The Disappearance of Glen and Bessie Hyde (Grand Canyon honeymooners): Examining the Enduring Mystery
Glen and Bessie Hyde vanished without a trace in 1928 while attempting to navigate the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon during their honeymoon. The newlywed couple set out on a journey that was both adventurous and ambitious, hoping to set a speed record and possibly gain fame.
Their boat was eventually found adrift and intact, but there was no sign of Glen or Bessie. The lack of evidence and recovery of their bodies has generated decades of speculation, making their story one of the most enduring unsolved mysteries of the American Southwest. Readers are drawn to the intrigue surrounding their disappearance and how a dream adventure transformed into a cautionary legend.
Background of Glen and Bessie Hyde
Glen and Bessie Hyde became notable figures due to their mysterious disappearance while traversing the Grand Canyon in 1928. Their journey captured public intrigue because of their unusual honeymoon plans, personal backgrounds, and ambitious goals.
The 1928 Honeymoon Adventure
In the fall of 1928, Glen and Bessie Hyde set out on a honeymoon trip that would take them down the Green and Colorado Rivers through the Grand Canyon. They planned this journey using a homemade wooden sweep scow, intending to navigate the dangerous rapids together.
The Hydes started their expedition in late October 1928. Along their route, they were seen and photographed by other river travelers and hikers. Their last confirmed sighting was on November 18, 1928, after which no one heard from them again.
Their boat was later found adrift and intact on the river, with supplies still on board. The couple's disappearance remains one of the most enduring mysteries in the history of Grand Canyon exploration.
Personal Histories
Glen Hyde was from Idaho and had previous experience as a river rafter and boat builder. He had navigated challenging sections of the Snake and Salmon Rivers, developing skills that proved valuable for their planned journey.
Bessie Hyde (née Louise), married Glen in the spring of 1928. She came from Parkersburg, West Virginia, and prior to the trip, had little experience with river travel or intense outdoor adventure.
For both Glen and Bessie, marriage marked the beginning of a new chapter. They decided to undertake the river journey soon after their wedding, making it an adventurous start to their life together.
Ambitions and Motivations
The Hydes were motivated by more than a typical honeymoon. Glen hoped to set a record by having Bessie become the first woman to successfully run the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
They aimed to attract public attention to their accomplishment, possibly leveraging the feat into a lecture tour or book deal. The couple prepared carefully, with Glen crafting their sweep scow and meticulously planning their supplies and route.
Their motivations included a combination of adventure, ambition, and the desire for recognition within the outdoor and adventure communities. Bessie's willingness to participate demonstrated her commitment to Glen and her openness to unprecedented challenges.
The Grand Canyon Expedition
Glen and Bessie Hyde planned a daring honeymoon adventure by attempting to navigate the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1928. Their journey involved considerable risks, unique preparation, and a specialized boat designed by Glen himself.
Planning the River Journey
Glen Hyde, an Idaho farmer with prior river experience, sought to achieve a speed record for boating through the Grand Canyon and wanted Bessie to become the first woman to complete the trip. The couple prepared extensively, gathering maps, food supplies, and essential gear for survival amid unpredictable river conditions.
To improve their chances, Glen contacted experienced river runners and referenced previous expedition logs. He charted a course starting from Green River, Utah, down through the perilous Colorado River and into the Grand Canyon. The goal was ambitious, as commercial river running was not yet established in the region, and little support or rescue was available.
Their timeline aimed to complete the journey before winter storms and low temperatures increased the risks. They informed friends and family of their expected route and schedule, anticipating media attention if successful. This meticulous planning underscored their awareness of the Grand Canyon’s demanding environment.
The Scow and Its Design
Glen designed and built a scow, a flat-bottomed wooden boat, for the expedition. Measuring approximately 20 feet long and 7 feet wide, the scow was constructed for stability and to withstand strong river currents. The flat hull and sturdy sides were meant to absorb impacts from rocks and rapids, which were common in the unpredictable Colorado River.
The craft included compartments to store food, camping equipment, and personal items. Unlike modern rafts or kayaks, the scow lacked watertight compartments and advanced safety features; instead, it relied on weight distribution and a simple steering oar for navigation. Glen’s design was influenced by earlier river expeditions but was customized to accommodate two people on a lengthy voyage.
Despite resourceful construction, this type of boat presented significant risks. Heavy and hard to maneuver, the scow was challenging in technical rapids found throughout the Grand Canyon. The decision to use this vessel reflected both Glen’s engineering confidence and a limited range of river-running options available in the 1920s.
Timeline of the Disappearance
Glen and Bessie Hyde vanished during their 1928 honeymoon expedition through the Grand Canyon, leaving behind a well-documented but troubling timeline. Their journey remains a source of enduring mystery for historians and river enthusiasts.
Final Sightings
Glen and Bessie Hyde set out in October 1928 in a homemade scow, aiming to make Bessie the first woman to run the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The last confirmed sighting occurred on November 18, 1928, near Hermit Rapid, where they spoke with river photographer Emery Kolb.
Kolb noted the Hydes were in good spirits and prepared for the river ahead. They intended to complete their trip by reaching Needles, California, by early December. No evidence surfaced of them being in trouble, nor were any distress signals or calls for help documented by observers along the canyon.
This final encounter with Kolb is vital, as it marks the last direct human contact with the couple. In the days following, no one reported seeing them further downriver, fueling speculation about whether they had sunk without a sound.
Discovery of the Abandoned Scow
On December 19, 1928, searchers found the Hydes’ scow adrift at river mile 237 below the Grand Canyon. The boat was upright and still contained supplies, records, and personal belongings, including sweaters and diaries belonging to the couple.
A list of notable findings within the boat includes:
Maps with notes up to Mile 226
Unopened food supplies
Life jackets on board
There were no visible signs of struggle or capsizing. The boat’s orderly state suggested the Hydes had not planned to leave it suddenly, increasing the sense of mystery and raising questions about whether they had perished in the river or possibly left the vessel on their own accord. Detectives and river experts at the time could not find any conclusive evidence to explain how the couple had vanished so completely.
Search Efforts and Key Figures
After Glen and Bessie Hyde vanished on the Colorado River in 1928, searchers launched a coordinated effort to find the missing couple. The case drew attention in the Grand Canyon region and involved several individuals familiar with river navigation and the canyon.
The Search Party Efforts
A search was organized soon after the Hydes were reported missing, involving park rangers, volunteers, and river guides. The main focus was the stretch of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, where their last confirmed sighting occurred at Badger Canyon on November 18, 1928.
Aerial surveys were conducted to scan for signs of the couple or their boat. On November 30, searchers found the Hyde's scow floating upright near river mile 232. Their personal belongings and supplies were still on board, but there was no trace of Glen or Bessie.
Efforts included examining riverbanks, searching downstream areas, and interviewing other river travelers. Despite weeks of searching by both land and air, no bodies were recovered, and direct evidence explaining their disappearance was never found.
Role of Emery Kolb and Ellsworth Kolb
Emery Kolb and his brother Ellsworth Kolb were among the most experienced river runners and photographers in the Grand Canyon at the time. Emery Kolb played a pivotal role in the search, offering his expertise and resources from his rimside studio and home.
The Kolb brothers assisted with logistics, provided photographic records of the couple, and shared crucial observations. Emery Kolb helped organize ground-based search teams and coordinated with park authorities, leveraging his detailed knowledge of canyon trails and conditions.
Ellsworth Kolb contributed by guiding searchers through treacherous river sections and helping identify possible spots where the Hydes may have encountered trouble. Their involvement ensured that the search was as thorough as possible, but ultimately, the fate of Glen and Bessie Hyde remained unresolved.
Investigations and Theories
The disappearance of Glen and Bessie Hyde during their 1928 Grand Canyon expedition has remained an enduring unsolved mystery. No bodies or clear evidence were ever found, resulting in ongoing debate about what really happened.
Official Theories
Authorities conducted searches after the Hydes were reported missing. Their scow was discovered adrift and intact, with supplies still aboard, near River Mile 232. This suggested an accident occurred after they passed Badger Canyon, their last confirmed sighting.
Investigators ruled out foul play or robbery due to the untouched supplies and lack of struggle signs. Hypothermia, capsizing, or being swept away in rapids remain probable causes. The official view generally accepts that the couple perished accidentally in the river's challenging conditions.
Despite intensive efforts, searchers never uncovered physical remains. The case remains open, with no direct evidence supporting suicide or intentional disappearance.
Speculation and Rumors
The strange fate of the Hyde couple gave rise to a variety of rumors and alternative theories. Some speculated Glen was abusive and that Bessie may have killed him in self-defense, then vanished to start a new life.
Over the decades, stories have emerged of an older woman at the canyon claiming to be Bessie Hyde, fueling speculation of survival. Others believe suicide or murder were possible, though no concrete evidence substantiates these claims.
The Hydes' story is now a frequent topic among Grand Canyon guides and historians. Its combination of romance, adventure, and mystery continues to invite speculation and debate in popular culture.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
The disappearance of Glen and Bessie Hyde in the Grand Canyon has left a lasting mark on both regional folklore and the whitewater community. Stories of their fate have influenced local legends and shaped river-running culture for generations.
Grand Canyon Lore and Haunted Stories
The story of the Hydes is deeply woven into the Grand Canyon’s haunted legends. Guides and visitors sometimes share tales of a “ghost woman,” believed by some to be Bessie, seen near old campsites along the river. These ghost stories often arise at night around campfires and have become part of the oral tradition for many canyon travelers.
Rumors and speculation about their fate persist. Over the decades, some claimed to encounter mysterious figures or odd sights in remote parts of the canyon, linking them to the lost honeymooners. The Hydes’ abandoned boat—which was found undamaged—and their vanished belongings have intensified intrigue and cemented their story among canyon mysteries.
Influence on River Running Community
Glen and Bessie Hyde’s ill-fated expedition became a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration for river runners. Their attempt was ambitious, as Bessie aimed to be the first woman to run the Grand Canyon’s full length by boat. This feat, and the unresolved outcome, left an enduring message about preparation and respect for the river’s dangers.
Their disappearance is often referenced in discussions of river safety and the evolution of boating practices. Early river explorers and modern guides alike recount the Hydes’ legacy, using their story to emphasize the unpredictable and sometimes hazardous nature of navigating the Grand Canyon’s rapids. Today, the legend endures at every level of river-running culture.
Notable Individuals and Works
Numerous writers and storytellers have examined the Hyde disappearance, providing new interpretations and compiling the available evidence. The case has inspired investigations, books, and personal claims by those connected to the Grand Canyon or the river-running community.
Brad Dimock and the Book 'Sunk Without a Sound'
Brad Dimock, an experienced river guide and historian, co-authored Sunk Without a Sound with Lisa Dimock. This book is regarded as one of the most comprehensive examinations of the Glen and Bessie Hyde story.
Dimock combined archival research, interviews, and his own journey recreating the Hydes’ route. The book breaks down the known timeline, dispels myths, and provides analysis of physical evidence, such as the Hydes’ boat and supplies found abandoned on the river.
The work stands out for including detailed maps, vintage photographs, and a clear-eyed look at speculative accounts. It is often cited as a primary resource by researchers and river historians interested in the Hyde case.
Georgie Clark’s Claims
Georgie Clark, a prominent river runner in her own right, claimed in the 1970s to be Bessie Hyde. Clark was well-known for her significant role in commercializing river rafting in the Grand Canyon, but her assertion attracted widespread attention.
Her claim first surfaced in 1971 after the death of a woman named Bessie DeRoss, whose real name was later revealed to be Georgie Clark. Some believed her to be the missing Bessie Hyde based on circumstantial evidence, such as her reluctance to talk about her past.
Investigations, fingerprint analysis, and further research ultimately showed that Georgie Clark and Bessie Hyde were not the same individual. Despite this, the claim remains a notable chapter in the lore surrounding the disappearance.
Other Accounts: Lisa Michaels and 'Grand Ambition'
Lisa Michaels explored the story of Glen and Bessie Hyde in her book Grand Ambition. This work approached the case from a literary and historical perspective, delving into the social context of the 1920s and the couple’s motivations.
Michaels carefully reconstructed the couple’s journey, using letters, photographs, and records. She also addressed the impact of the disappearance on those who encountered the Hydes, and examined marriage, risk-taking, and gender roles of the era.
Grand Ambition provides a narrative-rich alternative to purely factual retellings, making it significant among works that interpret the enduring mystery of the Hydes.
Related Locations and Memorials
Many places and trails within Grand Canyon National Park intersect with the story of Glen and Bessie Hyde. These locations serve as both physical reminders of their journey and points of interest for those seeking more information about their disappearance.
Bright Angel Trail Connections
The Bright Angel Trail remains one of the most famous and accessible paths into the Grand Canyon. It is an established route closely linked to key events surrounding the Hydes’ disappearance.
Key Points:
The couple passed near the trailhead at Grand Canyon Village.
Early search efforts and rescues during river expeditions have often used Bright Angel Trail as a major exit or access route.
Visitors can still see informational plaques and displays near the trail that mention the Hydes, reflecting their place in Grand Canyon history. The trail also serves as a route for several historical tours that discuss the mystery, making it a notable stop for those interested in learning more.
