Before Tragedy Struck, Grant Herridge Was Chasing a Dream Road Trip — and a Bright Future
Grant Herridge was just beginning to write the next chapter of his life. Fresh off his high school graduation, the 18-year-old had planned the ultimate summer adventure — a cross-country road trip through seven national parks with his best friend, a camera roll ready to capture every moment, and a heart full of hope for his future at Baylor University in the fall.
But the dream journey turned tragic on June 8, 2025, when Grant fell over a 50-foot waterfall while visiting Olympic National Park in Washington state. What began as a celebration of youth and freedom ended in unimaginable heartbreak.
The 18-year-old had just graduated from Vanguard College Preparatory in Waco, Texas, and was in the midst of a long-anticipated journey — a road trip through seven national parks with his closest friend. It was more than a vacation; it was a dream years in the making, one his family says he had talked about with excitement and wonder for as long as they could remember.
Following the fall, search and rescue teams launched an intensive operation to locate Grant. Witnesses at Olympic National Park reported seeing him slip while crossing the rocks near the top of Sol Duc Falls. He briefly resurfaced at the base before vanishing beneath the powerful current.
Late on June 9, 2025, a body matching Grant’s description was discovered, fully submerged and pinned between the first and second tiers of the waterfall. Though formal identification was still pending at the time, authorities believe the body to be Grant’s.
Swiftwater and rope rescue teams from Olympic National Park, supported by multiple local agencies, responded immediately with a large-scale search effort.
Despite their swift mobilization and dedication, extreme conditions have made recovery efforts extraordinarily difficult. The narrow canyon—just 7 to 8 feet wide in places—combined with powerful currents from rapid snowmelt, steep vertical cliffs, and downstream hazards like a second waterfall and a dangerous whirlpool, have so far prevented teams from safely retrieving the body.
Last week, trained responders were lowered into the narrow canyon in a coordinated attempt to recover Grant’s body, but the effort was ultimately unsuccessful due to the dangerous conditions.
Park rangers continue to closely monitor the area and have assured the family that recovery operations will resume as soon as the river is deemed safe.
According to park officials, the top priority remains completing the recovery with care and safety as soon as conditions allow.
Olympic National Park expressed heartfelt thanks to the many agencies that supported the response efforts, including Forks Ambulance, Forks Swiftwater, Olympic Ambulance, Clallam 2 Fire-Rescue, the Port Townsend and Sequim Police Departments, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, and Kitsap Search Dogs. Their coordination and commitment have been instrumental throughout this challenging operation.
Back in Texas, the news of Grant’s death has left his family and the Waco community heartbroken. His father, Brad Herridge — a pastor in nearby Temple — remembered his son as a passionate, fearless young man who embraced every moment.
“He loved doing exciting, fun things,” Brad told KWTX. “He lived life without anxiety, and he lived life to its fullest.”
Brad also shared a deeply personal detail that captured the essence of Grant’s outlook on life — a ring he always wore, etched with a phrase that reflected his fearless spirit and sense of purpose.
“The reason he got the ring was because of the saying inscribed on it: ‘While we wait for life, life passes.’”
