Meet Your Guides

Each of our guides is a seasoned veteran in their own right, having dedicated years, and for some, decades, to not just exploring the Grand Canyon but immersing themselves in the vast beauty and historical mystique of Northern Arizona. This profound passion for the area’s natural and cultural treasures has not only encouraged us to call this place home but has also fueled our desire to share its wonders with you.

Curtis

Originally from Colorado, Curtis moved out to Flagstaff 12 years ago to study astronomy at NAU under the beautiful dark skies of Northern Arizona. Curtis was a tour guide and telescope operator at Lowell Observatory for 7 years before becoming a guide here at Grand Canyon Adventures in June of 2023!

Scott

The seeds for wild west adventure were sown in 1973 when Scott’s Boy Scout troop in Maryland went to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. After college and a few trips out West in the 1980’s Scott came to Arizona in 1989. Being an avid outdoorsman, Scott has hiked the Alps, Appalachians, Rockies, Olympics, and of course, the Grand Canyon. Having traveled extensively in both Europe and North America, and being his own guide, becoming a tour guide in 2005 was a natural move. Starting his guiding career in Alaska, he soon moved back South to sunny Arizona and took up guiding at the Grand Canyon and surrounding area.

Grant

Grant grew up in the American Southwest and has spent most of his life looking for anything and every- thing to do outside! Whether it’s mountain biking, skiing, off- roading, or just plain hiking, Grant loves it! Grant fell in love with the Grand Canyon at the age of 6 and has been hiking and exploring it ever since! His favorite hike at the Canyon is South Kaibab!

Molly

Molly graduated from Western Kentucky University in May 2009 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Geology and Outdoor Leadership Studies. Soon afterward, she moved to Flagstaff, Arizona, and has been guiding in the Grand Canyon National Park since March 2010. She has extensive knowledge about the geologic history of the canyon, wildlife, and native people of the area. She is medically trained in the wilderness as a certified Wilderness First Responder, and has spent much of her time hiking throughout the Grand Canyon and surrounding areas. Molly loves to meet people from around the world and teach them about the many wonders of the Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona!

Drew

Drew Andersen was born and raised in the Phoenix, Arizona area. After finishing a B.S. in Political Science at Northern Arizona University, Drew moved around a bit before landing in the heart of the Grand Circle – Page, Arizona. It was there that Drew began guiding and wandering the Colorado Plateau. Aside from guiding, Drew enjoys fly-fishing, his dogs Tuna & Merle, mountain biking, and old rusty Toyota Land Cruisers.

Ruby

Ruby was born and raised here in Flagstaff AZ! She grew up rafting the Grand Canyon, and now is a raft guide and tour guide for the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is a very special place to her. Ruby’s first time rafting the Canyon was when she was 5 years old with her family, who's been in the Grand Canyon rafting community for almost 4 decades now. She is a Grand Canyon artist with the medium of watercolor. She is inspired by the beauty and magical feel that the canyon has to offer to everyone. She wants everyone to enjoy the Canyon and learn more about its grandness, it's more than just a view.

Bec

Bec moved to Flagstaff in 2001 after visiting the previous year while on a cross country road trip. Bec absolutely fell in love with this region known as the Colorado Plateau. When she isn’t guiding for Grand Canyon Adventures you can find her wandering around this stunning canyon country hiking, bike-packing, climbing, trail running, boating, canyoneering, and always bird watching! Often her adventures are shared with her eleven year old daughter and their beloved adventure dog, Chossy MacScree.

Matt

A graduate of Michigan State University, Matt started guiding river trips down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park in the early 2000’s. He considers himself lucky and honored to still be guiding those river trips and is happy to share that experience and knowledge with the guests of Grand Canyon Adventures. When not guiding rivers or hiking trips, Matt works for the National Park service restoring natural fish habitat for the indigenous fish species in Grand Canyon.

Jeanelle

Jeanelle Carpentier first looked over the edge of The Grand Canyon while on a road trip through 28 states in 2007 and fell in love. In the back of her mind, she knew that she would return to the wild west one day--but she didn't know to what extent. For over 8 years now, she's called the Colorado Plateau region home. She adventures, wanders, and works all over the world guiding trips and exploring, but her heart is embedded into the high desert alpine of Flagstaff. She's thrilled to share her home with you!

Jason

Jason Field is a long time Northern Arizona local with deep personal and professional roots in our community. He has spent decades getting to know the geography, geology and history of the Colorado Plateau, and his favorite part of working in and around the Grand Canyon is finding ways to connect each of our guests to this magical landscape. Jason draws upon his outdoor leadership, professional experience and global perspective to help you find adventure, learn and most importantly, create lasting memories. He guides tours and hikes, and leads transformative team building experiences in the Grand Canyon and beyond.

Email Jason

Will

Will Payton

Growing up on the Eastern Seaboard, Will always found peace in the outdoors whether through sports, scouts, or long hikes in the Appalachian Mountains. Will eventually found his way out west for the first time in early 2018, and he made the permanent move to Northern Arizona just over a year later. It was here that his love for outdoor recreation grew even more. His favorite hobbies include hiking Mount Elden and Humphreys Peak whenever possible, free climbing in Sedona and Oak Creek, kayaking on any accessible river, and mountain biking in the Coconino wilderness. Will's knowledge of the wilderness throughout the country continues to grow, and he loves to share it with anybody that shares his passions! Will’s favorite trail is Hermits Rest for its unbelievable views!

Mark

Mark moved to Flagstaff in 1995 to take advantage of the incredible outdoor adventures Flagstaff and the surrounding area have to offer. He has earned two masters' degrees in education from Northern Arizona University and was able to teach and support students from second grade through graduate studies, and recently retired from a 25-year career in education. During that time, he was able to explore and teach about the cultural and natural history in the four corners area. He enjoys the Flagstaff outdoors, being an avid hiker, skier and mountain biker. Mark appreciates the natural ecology, geology in and around Flagstaff that make it such a unique and special place to live and hopes to share that with travelers to the Flagstaff area.

Milton

Milton Tso was born and raised on the Navajo Reservation. He has spent his life sharing his backyard with people from all over the world. He worked for the National Park for over a decade and has now been a guide for Northern Arizona for the last 10 years. He's just a local who loves nothing more than sharing the beauty of Northern Arizona with everyone he meets!

Ryan

Ryan enjoys traveling around the world and learning about different cultures, but his favorite place is the desert southwest. Exploring slot canyons and finding remote water sources have led him to memorable adventures around the 4 corners area. His preferred activities are canyoneering, climbing, riding bikes and walking. When he isn't outside he loves reading history and spending time with Rosie the cat.

Jordan

Jordan Butler

Jordan has called Flagstaff home for nine years and is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area. Inspired by the Sierra Nevada backcountry at a young age he has continued to explore and adventure in Northern Arizona and the southwest. Jordan enjoys hiking, biking, but most of all going on long distance backpacking or bikepacking trips. His favorite part of guiding in the Grand Canyon would have to be the scenic views, one of a kind hiking trails, and overall history of the canyon & southwest region.

Devon

Devon Beam

Devon has called Northern Arizona home since 2018. After working in the outdoor industry for the past 15 years, he began working with Grand Canyon Adventures to continue his ongoing passion for promoting outdoor education and recreation. Devon has traveled extensively throughout North and Central America. His hobbies include traveling, baking bread, playing guitar, and biking in remote places with his spouse.

Darby

Originating from Texas, Darby grew up overseas attending elementary, middle and high school in Doha, Qatar. Seeking to fulfill her granola destiny, she found herself in Flagstaff! After five years here, Darby has gained a true appreciation for the beauty of sacred places like the Kachina Peaks and the Grand Canyon. With ample experience in many outdoor activities, Darby is excited to show others the life changing energy and sights that make Northern Arizona so unique. Darby also has her Wildness First Responder certification.

Garrett

Garret

Garrett is from Southern Arizona, where he has learned to love both the heat and the cold! He loves adventuring and creating memories on our beautiful Public Lands. Go Explore!

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Meet Your Guides

Curtis

Curtis

Scott

Scott

Grant

Grant

Molly

Molly

Drew

Drew

Ruby

Ruby

Bec

Bec

Matt

Matt

Jeanelle

Jeanelle

Jason

Jason

Will

Will Payton

Mark

Mark

Milton

Milton

Ryan

Ryan

Jordan

Jordan Butler

Devon

Devon Beam

Darby

Darby

Garrett

Garret

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