GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AZ — Two hikers from Texas died after flooding hit Grand Canyon National Park over the weekend, and a third person from the same hiking group remains missing, park officials said Tuesday.
Officials identified the dead as John Guisti, 46, and Brent Rosenkranz, 42, both of Granbury, Texas. The missing hiker’s name had not been released.
The flooding followed a debris flow in the Bright Angel Creek area on Saturday and prompted a wide rescue effort in the inner canyon.
The Rescue
Dave Black, the park’s incident commander, said 82 people were rescued after the flooding trapped visitors in the canyon. Some hiked out on their own. Others were hoisted out by helicopter or rescue crews.
About 30 people were initially unaccounted for after the storm hit, based on permits that had been issued when flooding began. That number was later reduced as officials reached hikers, completed rescues and confirmed other people were safe.
Black said crews were still searching Tuesday and hoped better weather would help them reach the last missing person.
Search Effort
Rain and the threat of more flooding slowed the search on Sunday and Monday, officials said. Black said the next push would start with boots on the ground in the inner canyon early in the morning.
He said investigators cannot rule out that more people were affected. Some hikers may not have had permits, which makes the count harder to pin down.
Park officials asked anyone who has not heard from a loved one who may have been in the area to contact the park. People with information about hikers or backpackers near Bright Angel Canyon on Saturday were told to call NPS Investigative Services at 888-653-0009.
Storm Damage
Officials said the flooding appears to have been driven by the same moisture pattern that brought severe weather to parts of southern and central Utah over the weekend and into this week.
They also said the storm fell on a burn scar from last year’s Dragon Bravo Fire, which helped trigger the debris flow. The blast of water damaged or destroyed several bridges and other park infrastructure.
Brian Drapeaux, the park’s deputy superintendent, said a gauge installed after the fire alerted staff that water levels were rising. Rangers in the canyon also saw the danger and helped set evacuations in motion.
Closures
Grand Canyon officials have put Stage 4 water restrictions in place and closed overnight hotel accommodations after the damage to inner-canyon systems. The park said roughly 40% of the Transcanyon Waterline was damaged on Saturday.
The hotel closure affects El Tovar, Bright Angel Lodge, Maswik Lodge, Phantom Ranch and Delaware North’s Yavapai Lodge and Trailer Village. Hotels in Tusayan, Arizona, are not part of the closure because they are outside park operations.
Only dry camping is allowed for now, and South Rim campgrounds will not have spigot access. Water will be available only at the Mather Campground check-in kiosk, while bathroom faucets remain on.
Water Limits
Park officials are urging visitors and residents to cut water use while repairs continue. They are asking people to keep showers to five minutes or less, shut off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, and run dishwashers and laundry only with full loads.
Leaking fixtures should be reported to the proper offices. The closed areas include Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the full North Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Phantom Ranch.
Helicopters were used when weather allowed, helping evacuate 45 people on Saturday and more on Sunday. Officials said the search and recovery work will continue as conditions improve.
Water Limits
Park officials are urging visitors and residents to cut water use while repairs continue. They are asking people to keep showers to five minutes or less, shut off faucets while shaving or brushing teeth, and run dishwashers and laundry only with full loads.
Leaking fixtures should be reported to the proper offices. The closed areas include Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the full North Kaibab Trail from the trailhead to Phantom Ranch.
Helicopters were used when weather allowed, helping evacuate 45 people on Saturday and more on Sunday. Officials said the search and recovery work will continue as conditions improve.
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