ARIZONA NEWS

Hiker found dead along Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon

Feb 21, 2023, 5:15 PM

Shafts of light pass over the Bright Angel Fault inside the Grand Canyon  early June 10, 2009 in th...

Shafts of light pass over the Bright Angel Fault inside the Grand Canyon early June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — A 56-year-old hiker died on Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park last week, authorities said.

The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call of an unresponsive hiker on Friday at approximately 3 p.m., the National Park Service announced in a press release.

NPS search and rescue personnel located the man from Pewaukee, Wisc. below Havasupai Gardens. Crews pronounced the individual dead on the scene.

He was attempting to hike to the Colorado River and back in one day, NPS said.

NPS and the Coconino County Medical Examiner opened an investigation into the fatality.

Bright Angel Trail is the most popular path into the Grand Canyon. It is a 7.8-mile trail from the rim to the water and has a 4,460-foot elevation change.

The national park does not recommend hiking down to the river and back in one day due to the distance and dramatic changes in elevation and temperature.

No additional information was made immediately available.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Split image showing the entry to the Avondale Aquatic Center on the left and an aerial view of the ...

Kevin Stone

Avondale Aquatic Center to make a splash in West Valley with pools, slides, lazy river, more

The Avondale Aquatic Center is getting ready to make a splash with pools, water slides, a lazy river and more.

1 hour ago

Seven-year-old Israel Maldonado was last seen in Phoenix on April 17, 2024, with his father. (Arizo...

KTAR.com

Police looking for boy last seen with father, who allegedly assaulted child’s mother in Phoenix

Authorities are searching for a 7-year-old boy who was last seen with his father Wednesday after the man allegedly assaulted the child's mother.

4 hours ago

Split image with a band playing in front of a Mesa mural on the left and an aerial view of the Mesa...

Kevin Stone

7th annual Mesa Music Festival gives emerging artists their turn in spotlight

Dozens of emerging musical artists will show off their chops this week during the seventh annual Mesa Music Festival.

6 hours ago

The Arizona Department of Transportation asked the public for input on Wednesday. (File photo by Da...

KTAR.com

ADOT seeking public input to update Arizona’s highway safety strategic plans

The Arizona Department of Transportation wants the public to share their thoughts on the future of the state's highways.

6 hours ago

Fans participate in the NCAA Men's Final Four Dribble at Fan Fest on April 7, 2024 in Phoenix, Ariz...

Damon Allred

Phoenix’s Final Four Fan Fest achieves Zero Waste mark

Final Four Fan Fest was a success at the Phoenix Convention Center, as it reached a Zero Waste mark determined by waste diversion.

6 hours ago

Ernie the tamandua is the Phoenix Zoo's newest animal...

KTAR.com

Phoenix Zoo welcomes newest resident, a tamandua named Ernie

The Phoenix Zoo invited the public to come and visit its newest resident, a young tamandua named Ernie, in a Wednesday announcement.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DESERT INSTITUTE FOR SPINE CARE

Desert Institute for Spine Care is the place for weekend warriors to fix their back pain

Spring has sprung and nothing is better than March in Arizona. The temperatures are perfect and with the beautiful weather, Arizona has become a hotbed for hikers, runners, golfers, pickleball players and all types of weekend warriors.

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

Sciatica pain is treatable but surgery may be required

Sciatica pain is one of the most common ailments a person can face, and if not taken seriously, it could become one of the most harmful.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Avoid a potential emergency and get your home’s heating and furnace safety checked

With the weather getting colder throughout the Valley, the best time to make sure your heating is all up to date is now. 

Hiker found dead along Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon