Rescuers offer safety reminders as hikers turn adventurous in warmer weather

PLEASANT GROVE — On a warm spring day when temperatures rose to the low 60s, rescuers offered safety reminders Tuesday as hikers returned to some of their favorite outdoor destinations.

At the Battle Creek trailhead, Nicholas Kent said the weather felt like "late May."

"We thought, 'why not go for a walk,'" Kent said. "The waterfalls are really pretty. You can go up on top of the falls, but it doesn't strain you too much."

His attire was clearly geared toward spring.

"I mean, I'm wearing shorts and long sleeves right now," he said. "We went up the trail a little ways and I was a little warm, honestly."

Sgt. Dallin Turner with the Utah County Sheriff's Search and Rescue team said, though, that if hikers are headed to higher elevations in the near future, ice and snow are likely.

"A lot of people don't plan on that," Turner said. "They think it's 60, 65 degrees in the valley and they start hiking and quickly it can turn to 40s or lower."

Though early March may be early in the hiking season, rescuers said it was important to consider the basics as people head out on their adventures — researching their routes and destinations and taking layers of clothing, cellphones and ideally a hiking partner.

"If you're going by yourself, make sure somebody knows where you're headed," Turner said.

Turner said it was also important for people to consider water right now.

"A lot of people think when it's colder you don't need as much water," he explained. "You're still out exercising, you're still burning through those fuels and those fluids, so you still need plenty of water."

He acknowledged some people can get overzealous this time of year.

"I don't think, in general, people try to put themselves in danger, right?" Turner said. "That's kind of not their plan. They're going out there to enjoy the outdoors, but unfortunately, yeah, sometimes they don't have the knowledge of the area that they're going to as well as they should or could."

Even those like Kent who were out for a low-key hike said they saw value in arriving prepared.

"If you're planning on going any higher, just prepare for mud, wear close-toed shoes, something longer," Kent said.

He was well aware of just how much conditions can change, especially in Utah in the spring, and he was appreciative of the warmth.

"Especially after last week and that weird snowstorm that chilled everything," Kent said. "Yeah, it's great."

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