Man Faces Charges for 153-Person Hike In Grand Canyon That Allegedly Violated COVID-19 Restrictions

Aerial view of the West Rim of the Grand Canyon in the Hualapai Indian Reservation near Peach Springs, Ariz., on Jan. 10, 2019. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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.