UPDATE: Hiker Remains Missing in Western Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – On Saturday June, 18 at approximately 3 pm the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting a missing person in the extreme western portion of Grand Canyon National Park, near Kelly Tanks in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

Floyd E. Roberts III, 52, of Treasure Island, FL was reported missing by a member of his hiking group. Roberts is described as 5'11" tall, 170 lbs, with gray hair. He was last seen wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, Nike shoes, and a blue Lowe Alpine backpack. Roberts and his party were on day one of a multi-day backpacking trip.

The National Park Service is conducting a Search and Rescue operation. A missing persons investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time. Any individual with information about Floyd Roberts should call the National Park Service information line at 928 638-7300.

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Fifty-two year old Floyd E. Roberts III of Treasure Island, FL, remains missing in western Grand Canyon. Today's responding resources include seven ground teams and the National Park Service (NPS) helicopter. Searchers from Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument and Mohave County are helping the Grand Canyon National Park Search and Rescue team. The NPS is also consulting with Coconino County Search and Rescue.

The area the team is searching is rugged and covered in thick brush. Transportation to the area takes several hours. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning in effect through Wednesday;therefore, safety of the search team is a priority. A base camp has been set up near Kelly Tanks with shade shelters, water, and other resources for the search teams.

Roberts is described as 5'11" tall, 170 lbs, with gray hair. He was last seen wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, multi-colored mesh Nike sneakers, a blue Lowe Alpine backpack, and white-rimmed sunglasses with orange lenses. Roberts and his party were on day one of a multi-day backpacking trip.

On Saturday June, 18 at approximately 3 pm the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a call reporting Roberts missing in the extreme western portion of Grand Canyon, near Kelly Tanks in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

The National Park Service is conducting a Search and Rescue operation. A missing persons investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time and will be limited during the course of the search. Any individual with information about Floyd Roberts should call the National Park Service information line at 928-638-7300.

Grand Canyon, Ariz. – Floyd E. Roberts III of Treasure Island, FL, remains missing in a remote area of western Grand Canyon. Responding rescue teams and resources to date include ground teams from Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Mohave County, Coconino County Search and Rescue, and aerial support from Mesa Verde Helitack Crew and aircraft. The search area covers over 10 square miles and is in an extremely remote, rugged area of the canyon. Transportation to the area takes several hours and has made rescue operations and communication a challenge.

Roberts is described as a 52 year old male, 170 lbs, 5'11" tall, brown/grey hair, brown eyes and was last seen wearing a red long-sleeved shirt, blue denim jeans, multi-colored mesh Nike Free sneakers, large blue Lowe Alpine Contour backpack, and white-rimmed sunglasses with orange lenses.

Floyd Roberts became separated from companions during extreme heat conditions on June 17, 2016 at approximately 4:45 pm. The group planned a 9 day hike on the Shivwits Plateau that would exit the canyon via Separation Canyon. He was last seen near Kelly Tank heading towards Trail Canyon/214 Mile Canyon (Shanley Spring area) towards the river, but may have descended into 209 Mile Canyon.

Following an intensive 6 day search effort the incident remains unresolved. With no additional clues to guide search efforts, the search will be scaled back to a continuous, but limited mode in which rangers and pilots will continue to search for clues when in the area. In addition, flyers with Robert's picture and description remain posted at various South Rim locations and in the search area at Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

The National Park Service conducted a Search and Rescue operation. A missing persons investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.Any individual with information about Floyd Roberts should call the National Park Service Dispatch line at 928-638-7805.