Search Underway for Missing Hiker in Grand Canyon

SUPAI, Ariz. (AP) — Nearly two days after she was swept away by a flash flood, search and rescue teams at Grand Canyon National Park are actively looking for an Arizona woman, as reported by her sister on social media Saturday.

Chenoa Nickerson, a 33-year-old from Gilbert, was hiking along Havasu Creek, located about half a mile (800 meters) from its confluence with the Colorado River, when the flood hit on Thursday afternoon.

According to the National Park Service, Nickerson had been camping overnight at a site near the village of Supai, deep within the Havasupai reservation, which is situated in a gorge off the Grand Canyon.

The flood trapped several hikers both upstream and downstream of Beaver Falls, one of the area’s beautiful waterfalls that attract tourists from all over the globe. This region is known for its stunning blue-green waters, which can turn a muddy brown during floods.

Other hikers managed to reach the village, approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the campground, where they awaited helicopter evacuations. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has activated the National Guard, using Blackhawk helicopters, to assist in evacuating hikers from the village.

Tamara Morales, Nickerson’s sister, acknowledged the National Guard’s efforts and expressed gratitude for the National Park Service rescue teams, who are navigating challenging terrain with limited communication while searching tirelessly for her sister.

“We are incredibly thankful for your efforts and recognize the challenges you are facing,” Morales shared on Facebook.

The Havasupai Tribe’s reservation is one of the most remote areas in the continental United States, accessible only by foot, mule, or helicopter. Following the flooding, the Tribal Council closed the steep trail leading to the reservation and advised visitors with permits to refrain from coming through Sunday.

Rochelle Tilousi, a member of the Havasupai Tribe, mentioned that helicopter evacuations began after critical bridges were washed away, prompting rescuers to search the area around the towering waterfalls.

“Our tourist office, local men, and first responders are all on the ground near Mooney Falls and the Colorado River, checking for hikers,” she stated.

Morales shared a photo of her sister smiling at the base of a steep desert canyon, wearing athletic clothes similar to those she had on when she went missing, along with what appeared to be a fitness tracker on her wrist.

To aid in the search, the National Park Service deployed motorized boats on the Colorado River, downstream from Havasu Creek, where the floodwaters swept Nickerson away. Joelle Baird, a spokeswoman for the Grand Canyon National Park, noted that the search efforts also included ground teams and aerial patrols.

Abbie Fink, a spokeswoman for the Havasupai Tribe, reported that the flooding reached the tribal village, making it difficult to assess damage to creekside campgrounds due to an impassable trail.

On Saturday, helicopters resumed the gradual evacuation of around 60 tourists. As they were airlifted out, hikers shared images of the roaring floodwaters and a destroyed footbridge.

Reservations for visitors have been suspended through Sunday, according to Fink’s announcement.

“We ask for your patience as we prioritize the safety and well-being of both tourists and Tribal members,” the tribe’s tourism office stated on Facebook.