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.”