Music was also an important part of Hannah's life, as she began playing the violin nearly four years ago. Monday night around the campfire, Hannah had performed solos and duets with her 8-year-old sister Miriam for the trek participants.

The trekking families weren't related but were friends. The Wagstaffs had attended the Castle Valley Pageant last year and met the Seely family when they stayed at the Seely family farm.

Hannah and Miriam were only supposed to be with the group for two days, then their family was headed to one of her parents' art galleries — which are in Utah, New Mexico and New York, Sorensen said.

Clay Wagstaff focuses on landscape paintings, and Rebecca Wagstaff gleans inspiration for her still lifes from the scenes around her. She sold a scene depicting pioneers to the LDS Museum of History and Art.

The Wagstaff family lives and paints in their home and studio in Tropic. Frequent travel to their different galleries across the United States gave ample teaching opportunities for their daughters, Sorensen said.

Along with music and art, Hannah was passionate about karate, having just earned her green belt the week before the trek.

The family is grieving but has the security of their faith to sustain them, coupled with their memories of Hannah and her "amazing example," Sorensen said.

The family plans to stay in Tropic, near their daughter's grave and in an area where they find solace and inspiration, Sorensen said.

"Right now, they're finding it very comforting to be around the things that Hannah has had, the notes that she has written on the refrigerator," Sorensen said. "They're taking great comfort in being around that."

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E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com