What was meant to be the adventure of a lifetime turned into heartbreak when 18-year-old Grant Herridge, a recent high school graduate from Waco, Texas, died after falling from a 50-foot waterfall in Olympic National Park on June 8, 2025.
Grant, who had just graduated from Vanguard College Preparatory, was on a dream trip to visit seven U.S. national parks with a close friend, something he had looked forward to for years, according to his family.
Tragedy struck while the pair were exploring Sol Duc Falls, a popular but rugged site within the Washington state park. Witnesses say Grant slipped while crossing rocks near the top of the waterfall, briefly resurfaced at the bottom, and then disappeared beneath the fast-moving current, per PEOPLE.
A massive search effort was launched immediately. On the evening of June 9, rescuers located a body matching Grant’s description, submerged and trapped between tiers of the falls, the National Park Service detailed.
Recovery efforts have been hampered by extremely dangerous conditions in the canyon below the falls, just 7 to 8 feet wide in some places, with strong snowmelt currents, vertical drop-offs, and downstream hazards including a whirlpool and a second waterfall.
Specialized swiftwater and rope rescue teams attempted a recovery last week but were unsuccessful. Park rangers are monitoring the site closely and will resume the operation when it is safe to do so. The National Park Service has emphasized that its top priority is a safe and respectful recovery.
The park expressed gratitude to the many emergency teams involved in the search, including Forks Swiftwater, Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue, and Kitsap Search Dogs, among others.
Back home in Texas, the loss has devastated Grant’s family and the Waco community. His father, Brad Herridge, a pastor in nearby Temple, described his son as fearless, joyful, and deeply alive.
“He loved doing exciting, fun things. He lived life without anxiety and he lived life to its fullest,” Brad told KWTX News.
He also shared a story about a ring Grant always wore, a simple band engraved with the words: “While we wait for life, life passes.” For the family, it now serves as a poignant reminder of Grant’s approach to living fully, without delay.
In a final tribute, Brad thanked the many friends, strangers, and agencies who have offered support during their unimaginable grief, saying: “Grant was doing what he loved, hiking through Olympic National Park, when he had a tragic accident.
He was always so full of life, and we’re going to honor him by living life to the fullest, just like he did.”
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