Missing hiker found in Grand Staircase

ESCALANTE, Garfield County — Search and rescue teams Tuesday found a 51-year-old Salt Lake City man safe after he was two days late returning from a hike in the Grand Staircase Escalante Monument.

Bob Dobbin was found safe when searchers noticed a beam of light from his flashlight, according to a press release from the sheriff's office.

Search and rescue team members hiked to Dobbin, then stayed the night with him. The group planned to hike out this morning, according to sheriff's spokeswoman Becki Bronson.

Dobbin had registered his hike with Forest Service Officials.

Garfield County Sheriff Danny Perkins issued a statement Tuesday encouraging hikers to register with the service but asked them to stick to their plans once registered in order to save search and rescue teams from unnecessary strain.