At least 20 individuals remain missing or unaccounted for following flash floods that deluged a remote section of the Grand Canyon. Among the affected areas is a historic lodge located near the bottom of the site, officials revealed on Sunday.
The National Park Service has requested information about anyone who might have been hiking or backpacking along Bright Angel Creek. This call to action also includes campers with reservations at Phantom Ranch or Bright Angel Campground. Efforts are underway to locate travelers who could be stranded along the North Kaibab Trail.
By Sunday morning, authorities had evacuated 62 people from Phantom Ranch and the lower portion of the North Kaibab Trail. Further evacuations from Phantom Ranch and the Cottonwood Campground were scheduled.
Park officials noted that footbridges along Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, cutting off hiker access across the creek. Additionally, certain Colorado River crossings have been closed pending damage assessment. Remnants of stone bridge pylons are visible along Bright Angel Creek after a flash flood on August 29 destroyed the footbridge.
“The flash flood resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon,” stated the National Park Service. “Grand Canyon National Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities, and other infrastructure.”
Phantom Ranch, accessible only via hiking, raft, or mule, has been a sought-after destination in the Grand Canyon since its inception in 1922. Traffic on the Colorado River was also halted due to the threat posed by floating debris.
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