Sixty-two hikers were airlifted out of the Grand Canyon after flash flooding struck on Saturday, according to the National Park Service (NPS). No injuries have been reported. The NPS is urging anyone with information about hikers or backpackers in the inner canyon along the Bright Angel Creek corridor to come forward.

Hikers Describe ‘Terrifying’ Experience

Nikki Baggs, 41, was among those evacuated from the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She described the incident as “terrifying” and said the weather changed suddenly from “a beautiful day” to chaos. Baggs and her two friends had dropped off their belongings at a cabin in Phantom Ranch, a remote lodge at the bottom of the canyon, when they decided to venture out to enjoy the nice weather. Soon after, a flood of water swept through the area.

As soon as the rain began, Baggs and her friends moved to higher ground. They initially took shelter at a picnic table but were later instructed by rangers to move again to a different ledge. They waited there with others for hours before being evacuated at around 21:30 local time.

Swift Response and Ongoing Risks

Baggs expressed gratitude for the swift response from park rangers, calling it a “really uniquely coordinated effort.” She and her friends had been looking forward to a steak dinner at Phantom Ranch but said they were now just relieved to be alive. From their vantage point, they watched as bridges were swept away by the floodwaters.

The NPS confirmed that the flooding caused significant damage in some areas and that trails in the region have been closed. The agency warned that more thunderstorms and heavy rainfall are expected on Sunday and Monday, which could lead to “additional flash flooding, debris flows, rockfall and changing trail and river conditions,” according to the NPS.

Efforts to Locate Missing Hikers

The NPS has not confirmed how many hikers remain unaccounted for but has urged people to contact them if they have information about anyone who may have been in the Bright Angel Creek corridor on Saturday. The park service is continuing to monitor the situation and assess the full impact of the flooding.

Baggs said the experience was a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the canyon and the importance of preparedness. “That’s what made us feel safe about all of it in an unsafe situation,” she said of the coordinated evacuation efforts.