Elderly Hiker Rescued After Losing Trail On Utah Mountain

An elderly woman was recently rescued after she went off trail and became lost while hiking in Utah, officials said.

Iron County Search and Rescue (SAR) on Saturday shared details of the Sept 19 rescue on social media, saying the incident serves as a “great reminder” for others before heading out into the wilderness.

At around 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19, rescuers responded to a report that a 71-year-old hiker had become lost while hiking the Willow Creek Trail in the Cottonwood Mountain area northeast of Paragonah. Once the woman realized she was off trail, she found an area with cell phone service to call 911. Dispatchers told her remain in that spot, and she did.

Dispatchers obtained the GPS coordinates from her cell phone, though the accuracy was “uncertain,” rescuers said. An Iron County Sheriff’s deputy located the woman’s red Jeep near Cottonwood Canyon Road and Bear Valley Road, and SAR teams began searching the area.

Searchers hiked the Willow Creek Trail while others searched via ATV on steep terrain, calling and whistling for the lost hiker. Eventually a searcher spotted a flashing light on the hillside, and located the hiker.

The woman was “understandably tired” but otherwise in good health when she was found. By that time, however, it was dark, making the return descent “slow and careful.” The hiker was safely escorted back to her vehicle, and the call was completed by 10:30 p.m.

“In this case, being prepared, having someone who knew her plans, carrying essential supplies, and—most importantly—staying put after calling 911 all helped bring this search to a safe conclusion,” Iron County SAR said. “Know before you go. Be prepared. Stay safe.”