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Three hikers died from extreme heat in Grand Canyon National Park this month, park officials said.
The first victim, a 72-year-old man, died June 12 while hiking on the South Kaibab Trail, according to the National Park Service. Four days later, a 67-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman were found dead on the North Kaibab Trail. The hikers appeared to have “succumbed to symptoms of heat-related illness,” but the investigation into their deaths is ongoing, officials said.
The hikers died on trails in the park’s inner canyon, where temperatures can surpass 109 degrees Fahrenheit in the shade. All three were dead by the time rescuers arrived, and their bodies were transported to the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s office. Their names have not been released.
Both trails can be challenging, particularly during the hot summer months.
The South Kaibab Trail offers “little shade” and lends itself to “extreme heat during the summer months,” while the North Kaibab Trail is the “least visited and most difficult of the major inner canyon trails,” according to the National Park Service’s website.
“Hiking in Grand Canyon can be a challenge for anyone, especially during the heat of summer. The recent increase in heat-related incidents comes as summer temperatures in the Inner Canyon have reached dangerous levels, creating conditions that can quickly overwhelm hikers during the hottest parts of the day,” park officials said.
“Due to current conditions, the [National Park Service] is encouraging visitors to stay off Inner Canyon trails from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.,” they added.
The Grand Canyon drew in about 4.4 million visitors last year and is one of the most popular national parks. Falling is the leading cause of unintentional death at Grand Canyon National Park, followed by drowning and environmental factors, according to National Park Service data.
