Olympia, WA man dies at Grand Canyon after lengthy hike

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. - An Olympia man died after a lengthy hike at Grand Canyon National Park, the National Park Service confirmed Monday.

What we know:

On May 15 at around 4:45 p.m., 74-year-old Dennis Smith was found unresponsive on the North Kaibab Trail, located on the North Rim side of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Despite efforts from bystanders and National Park Service (NPS) personnel to resuscitate Smith, he died at the scene.

Smith was known as an avid and experienced hiker, and was attempting a rim-to-rim hike from the South Rim to the North Rim, the NPS said. He died about a half-mile below the North Kaibab Trailhead.

Smith's cause of death is now under investigation by the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The North Kaibab Trail is one of the most difficult hiking routes at Grand Canyon National Park, considered challenging for both day hikers and rim-to-rim hikers.

The NPS is urging hikers to prepare for extreme heat, as temperatures in the inner canyon are expected to soon reach 100°F. Park rangers also advised against hiking during the hottest part of the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and attempting long distances, such as rim-to-rim.

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