Texas Hiker Dies in Grand Canyon Heat Wave

A 67-year-old man from Alvarado, Texas, died on July 8 while hiking the South Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park during an extreme heat warning. The hiker was attempting to reach the Colorado River for an overnight stay at Phantom Ranch but turned back at Skeleton Point and was found unresponsive on his return. Despite CPR efforts by bystanders and National Park Service personnel, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Park officials noted that temperatures on exposed trails can exceed 120°F in summer and strongly advise against hiking in the inner canyon during peak heat hours. The death is being investigated by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner. This incident occurred amid record-breaking heat across the Southwest, with millions under excessive heat warnings.