Deputies caution about melting ice, snow and fast-moving rivers amid fast warmup

SALT LAKE CITY — As temperatures saw a quick warmup into the low 70s Tuesday, deputies were cautioning those headed to the outdoors about multiple potential hazards posed by melting ice and snow.

"You just have to be careful when you go out," Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Ray Ormond said.

On Monday, Ormond said a man suffered serious back and rib injuries after ice at Bridal Veil Falls fell on two hikers at the base.

"This time of year, there's still ice that's up on the cliff face of Bridal Veil, and unfortunately some of that ice broke free and fell down on those two individuals," Ormond told KSL-TV. "They were at the base of the falls, just looking at the water."

According to Ormond, rescuers reached the two people on the ground, but a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter ultimately was called in to get the injured man to medical care quickly.

Ormond pointed to more predictable hazards in the days ahead as a reason for people to use caution — including around rising creeks and rivers.

"Creeks and our rivers will start to have more of a flow of water," he said. "We just need to make sure we stay away from those bodies of water and give them a little extra space."

He said snake encounters were more likely on hiking trails, and spring is generally a time when predator animals tend to prowl closer to the valleys.

"A lot of other game like deer and elk will still be lower in the elevations, which those predator animals will come lower as well, looking for dinner," Ormond said.

As always, rescuers advise hikers to research their routes ahead of time, to take a partner or tell a friend or family member where they are going and when they are expected to be back and to take a cell phone and plenty of water.

"Still go out, still have fun," Ormond said. "Just take that little extra moment to make sure you're doing it in a safe way."

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