Salt Lake County Sheriff's Search and Rescue

Salt Lake County Sheriff's Search and Rescue Search and rescue team serving Salt Lake County. FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE CALL 9-1-1. There are approximately 35 members on the team.

The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team is a non-profit, all –volunteer organization that is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Team is responsible for all search and rescue missions within Salt Lake County. It also provides mutual aid to other counties. The team is designated as an emergency medical services provider by the state of Utah. All services are provided free of charge.

Thursday, June 4, 2026 16:49Length: Approximately 1 hrCrescendo- While SAR was responding to another call at Lake Blanch...
06/06/2026

Thursday, June 4, 2026 16:49

Length: Approximately 1 hr

Crescendo- While SAR was responding to another call at Lake Blanche, a group of two adult climbers called 911 to report an injury on the fourth pitch of Crescendo, a classic climb in lower Big Cottonwood Canyon. In this event, the lead climber took a five-foot fall and sustained a lower extremity injury. Due to the ongoing call at Lake Blanche, the SAR trailer, SAR personnel, and DPS helicopter were already staged nearby at Mule Hollow. One SAR team was deployed to serve as ground communication with all climbers on Crescendo as DPS prepped for a hoist.

The SAR ground team ensured that all climbers on Crescendo had helmets on, ropes secured, and were at anchor stations before the helicopter approached the route in the event of potential rockfall. DPS quickly hoisted the climbing pair and returned to an awaiting ambulance. The patient was transported to a local hospital.

This marks nearly a dozen different SLCOSAR calls in the last week alone, and our busy summer season is only getting started. Stay tuned for more to come, and we hope we DON’T have to see you in the mountains any time soon

Thursday, June 4, 2026 13:43Length: 6 hrs, 20 minLake Blanche- A group of three just-graduated-high-school hikers called...
06/06/2026

Thursday, June 4, 2026 13:43

Length: 6 hrs, 20 min

Lake Blanche- A group of three just-graduated-high-school hikers called 911 after becoming cliffed out north of Lake Blanche. The group was disoriented and had believed they were hiking towards the lake when in fact they were heading to the ridgeline of Mineral Basin. The initial plan was to come in above the victims and es**rt them back to the lake. Two SAR teams were inserted on the ridgeline by DPS and a spotting team was inserted at the lake. A fourth team was deployed up the Lake Blanche trail to serve as extra resources on the mountain.

Once SAR teams met the group, it was determined that the safest route was to ascend back up to the ridgeline. Ropes were fixed, patients were harnessed and helmeted, and assisted by SAR up the steep and loose ascent. Once at the ridgeline, all parties were flown off by DPS with everyone off the mountain by 20:05.

This was a valuable lesson in not letting a few questionable decisions lead to a catastrophic accident. Although these hikers got themselves into a bad spot, they were smart enough to recognize they were in trouble and called for help BEFORE someone fell and got injured (or worse). Stop, take a deep breath, assess your situation, then make good decisions about the rest of your backcountry adventure!

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 22:17Length: 2 hrs, 15 minRocky Mouth- A group of two college-age hikers were scrambling in an a...
06/05/2026

Wednesday, June 3, 2026 22:17

Length: 2 hrs, 15 min

Rocky Mouth- A group of two college-age hikers were scrambling in an area above the falls where one hiker experienced a 10 feet fall followed by a 20 feet slide after a rock hold failed and slipped out beneath his foot. The hiker sustained a facial laceration as well an ankle injury. Sandy Fire responded and called SAR due to the technical descent. Two SAR groups were deployed. Despite the lower extremity injury, the patient remained ambulatory and was able to be lowered through the technical segment with a belay and SAR es**rt. All teams were off the mountain by 00:28.

Thursday, May 28, 2026 02:00Length: 1.5 hrsMt Olympus West Slabs- A group of three college-age hikers started at 4 p.m. ...
06/05/2026

Thursday, May 28, 2026 02:00

Length: 1.5 hrs

Mt Olympus West Slabs- A group of three college-age hikers started at 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, with a plan to ascend the West Slabs, summit Mt Olympus, and hike out the main MtO trail. After reaching the North Summit after dark, the three hikers down-climbed into the top of Tolcat Canyon and began following cairns down that canyon, rather than climbing up to the South Summit and hiking out the main trail. After several hours of bushwhacking downhill, running low on food, water, energy and phone battery, and ultimately getting cliffed out, the hikers called 911 for SAR assistance. Due to the overnight hour and hiker location in difficult-to-access technical terrain, SAR requested the DPS helicopter to perform a hoist operation. All three hikers were safely hoisted off the mountain around 3 a.m. Thursday morning.

The West Slabs-to-MtO circuit is becoming more popular, as well as a common call for SAR. Note that this is not simply a hike - it is technical terrain with significant exposure that requires a high level of skill to safely complete. Careful route planning, the correct equipment, and sufficient supplies for a long day out are important parts of this adventure.

Sunday, May 31, 2026 16:36Length: 2 hrs, 15 minutesWhite Pine Boulders - A group of hikers called 911 to report that a m...
06/05/2026

Sunday, May 31, 2026 16:36

Length: 2 hrs, 15 minutes

White Pine Boulders - A group of hikers called 911 to report that a member of their party had fallen and hit their head. The patient complained of dizziness and nausea. Their location was the boulder field WSW of the White Pine trailhead and in the vicinity of China Wall, LCC. SAR dispatched a hasty team who performed a medical assessment. It was determined that the patient could hike out on their own with the help of a helmet and harness. A second SAR team hiked in with a patient harness and helmet and helped the group hike back to the road where the Fire Department performed another medical assessment. All teams were off the mountain by 18:51.

Saturday May 30, 2026, 23:59 - Lake BlancheLength: 2 hours 9 minutesSAR was called out for an overdue experienced solo h...
06/04/2026

Saturday May 30, 2026, 23:59 - Lake Blanche
Length: 2 hours 9 minutes
SAR was called out for an overdue experienced solo hiker near Lake Blanche. The hiker’s friend reported communicating with the hiker at noon on Saturday at which time the hiker, who had spent the previous night at the lake, indicated he was waiting for the weather to clear before attempting to climb Sundial Peak, an exposed ridge and summit near the lake. Cell service is not reliable at Lake Blanche, so the two agreed that the hiker would communicate via satellite text message that he was down safe after summiting. When the friend did not hear from the hiker after sending numerous messages, SAR was called. Life Flight shuttled two SAR teams to the lake, and a third SAR team began hiking the Lake Blanche trail. DPS also assisted with an aerial search. SAR located the hiker at the lake near his tent, in good condition. The hiker believed he had been sending messages to the friend about his condition and the change in plans, but none of those messages went through. All teams were off the mountain by 02:10.
This hiker and friend had a good plan, but unfortunately, cell phone satellite communications aren’t perfect. We’re glad everyone is OK, but this is an important reminder to make a plan with someone before you go into the backcountry, especially solo - let them know where you’re going, when you expect to be back, and what to do if things go sideways. Then stick to that plan. If plans change, it’s critical to “close the loop” and confirm that everyone knows the change.

Saturday May 30, 2026 10:24Length: 1 hour 8 minutesBells Canyon: A hiker coming down the trail west of the Lower Bells C...
06/03/2026

Saturday May 30, 2026 10:24
Length: 1 hour 8 minutes

Bells Canyon: A hiker coming down the trail west of the Lower Bells Canyon Reservoir sustained a ground level fall and was unable to hike out. 911 was called and Sandy Fire responded to the injured hiker splinting the injured leg and requested additional resources for extraction of the patient given the steep, rocky and wet terrain. Two SAR teams were deployed to the location to carry the patient to the lower reservoir where a side-by-side was awaiting.

Wednesday May 27, 2026 14:30Length: 1 hour 49 minutesMount Superior: A young solo hiker fell 15-20 feet while hiking up ...
06/01/2026

Wednesday May 27, 2026 14:30
Length: 1 hour 49 minutes

Mount Superior: A young solo hiker fell 15-20 feet while hiking up to Superior. Fortunately, the patient was coherent enough to call 911 for assistance. Unified Fire was deployed and hiked up to the patient. The decision was made to call DPS for a hoist, but due to high wind conditions there was concern if they could perform the operation. SAR deployed two groups of rescuers with the litter and rope rescue equipment to enact a ground rescue. A small window presented where the winds eased sufficiently for DPS to safely perform hoist operations. The patient was flown to an awaiting ambulance and was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.
Traveling into high consequence or unfamiliar terrain by yourself can be dangerous. It is best to hike these objectives with a partner. This is also an important reminder that helicopters, while an excellent and highly skilled resource, have their limitations.

Monday May 25, 2026 11:24Length: 1 hour 35 minutesAlexander Creek Trail: 911 was called when a mountain biker crashed of...
05/31/2026

Monday May 25, 2026 11:24
Length: 1 hour 35 minutes

Alexander Creek Trail: 911 was called when a mountain biker crashed off the side of the trail within a mile of the trailhead. The mountain biker sustained several injuries prompting the deployment of Unified Fire, who arrived on scene first. The multiple injuries made extraction difficult, so the SAR team was requested, two SAR teams were deployed with a side-by-side, litter, and a full body splint. Due to the nature of the patient’s injuries, it was determined that a helicopter hoist would be the best transport option, and DPS was called. The patient was hoisted off the mountain and brought to a waiting ambulance.

Location: White PineLength: Approx. 7.5 hoursAt approximately 6:50 p.m. on April 30, 2026, Salt Lake County Search and R...
05/03/2026

Location: White Pine
Length: Approx. 7.5 hours

At approximately 6:50 p.m. on April 30, 2026, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue was called out to the White Pine trailhead for three 19-20 year old male patients who had been out all day and reported being too fatigued to hike back. They reported having food, water, adequate clothing, sleeping bags, and no injuries, and alerted SAR using a Garmin InReach.

SAR sent out three initial teams – skiers, snowshoers, and ATVers, the SAR team of skiers being the first team to spot the patients’ headlamps at the lake. Despite visual confirmation of the headlamps, the skiers were still about an hour from reaching the patients.

At this point, the patients determined they had sufficient energy to begin moving downhill. They had neither skis nor snowshoes but followed their boot postholes downhill. The SAR team of snowshoers stopped at the opening approximately 4 miles up the trail to intercept the patients in the event the SAR skier team did not meet the patients first. This turned out to be the right call, the patients took the summer trail, and the skiers were on the skin track due west of the summer trail.

Upon meeting up with SAR, they reported being warm, hydrated, and having sufficient food. One complained of knee soreness (likely from the postholing), but all were able to continue walking downhill under clear skies and a nearly full moon. The SAR team es**rted the patients downhill until contact was made with the ATV team with a snow-tracked side by side. The patients were transported by ATV and side by side the rest of the way to the trailhead.

The patients were well prepared with food, water, winter clothing, sleeping bags, and two tents. They later explained that, even though they had the gear to spend the night, they were worried about a leaking sleeping pad. Satellite communication devices are a great way to stay in touch, and to call for help when needed. Communication is often limited and can be delayed, and these should only be used to activate the EMS system in emergency situations.

All patients and SAR team members were off the mountain by 2:30 a.m. No one slept well.

Address

3510 South 700 West
Salt Lake City, UT
84119

Telephone

+13854689552

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