Three Overdue Hikers Are Okay

A Coconino County Sheriff’s search and rescue team has located three people who were overdue on a hiking trip in the rugged West Fork area of Oak Creek Canyon .

Spokesman Gerry Blair says the 73-year-old Flagstaff man, who was with a 31-year-old man and woman from Michigan, went out Sunday and were due back Tuesday night. But Blair says the trip proved to be harder than expected.

“Because of the heavy monsoon rain, it was a lot wetter and there was a lot more water down there,” Blair said. “And it was cold water, and so it really delayed their trip.”

Blair says all three were in pretty good shape after being found. The experienced hikers had taken adequate food, water and clothing with them.