A couple sets out on a honeymoon adventure to conquer the mighty Colorado River, but their journey ends when they vanish without a trace.
PHOTO SOURCES
1.) Hyde Family camping trip, Jeanne (left), Glen (middle) and Edna (right) ca. 1900-1920. | Source: “Jeanne Hyde, Glen Hyde, Edna Hyde [Camping].” 1900. Glen Hyde Collection. Courtesy of the Northern Arizona University Cline Library.
2.) Glen Hyde manning the front sweep during the Salmon and Snake River trip, 1926. | Source: “On Our Way.” 1926. Glen Hyde Collection. Courtesy of the Northern Arizona University Cline
3.) Bessie playing with her dog, Murtaugh Idaho, ca. 1928. | Source: Item 18384. In Jeanne Hyde’s Photo Album, 1928. Glen Hyde Collection. Courtesy of the Northern Arizona University Cline Library.
4.) Murtaugh Place | Source: “Glen's Country House (Murtaugh).” 1925. Glen Hyde Collection. Courtesy of the Northern Arizona University Cline Library.
5.) Northern Arizona University Colorado Plateau Digital Collections: Glen and Bessie Hyde at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, 1928. Call Number: NAU.PH.568.656. Item Number 98522. Creator: Kolb, Emery Clifford, 1881–1976. Original date: 1928. Repository: Northern Arizona University. Cline Library.
6.) Rapids in Cataract Canyon, ca. October 27, 1928–November 1, 1928. | Source: [Hyde B5. From Foot of Big Drop 3 (Bottom of Big Drop 3), Cataract Canyon Mile 201, around 10/27 – 11/1, 1928.] Glen Hyde, 1928. Courtesy of the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University.
7.) Glen Hyde posing for photograph in Marble Canyon, ca. November 8, 1928– November 12, 1928. | Source: “Glen Hyde at 27-Mile Rapid; Hyde Camera Photo #2e.” Bessie Hyde, 1928. Courtesy of the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University.
8.) Glen and Bessie at the stern of the scow, photo taken by Adolph Sutro, ca. November, 1928. | Source: “Bessie and Glen Hyde at the Foot of the Bright Angel Trail; Adolph Gilbert Sutro Photograph, 1928.” Adolph Sutro, 1928. Courtesy of the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University.
9.) Northern Arizona University Colorado Plateau Digital Collections: The sweep-scow of Glen and Bessie Hyde lying at rest in lower Grand Canyon, mile 235Call Number: NAU.PH.568.3532 Item Number 112575 Creator: Kolb, Emery Clifford, 1881–1976. Contributor Kolb, E.L. (Ellsworth Leonardson), b. 1876. Original date: 1928-1929. Repository: Northern Arizona University. Cline Library.
PHOTO SOURCES
- Northern Arizona University Cline Library.
- Northern Arizona University Cline Library.
- Northern Arizona University Cline Library.
- Northern Arizona University Cline Library.
- Creator: Kolb, Emery Clifford, 1881–1976. Original date: 1928. Repository: Northern Arizona University. Cline Library.
- Cline Library, Northern Arizona University.
- Cline Library, Northern Arizona University.
- Cline Library, Northern Arizona University.
- Creator: Kolb, Emery Clifford, 1881–1976. Contributor Kolb, E.L. (Ellsworth Leonardson), b. 1876. Original date: 1928-1929. Repository: Northern Arizona University. Cline Library.
Episode Source Material
- Sunk Without a Sound: The Tragic Colorado River Honeymoon of Glen and Bessie Hyde. By Brad Dimock. Published February 1, 2001. Accessed January 26, 2026.
- Unsolved Mysteries: Season 1. Episode 1. Published October 5, 1988. Accessed January 26, 2026. Via Plex.
- The Associated Press via The Courier-Journal: Canyon Canoeists Ten Days Overdue. By staff. Published December 17, 1928. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via Hartford Courant: Planes To Hunt Couple Missing In Grand Canyon. By staff. Published December 19, 1928. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, The Evening News: Army Fliers Sight Scow of Missing Couple. By staff. Published December 20, 1928. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Atlanta Journal: Hope revived for rescue of honeymoon adventurers missing in Grand Canyon. By staff. Published December 25, 1928. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- The Salt Lake Tribune: Footprints Render Clue. By staff. Published December 25, 1928. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via Morning Pioneer: Honeymooners Lost In Rapids Says Riverman. Published December 29, 1928. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Chico Enterprise: Feared Lost in Shooting Rapids. By staff. Published December 27, 1928. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- The Associated Press via The Daily Herald: Bones may be the key to 1928 mystery. By staff. Published August 25, 1981. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- Los Angeles Times: What Really Happened to Bessie and Glen? By Ann Japenga. Published June 29, 2001. Accessed January 28, 2026.
- Arizona Daily Sun: Sunk Without a Trace. By Gary Ghioto. Published February 25, 2001. Accessed February 11, 2026. Via newspapers.com.
- My Grand Canyon Park: Lost in the Grand Canyon – The Adventure of Bessie and Glen Hyde. By staff. Published April 5, 2010. Accessed January 28, 2026.
- Intermountain Histories: Life at “the Murtaugh Place” and Longing for Adventure. By William Knapp. Published October 16, 2021. Accessed January 29, 2026.
- Intermountain Histories: Glen Hyde’s Prior River Experience. By William Knapp. Published October 16, 2021. Accessed February 3, 2026.
- Intermountain Histories: Glen and Bessie’s Colorado River Trip, Part 1: Lee’s Ferry. By William Knapp. Published October 20, 2021. Accessed February 3, 2026.
- Intermountain Histories: Glen and Bessie’s Colorado River Trip, Part 2: Kolb Studio. By William Knapp. Published October 20, 2021. Accessed February 3, 2026.
- Intermountain Histories: Glen and Bessie’s Colorado River Trip, Part 3: Hermit Camp. By William Knapp. Published October 20, 2021. Accessed February 3, 2026.
- Nature, Culture, and History at the Grand Canyon: Hyde River Tragedy. By Mark Buchanan. Accessed February 3, 2026.
- Intermountain Histories: Disappearance in the Grand Canyon: Glen and Bessie Hyde. By William Knapp. Accessed January 29, 2026.
- Northern Arizona University Archives: Glen and Bessie Hyde.