Missing hiker highlights Grand Canyon's annual search challenge
Missing hiker adds to Grand Canyon's 200+ annual missing-person cases.
Event / Disaster
Grand Canyon Flash Flood
A catastrophic flash flood on August 29 in Grand Canyon National Park killed two hikers, left one missing, and forced the rescue of approximately 82 people. Human remains were discovered on September 14 near Crystal Rapid, with identification pending. The flooding caused extensive damage to infrastructure, trails, and campgrounds, with water levels spiking 9 feet.
1 reported locations
Daily activity
3 articles0 articles
2026-09-16 to 2026-11-05 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 16 Sept, 02:45 UTC
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What happened
Human remains discovered in Grand Canyon inner gorge near Crystal Rapid
Park rangers found human remains on September 14 near Crystal Rapid on the Colorado River in the inner gorge of Grand Canyon National Park, approximately 10 miles downstream from Phantom Ranch. The remains were recovered by NPS law enforcement rangers and transferred to Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office in Flagstaff for analysis.
Grand Canyon campgrounds and trails closed following August 29 flooding
Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, and the North Kaibab Trail were closed following the August 29 flash flooding. Multiple trails were flooded and remained impassable. The flooding also knocked out the Transcanyon Waterline, forcing Stage 4 water restrictions on the South Rim.
Flash flooding in Grand Canyon kills two hikers on August 29
Monsoon storms triggered catastrophic flash flooding in Bright Angel Canyon on August 29 around 2:30 p.m., killing two hikers: John Giusti, 46, and Brent Rosenkranz, 42, both from Granbury, Texas. The flooding swept away footbridges, damaged trails and campgrounds, destroyed infrastructure, and left one hiker missing.
Grand Canyon records 200-220 missing-person reports annually
Grand Canyon National Park consistently records one of the highest numbers of missing-person reports among U.S. national parks, with an estimated 200 to 220 reports annually. Records from 2018 through early 2023 show more than 1,100 reports, though most are resolved quickly. Only a small fraction of cases result in long-term disappearances or fatalities.
Approximately 82 people rescued from Grand Canyon during August 29 flooding
Emergency rescue teams rescued approximately 82 people from the canyon during the August 29 flash flooding, with some evacuations conducted by helicopter from the Bright Angel Creek area, Phantom Ranch, and Cottonwood campgrounds. The American Red Cross assisted in evacuating residents to the South Rim.
Timothy Allen Smith remains missing from August 29 Grand Canyon flood
Timothy Allen Smith, 53, was swept away during the August 29 flash flooding in Grand Canyon and remains missing. As of September 15, officials were still searching for him. His wife acknowledged the discovery of remains on September 14 in a Facebook post.
Thomas Daniel Gibbs missing from Grand Canyon since July 2025
Thomas Daniel Gibbs, 35, of Freehold, New Jersey, vanished after heading into the Grandview Trail and Horseshoe Mesa area in July 2025. He was last heard from on July 22, 2025. His Tesla Cybertruck was found parked at Grandview Point on the South Rim. Despite extensive search efforts and public appeals, he remains missing.
Identity and cause of death of Grand Canyon remains unknown
The person's identity, cause of death, and manner of death remain unknown pending investigation by Coconino County Medical Examiner's Office. The remains have not been identified, though officials have not confirmed whether they belong to Timothy Allen Smith, a 53-year-old hiker missing since the August 29 flash flood.
Colorado River water levels spiked 9 feet during Grand Canyon flash flood
Water gauges along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon spiked by as much as 9 feet as rainfall from monsoon storms flowed through the canyon on August 29. Despite only 1 to 1.75 inches of rainfall in the hardest-hit areas, one campground reported one foot of standing water.
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2 alternative perspectives
Human remains found in Grand Canyon as missing hiker search continues
Human remains found in Grand Canyon; identity unknown; one hiker still missing.
Two killed, 82 rescued as Colorado River surges during canyon flooding
Flash flood kills two, rescues 82 in Grand Canyon; river surges 9 feet.