Three hikers died in Grand Canyon National Park after two separate heat-related incidents on Inner Canyon trails, according to a June 19 news release from the National Park Service.
The incidents happened just four days apart, on June 12 and June 16, as summer temperatures in the Inner Canyon reached dangerous levels.
According to NPS, park rangers and emergency personnel responded to both incidents, but all three hikers were found deceased when responders arrived.
The park said temperatures in the Inner Canyon can exceed 109°F in the shade during midday hours.
Three Deaths Reported on South Kaibab and North Kaibab Trails
The first incident happened on June 12 on the South Kaibab Trail.
NPS said a 72-year-old man “succumbed to symptoms of heat-related illness” while hiking the trail.
The second incident happened on June 16 on the North Kaibab Trail.
In that case, a 67-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman also appear to have succumbed to symptoms of heat-related illness, according to the park. NPS said that investigation is still ongoing.
Despite a rapid response and aerial support, all three individuals were deceased when responders arrived.
The hikers were transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office. NPS said no additional information is available at this time.
Park Warns Visitors to Stay Off Inner Canyon Trails From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Following the incidents, Grand Canyon National Park is urging visitors to avoid Inner Canyon trails during the hottest part of the day.
“Due to current conditions, the NPS is encouraging visitors to stay off Inner Canyon trails from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” the park said in its release.
That warning is especially relevant during the summer, when conditions below the rim can be much hotter than what visitors experience at the top.
Grand Canyon’s summer hiking guidance says daytime temperatures in the Inner Canyon can exceed 110°F, and hiking during the heat of the day is strongly discouraged.
The South Kaibab Trail is especially exposed, with little shade and no water available along the trail. The North Kaibab Trail also drops deep into the canyon, where the heat can become dangerous as the day goes on.
The Inner Canyon Can Be Much Hotter Than the Rim
One of the biggest dangers at the Grand Canyon is that temperatures change dramatically as hikers descend.
A visitor may start at the rim in warm but manageable conditions, then reach the Inner Canyon, where temperatures are far higher.
That can create a serious problem for hikers who underestimate the return trip.
Hiking into the canyon means the easier part often comes first. The climb back out is steeper, slower, and often happens when the body is already tired.
In extreme heat, that combination can become dangerous very quickly.
NPS Urges Hikers to Plan Around Heat
The National Park Service warns summer hikers to plan carefully, check current trail conditions, and avoid the hottest parts of the day.
For anyone hiking below the rim, NPS recommends carrying water, electrolyte replacement, salty snacks, food, a first aid kit, a map, sun protection, proper footwear, a flashlight, and emergency signaling tools.
The park also warns that rescue may not be immediate.
On its summer hiking page, NPS says assistance can be delayed because of limited staff, the number of rescue calls, employee safety requirements, and limited helicopter flying ability during extreme heat or bad weather.
That means hikers need to be prepared to handle emergencies on their own until help can arrive.
What Visitors Should Know Before Hiking Grand Canyon in Summer
Grand Canyon is one of the most popular national parks in the country, but summer hiking below the rim is not the same as a short walk to an overlook.
The park’s main warning is simple: avoid Inner Canyon trails between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during dangerous heat.
Visitors planning a hike should check the park’s current conditions before heading out, know where water is available, and turn around before heat or fatigue becomes a problem.
The deaths remain under investigation, but the park’s message to visitors is clear.
Summer heat in the Inner Canyon can overwhelm hikers, and midday is the most dangerous time to be below the rim.
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