A day hike at one of Salt Lake County’s most popular waterfall spots turned into a full-scale rescue Friday after a hiker fell roughly 10 to 20 feet at Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The fall left the person with multiple traumatic injuries and triggered a multi-agency response that included ground search-and-rescue teams and a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter hoist.
Rescue Crews Race To Pull Hiker From Canyon
According to a post by Salt Lake County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, Unified Fire Authority, and the Unified Police Department were first on scene and quickly requested search-and-rescue assistance. SAR ground teams began preparing for a technical rope rescue while a Utah Department of Public Safety helicopter crew evaluated whether a hoist was possible in the tight canyon.
Crews ultimately performed a hoist, lifting the injured hiker out of the rocky terrain and moving the patient to Big Cottonwood Canyon Road. The operation lasted about 1.5 hours before the hiker was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
Rogue Drone Briefly Halts Helicopter Work
Salt Lake County's SAR post also warned that a recreational drone in the area briefly delayed the helicopter's landing and hoist sequence, an unwelcome complication when every minute counts. The FAA notes that unauthorized drones near emergency scenes can endanger responders and may result in civil or criminal penalties, and pilots are urged to check airspace restrictions before flying.
Popular Donut Falls Trail Carries Real Risk
Donut Falls is a short, heavily trafficked trail that draws day hikers and families, but the approach to the waterfall includes slick rock and steep drops that have led to serious incidents before. Local reporting has documented multiple falls and at least one fatality at the site, underscoring the canyon's hazards for visitors, as reported by KSL.
Officials Push Safety, Not Thrills, At The Falls
Search and rescue leaders and partner agencies are reminding visitors to stay on marked trails, avoid climbing on wet or loose rock near the waterfall, and wear appropriate footwear while carrying a reliable way to call for help. For more on backcountry safety and the team's capabilities, see the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Search and Rescue page.
