Grand Canyon Hike Organizer Violated Covid-19 Restrictions, Officials Say
Prosecutors said at least 150 people showed up, astounding rangers and overwhelming visitors who struggled to steer clear of the hikers, many of whom were not wearing masks or social distancing.
At least 100 people from 12 different states had signed up on Facebook for a one-day hike in October that was organized in violation of pandemic restrictions, officials said.Credit.Adriana Zehbrauskas for The New York Times
May 8, 2021Updated 1:17 p.m. ET
The organizer of a Grand Canyon adventure described it as a chance to trek along the South Rim, “one of the greatest hikes in the planet.”
Man Faces Charges for 153-Person Hike In Grand Canyon That Allegedly Violated COVID-19 Restrictions
A Washington state man faces federal charges after allegedly organizing a large group hike at the Grand Canyon in violation of COVID-19 restrictions and other rules, according to court documents.
Joseph Don Mount took around 153 people to the canyon in October for a rim-to-rim hike, according to a complaint filed this week in U.S. Magistrate Court in Flagstaff, Arizona.
During the pandemic, rim-to-rim group sizes through Grand Canyon were limited to 11 people, down from an earlier cap of 30.
U.S. Park Ranger Timothy Hopp alleged in an affidavit that Mount “knowingly and willfully encouraged participants to travel through the canyon despite advisements from park officials to the contrary, provided participants with tips and information to circumvent park laws, and denied leading any large-scale rim-to-rim groups to investigating park officials.”
Man faces federal charges for organizing 153-person trip to Grand Canyon
Julie Jacobson/AP
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2013, file photo, the Grand Canyon National Park is covered in the morning sunlight as seen from a helicopter near Tusayan, Ariz. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
and last updated 2021-05-07 16:25:55-04
A man is facing federal charges for allegedly organizing a 153-person hike through Grand Canyon National Park in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
Having a group that large is not allowed inside the park even before pandemic safety measures. Tour groups were limited to 30 people prior to March 2020, to help preserve the natural beauty of the park and reduce foot traffic. During the pandemic, groups were limited to 11 people.
Man accused of organizing illegal 153-person Grand Canyon hike
A Washington state man is facing federal charges after he was accused of organizing an illegal 153-person hike through Grand Canyon National Park in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Many of the hikers were not wearing masks and did not practice social distancing, according to a federal affidavit.
Authorities said Joseph Don Mount spent months planning and organizing the Oct. 24 hike, despite park officials repeatedly telling him it was illegal and violated their Covid-19 restrictions.
According to the affidavit, group sizes were limited to no more than 30 people prior to the pandemic. Due to Covid-19, groups were limited to 11. The park also does not allow larger groups to break into smaller ones to accommodate sizes, the affidavit states.
By Bill Galluccio
May 7, 2021
A Washington state man is facing multiple federal charges for flouting coronavirus rules by organizing a massive hike through the Grand Canyon. Officials said that
Joseph Don Mount spent months planning the hike, which included up to 153 people from across the country.
He advertised the excursion on Facebook and was charging $95 per person, which included a bus to and from the Grand Canyon. Somebody saw Mount s posts online and sent screenshots to park rangers, concerned that the hike would violate the 11-person limit for groups who want to hike through the national park.
Ranger
Timothy Hopp called Mount and warned him that his planned hike not only violates the current 11-person limit put in place during the coronavirus pandemic but would also be in violation of the normal limit of 30 people.