Two missing hikers found dead after flood sweeps through slot canyon, Utah cops say
Three men in their 50s set out to hike one of the word’s longest slot canyons in Utah.
As they began a 50-mile trek on March 10, starting in Buckskin Gulch, heavy rain moved into the area, halting their progress through the narrow sandstone canyon and prompting a days-long search after they were reported missing.
One man was rescued and two were found dead, Kane County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Alan Alldredge told McClatchy News by phone Thursday, March 16.
Worried family members first reported them missing on Monday, March 13, when they never returned, Alldredge said. Their hiking trip was supposed to end the day before.
Rescuers began searching for the men that day.
“Conditions were not what you normally find in this canyon,” Alldredge said.
Hikers get separated in canyon
The men were barely 10 miles into the canyon when they got caught in flash floods on Saturday, March 11, Alldredge said. The canyon is “deep, dark, cold and long.”
Alldredge said the flash flood carried the hikers through the canyon.
Two hikers found each other after and began searching for their friend, he said.
One hiker’s leg was injured from earlier in the hike, so he stayed behind in the canyon as his friend kept going in search of help.
The hiker looking for help made it a few more miles down the canyon before stopping. A helicopter spotted him in the canyon on March 13 and was able to hoist him to safety.
He was “extremely cold” and “worn out,” Alldredge said. He was taken to a hospital.
Rescuers continue search for two other hikers
The rescued hiker gave directions to where he left his friend in the canyon, but rescuers couldn’t find the man.
Rescuers spent 12 more hours in the canyon looking for the two missing hikers. Around 4 a.m. Tuesday, March 14, they found the body of the hiker who had become separated from the other two during the flash flood.
As rescuers continued their search efforts, other groups called for help. Rescuers airlifted 11 people out of the canyon, including the first missing hiker, Alldredge said.
The third missing hiker was found dead Wednesday, March 15, past Buckskin Gulch, and about 3.5 miles into Arizona.
Buckskin Gulch is a popular 16-mile hike through towering sandstone walls near the Utah-Arizona border.
The canyon is typically dry with some pools of water hikers might have to wade through, Alldredge said.
But the area has had a wet winter, he said, and recent heavy rain caused more water to flow through the canyon.
This story was originally published March 16, 2023 at 3:58 PM with the headline "Two missing hikers found dead after flood sweeps through slot canyon, Utah cops say."
