Missing Uinta hikers found safe

Two hikers missing in the Uinta Mountains overnight were found Sunday morning by Summit County Search and Rescue personnel.

Both were reported to be in good shape after a night that saw temperatures dip into the 50s in the upper elevations.

Summit County Sheriff's Det. Ron Bridge said Sunday that a woman in her 50s, who has not been identified, was reported missing in the Crystal Lake area at 8 p.m. Saturday. She got turned around on a day hike and was found about 3 a.m. Sunday morning, well hydrated and in good condition.

Gary Smith, 60, from Salt Lake was reported overdue at 7 p.m. Saturday and hadn't been seen since Friday evening. Bridge said Smith had left the Henry's Fork trailhead to ascend King's Peak Friday and was an experienced outdoorsman who was prepared for an overnight stay. Smith was found at 9 a.m. Sunday in good condition. Details of how he got lost were not yet available.

Bridge said the Summit County search team experienced a rare "perfect storm" Saturday when three hikers in three locations were all reported missing in about a three hour time period. The first report at 7 p.m. Saturday turned out to be a miscommunication between two friends and was resolved within an hour.

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