Knowing where you can find shade on Grand Canyon trails might just save your life. Photo: Shade Tracker
More than 900 people have died in the Grand Canyon, including 16 in 2024 alone. While the causes vary, extreme heat is a persistent and deadly factor. Summertime temperatures in the inner canyon can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Statewide, Arizona recorded 645 heat-related deaths in 2023. In less than a month last summer, three hikers collapsed and died in the park in separate incidents.
Now, one Arizona couple is trying to make the Grand Canyon safer. Brian and Zeena Speciale, a husband-and-wife team based in Phoenix, have created a mobile-friendly online tool called Shade Tracker to help hikers avoid the intense sun on the canyon’s exposed trails.
Hiking in the Grand Canyon presents a unique and daunting challenge. Unlike traditional mountain hikes where the return trip is downhill, canyon hikes reverse this dynamic. Hikers descend more than a mile into the chasm, meaning the return trip is a strenuous uphill climb, often during the hottest part of the day. It can be difficult to gauge how much energy it will take to get back out, especially in case of an emergency, like a twisted ankle or heat exhaustion.
The National Park Service has installed graphic warning signs that depict people in distress along major trails to caution hikers. The idea is to deter visitors from overestimating their abilities. Still, every year, preventable accidents continue to occur.
Shade Tracker offers a new tool for safety. The interactive map shows shaded and unshaded areas of the trail, with the ability to adjust for time of day and season. Hikers can search for specific trails or landmarks to plan their route accordingly.
In hot summer months, the tool can help you avoid the sun during peak heat hours or find the nearest shaded spot in an emergency.
The Speciales developed the tool through their company, Hike Tribe, which they say exists to “help you hike your best.” Their platform emphasizes safety and preparation, especially in light of changes coming to the park in 2025.
This summer, the Bright Angel Trail – the safer, more shaded route from the South Rim – will be closed to hikers ascending from the Colorado River between May 15 and September 30. Park authorities will instead redirect traffic to the South Kaibab Trail, a route known for its lack of shade and water. The Speciales warn that this closure “could lead to a significant spike in heat-related emergencies,” and knowing where to find shade could be a matter of life or death
