Public Assistance Requested to Account for Individuals Following Grand Canyon Flash Flood

The National Park Service is asking the public to provide information for more than 20 individuals who may be missing or unaccounted for following a significant flash-flood event in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29.

Grand Canyon National Park staff, in coordination with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, are continuing evacuation and response efforts and working to account for individuals who may have been in the affected area.

The National Park Service is asking anyone who knows of hikers or backpackers who were in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor on August 29, as well as anyone who had a campground reservation in the affected corridor, to provide information to the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch (ISB). This includes individuals who may have been traveling along the North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch, staying at Bright Angel Campground, or traveling or staying in the area known as “the Box” north of Phantom Ranch.

If you know of anyone who may have been hiking or backpacking in these areas, please contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch Tip Line:

NPS ISB Tip Line: 888-653-0009

Email: e-mail us

When submitting a tip, please provide any information you have about the individual, including their name, approximate location, travel plans, group size, clothing or backpack description, or when they were last known to be in the area. You do not have to provide your name.

Additional info:

A significant flash-flood event occurred in Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area on August 29, beginning at approximately 2:30 p.m.

As of the morning of August 30, 62 individuals have been evacuated from Phantom Ranch and the lower North Kaibab Trail. Additional individuals are scheduled to be evacuated this morning from Cottonwood Campground and Phantom Ranch in coordination with the National Park Service and Arizona Department of Public Safety. Evacuees are being transported to the Maswik Lodge Cafeteria on the South Rim, where the American Red Cross is coordinating assistance. No injuries have been reported as of the latest available information.

Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground, the Phantom Ranch Canteen and cabins, and the entire North Kaibab Trail from the North Kaibab Trailhead to Phantom Ranch are closed until further notice. The Black Bridge and Silver Bridge crossing the Colorado River are also closed until further notice. There is currently no estimated reopening date for these areas and other inner canyon closures may be necessary. For the latest trail and closure information, visit the park's Key Hiking Messages webpage.

The flash flood resulted in significant impacts to infrastructure throughout Bright Angel Canyon. Nearly all footbridges spanning Bright Angel Creek were destroyed, eliminating hiker access across the creek. Grand Canyon National Park staff are continuing to assess damage to trails, bridges, utilities, facilities and other infrastructure.

The Colorado River is currently closed to river traffic until further notice due to metal structures and debris entering the river. River parties already in the canyon are receiving direction through river operations rangers and the Grand Canyon River Alert system. Visitors with upcoming river trips should contact their commercial outfitter or NPS River Permits for trip-specific information.

Additional thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are possible today and Monday, which could result in additional flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail and river conditions.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

U.S. Forest Service and National Forest Foundation launch the first National Forests and Grasslands Passport

The U.S. Forest Service and the National Forest Foundation (NFF) announced the launch of the National Forests and Grasslands Passport, a free digital experience designed to inspire visitors to discover more of America’s national forests and grasslands while earning commemorative digital badges along the way.

Available through the OuterSpatial mobile app, the National Forests and Grasslands Passport transforms every visit into a rewarding experience, allowing visitors to check in and earn exclusive digital badges for each national forest and national grassland they explore.

“As an avid fan of the National Park Service Passport Program, I am excited to announce the introduction of the digital U.S. Forest Service Passport Program. More than 164 million people visit our 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands each year bringing back with them stories, family memories and oftentimes plans to return or explore a new Forest Service destination,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “Now, millions of people are able to track their visits on their mobile devices through the National Forests and Grasslands Passport, and we are so excited to welcome the next generation of adventurers through this engaging, digital experience.”

Each national forest and grassland has its own specially designed badge, inspired by the iconic Forest Service entrance signs that have welcomed visitors for generations. The artwork reflects the landscapes, wildlife, plants, and other features that define each forest and grassland, creating a collection as distinctive as the places themselves.

Additionally, users will be able to view their total visit number ranked in a leaderboard with other challengers. Visitors are encouraged to log in all their past visits to unlock digital badges to build their own personal collection; however, only check-ins within the geographic coordinates of the national forest or grassland will earn a certified green checkmark.

To learn more about the National Forests and Grasslands Passport and to download, visit: www.nationalforests.org/passport



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

Colorado Parks and Wildlife investigating bear attack in Estes Park

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a bear attack after an adult bear entered an Estes Park home Thursday morning. Around 4:30 a.m., a bear broke into a house on the western side of town through an unlocked, closed window on the first floor. The homeowner, a woman in her 80s, reported to CPW officers she awoke to the bear in the kitchen on the second floor. The bear charged the woman, scratched her across the stomach and knocked her to the ground, according to the victim. She told officers the bear then left the house through the first floor window.

The victim called 911 and Larimer County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. No bear was found. She sought medical treatment for her abdominal injuries.

CPW has requested the assistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in locating the bear involved.

Heavy bear activity has been reported in the area, with multiple bears breaking into occupied homes and vehicles over the past few days. CPW officers have set traps to remove bears posing an immediate public safety risk.

“As we continue to navigate this extraordinary bear year, please continue to be vigilant in removing food and trash that may attract bears to your property,” said CPW Area Wildlife Manager Jason Duetsch. “Wildlife officers are working tirelessly to respond to an unprecedented number of bear reports, and we are counting on the community to help mitigate conflict."

Colorado is experiencing an unprecedented bear conflict year, largely due to drought conditions depleting natural food sources for bears. As they begin to enter hyperphagia, bear activity is expected to increase while they search for 20,000 calories per day before denning. Bears can take greater risks in seeking out food during this time, driving them into neighborhoods and populated areas.



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From Montana to New Mexico, the American Rockies stretch for more than a thousand miles. Within this spectacular mountain range are thousands of miles of hiking trails. With such an overwhelming number of options, how will you find and choose the most scenic and rewarding hikes?

Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Rocky Mountains takes all the guesswork out by focusing on some of the most amazing hikes across this range, and provides you with a handpicked list of options that will allow you to make the most of your trips in the Rockies:

Forest Service reduces Gold Mountain and Elk Fire closure areas

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests have reduced previously established closure areas associated with the Gold Mountain and Elk wildfires. Updated closure boundaries went into effect August 24 at 5 p.m. and remain in place through Dec. 1, unless conditions allow an earlier adjustment.

The reductions reopen several popular destinations while still restricting access where fire activity and firefighter operations require additional space.

Western Area (Gold Mountain Fire) - The western closure area is located east of U.S. Highway 550 in Ouray County. This area includes National Forest lands near Dexter Creek, Horse Thief Trail and portions of the Uncompahgre Wilderness. Roads, trails and recreation sites in the Silver Jack, Cimarron and Cow Creek drainages remain closed while firefighters continue work on the Gold Mountain Fire. See closure order for full detailed boundary description and map.

Eastern Area (Elk Fire) - The eastern closure area, associated with the Elk Fire, is located west of State Highway 149 and includes National Forest System lands around Big Blue Creek as well as portions of the Ridgestock Driveway and Uncompahgre Peak trail. Several high‑use destinations in this region are now open, including Nellie Creek Road and the Nellie Creek Trailhead, the Uncompahgre Peak Trail and Uncompahgre Peak itself, as well as Wetterhorn Peak, the Wetterhorn Peak Trail and Matterhorn Peak. These locations are accessible from the south and east and are outside the adjusted closure footprint. See closure order for full detailed boundary description and map.

Several recreation sites remain closed under the updated order, including Beaver Lake Campground and Fishing Site, Big Cimarron Campground, Cimarron Forks Camping Area, Clear Lake/Rowdy Lake Trailhead, Courthouse Trailhead, Dexter Creek Trailhead, East Fork Trailhead and East Fork dispersed camping, Independence Trailhead, Jackson Lookout/Cabin, the Middle Fork Cimarron dispersed camping area, Owl Creek Pass dispersed camping, Owl Creek Vista Trailhead, Silver Jack boating, camping and picnic sites, Vista Point Trailhead, West Fork Trailhead and the West Fork Cimarron dispersed camping area. For full list of roads, trails and recreation sites, please see full closure order here.

The GMUG National Forests are currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

On this date in hiking history: The Three Musketeers complete the Long Trail

The following is an excerpt from Ramble On: A History of Hiking.

Accounts of Green Mountain Club outings throughout its first several decades show that women participated in tramps as often as men. This included thru-hikes of the Long Trail in Vermont, which was completed in 1930 as the first long-distance footpath in the United States. Though the final 10-mile segment leading to the Canadian border was only a blazed route at the time, Kathleen Norris, Hilda Kurth and Catherine Robbins became the second group of trampers to thru-hike the entire 272-mile trail in 1927. It took 32 days for the “Three Musketeers,” as they affectionately became known as, to complete their extended trek. During the trip, the three young ladies became media sensations, as newspapers across America covered their story. Their feat would inspire many other females to become “end-to-enders” in the years that followed.

The Three Musketeers: When they needed a rest they would pull out a ukulele and sing college prep songs until they were re-energized:

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Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.