MOAB, Utah (ABC4) — Twenty stranded hikers were rescued from a canyon near Moab on Friday night as a thunderstorm drenched the sandstone landscape, causing rivers and streams to run dangerously high.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue said the six-hour rescue happened at Grandstaff Canyon, a popular hiking spot roughly 5 miles north of Moab. Crews initially received a report in the evening that three people were stranded due to the high flood waters in the canyon.
“They were able to establish voice contact with the party that had called 911, and they also noticed lights farther up the canyon,” officials wrote in a Facebook post. “A drone with thermal capabilities was launched from the parking area and confirmed that there were 17 additional people trapped by the flood.”
As the sun began to set, the hikers were becoming cold and wet, and the threat of hypothermia was increasing, officials said. A helicopter was requested in case the stranded hikers needed to be airlifted out.
However, around 11 p.m., the floodwaters receded enough to allow crews to cross the creek and establish a handline to help the hikers get out of the canyon. Many of them didn’t have flashlights or headlamps, officials said.
When the hikers were returned to the trailhead, emergency medical workers assessed them. No injuries were mentioned by officials, and the rescue wrapped up shortly after midnight.
“Always check the weather forecast before your adventure,” Grand County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue wrote on social media. “If there is rain, especially thunderstorms, in the forecast, do not enter canyons, washes, or streambeds.”
The storm that swept over the Moab area knocked over power poles and closed several roads. Over the weekend, crews were working to clear the streets of debris and repair critical local infrastructure.
More flash flooding is possible Monday in other areas of southern Utah, including Capitol Reef National Park, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, and Glen Canyon Recreation Area. The National Weather Service says slot canyons and dry washes are most likely to see flash flooding.
