Missing hikers found safe in Corner Canyon

DRAPER — Two hikers missing since Wednesday night were found safe Thursday morning.

Cody Hidler, 29, and John Vallieres, 30, were found about 9 a.m. on the steep Jacob's Ladder Trail in Corner Canyon. The men, who had never hiked the area before, got lost and decided to spend the night on the trail.

A Department of Public Safety helicopter spotted the men Thursday morning, and they gave the pilot a thumbs-up, indicating they were both uninjured.

The men went hiking Tuesday and were expected to do some rock climbing, said Draper police Sgt. John Carpenter. They were expected to stay the night and return home Wednesday at 6 p.m. When they failed to show up, their wives called police.

The men had left their spouses details on where they would be, when they would return and what they planned to do. They were expected to take the Jacob's Ladder Trail and follow that to Lone Peak Cirque, a popular rock-climbing area, Carpenter said.

Both men are experienced hikers and rock climbers and had brought ropes and other climbing gear with them, he said. Draper police arrived at the scene about 10 p.m. Wednesday and found the men's vehicle.

Draper police, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue and a Department of Public Safety helicopter were used in the search effort Thursday.

The men did not have cell phones with them.

e-mail: preavy@desnews.com