Tragic Month: Sixth Hiker Death in Grand Canyon National Park Shocks Authorities

In a tragic turn of events, authorities confirmed that the body of a hiker, an unidentified 60-year-old man from North Carolina, was discovered on a remote trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. This unfortunate incident marks the sixth reported death within the expansive park this month.

The Discovery and Circumstances

The hiker's body was located by search-and-rescue personnel via helicopter on a Wednesday, along a route connecting Lower Tapeats Camp and Deer Creek Camp, as reported by the National Park Service. The hiker was on a multi-day backpacking expedition when he went missing.

The Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center, responsible for emergency operations in the area, was alerted to the missing hiker on Tuesday afternoon. Reports indicated that a solo backpacker had failed to check in with a family member while attempting the Thunder River Trail-Deer Creek loop, according to Park Service sources.

The Trail

The Thunder River Trail-Deer Creek loop is an approximately 25-mile looping hike off the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. The trail, believed to have been carved out by gold miners in the late 1800s, features “booming streams of crystalline water.” However, it is also known for its southern exposure, contributing to its reputation for being “infamously hot,” as noted in a Park Service trail guide.