CEDAR CITY — Iron County rescuers successfully brought two stranded hikers to safety near Parowan on Wednesday.
At approximately 4 p.m, the Iron County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team was activated to respond to a report of two lost hikers on Valentine Peak, which is located immediately to the east of Parowan.
Iron County Sheriff’s Cpl. Michael Hilleger was the first to arrive on scene, according to a social media post made later that same evening. Hilleger immediately began hiking to the hikers’ last known GPS location.
At approximately 5 p.m., Iron County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team members arrived and began ascending the trail.
Meanwhile, as the search and rescue volunteers were hiking up, Hilleger made contact with the two hikers, who were found in steep terrain approximately 400 feet off the trail.
“They were cold, wet, and not prepared for the changing weather conditions,” the post states, adding that Hilleger provided the female hiker with an emergency blanket and the male hiker with a coat.
“The SAR volunteers assessed the location of the hikers and Corporal Hilleger and were able to find a route off trail with somewhat level terrain to allow us to reach them in the shortest amount of time,” the post adds.
Before the descent, the hikers were provided with dry clothing, hand warmers, feet warmers and gloves.
“The female hiker’s socks were drenched and her feet were painfully cold,” the post states. “The team removed her shoes and socks, warmed her feet, and then provided her dry socks and wrapped them in plastic to keep them dry for the descent down, since her sneakers were soaked.”
At approximately 6:15 p.m., the two hikers, along with the seven search and rescue volunteers and two sheriff’s deputies, arrived back down at the trailhead, located near the Iron County Fairgrounds parking lot.
“We’re thankful the hikers called us sooner rather than later, so we could get them warmed and down before it got dark and much colder,” the post concludes.
Iron County Sheriff’s Office said the incident serves as a reminder to have proper gear when recreating outdoors, especially this time of year.
“The valley temps may be mild but when you get into the higher elevations, the weather can drastically change,” the post states.
Photo Gallery
Hikers pose with rescuers at the Valentine Peak trailhead after safely making it back down off the mountain, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News A hiker is followed down the mountain by rescuers on Valentine Peak, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News Rescuers hike down the Valentine Peak trail, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News Two hikers are followed on a trail by rescuers on Valentine Peak, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News Rescuers hike up the Valentine Peak trail, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News Rescuers hike up the Valentine Peak trail, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News The Iron County Fairgrounds parking lot was the staging area for a rescue operation that found two stranded hikers and brought them to safety, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News Rescuers hike up the Valentine Peak trail, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News A sign marks the Valentine Peak trailhead, located near the Iron County Fairgrounds parking lot, Parowan, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, St. George News / Cedar City News
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