A hiking trip turned fatal for a Wisconsin father and daughter in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park on Friday, July 12. The 52-year-old man and his 23-year-old daughter, both from Green Bay, lost their lives after running out of water during a scorching afternoon on the Syncline Trail.
San Juan County Dispatch received a distress text message from the Island in the Sky district of the park, prompting an immediate response from National Park Service rangers and Bureau of Land Management Moab District Helitack personnel. Despite the swift action, rescuers found the hikers deceased upon arrival.
The incident occurred as temperatures soared above 100°F. The pair reportedly got lost on the trail, exacerbating their predicament as water supplies dwindled.
Utah’s Department of Public Safety provided additional support during the operation. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and the National Park Service are investigating the incident; further details are pending.
Park officials strongly advise visitors to carry ample water and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day. Hikers should also familiarize themselves with trail routes, carry sufficient supplies, and know weather conditions before embarking on wilderness adventures.
Canyonlands National Park, located in southeastern Utah near Moab, is a vast and stunning wilderness of colorful canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado and Green rivers. The park is divided into four distinct districts–Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the combined rivers–each offering unique landscapes and opportunities for exploration, from scenic drives and day hikes to challenging backcountry adventures.
