Hiker illegally led a massive 139-person group through the Grand Canyon, officials say

No, 139 people can’t hike across the Grand Canyon at the same time, park officials said.

A Washington man pleaded guilty to violating group size limitations on a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike on Friday, March 25, the National Park Service said.

The man organized a 139-person hiking group to go through the inner canyon without a permit on Oct. 24, 2020, park officials said.

“The inner canyon is defined as the area below the Tonto Platform from the South Rim and below Manzanita Resthouse from the North Rim,” park officials said in a Thursday, March 31, news release. “Prior to his trip, (the man) was made aware that his group required a permit.”

The man was ordered by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona to serve a two-year supervised probation period. He is also banned from all national parks, monuments and federal lands in Arizona.

Only between 12 and 30 hikers have been allowed on organized rim-to-rim hikes since 2014, according to the National Park Service. Nonprofit groups are also allowed to organize hikes with a permit.

Park officials added the group limitations after day use increased and created “increased user conflicts.”

Rangers also noticed other issues when large groups were on the trail, including groups leaving behind trash or gear. Park officials also noticed increases in human waste along the trail and crowds at trailheads and bathrooms.

Search and rescue operations have also increased when hikers are unprepared or become injured.

“In 2021, Grand Canyon National Park Rangers responded to a total of 411 search and rescue incidents which broke a 20-year record for the park,” officials said. “Park rangers encourage all visitors who are planning a hike in Grand Canyon National Park to learn more about trail courtesy practices that leave no trace and how to hike smart.”

This story was originally published March 31, 2022 at 1:29 PM with the headline "Hiker illegally led a massive 139-person group through the Grand Canyon, officials say."