Flash Flood Likely Cause of Bryce Canyon NP Fatality

An Arizona woman was found deceased early Saturday morning, along a popular hiking trail in Bryce Canyon National Park.

At 7pm Friday, the National Park Service received a report regarding a hiker, 64-year-old Jeanne Roblez Howell of Sedona, Arizona, who was overdue from a 2pm hike on the Fairyland Loop trail within Bryce Canyon National Park.

A search of the area was conducted in cooperation with the Garfield County Sheriff’s office and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

The body of Mrs. Howell was discovered around 130am Saturday, within Campbell Canyon, approximately a mile east of the Fairyland Loop. She was pronounced deceased at the scene by a Garfield County medical examiner.

Cause of dealt has yet to be determined, but according to NPS spokesperson, Peter Densmore, a thunderstorm delivered heavy rain to the northern end of Bryce Canyon National Park on Friday afternoon. Flash flooding was observed in dry washes along the 8-mile Fairyland Loop trail.

“This is a tragic event, and our deepest sympathy goes out to the victim’s friends and family,” said Allana Olbrich, acting Bryce Canyon superintendent.  Olbrich also expressed thanks to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah Department of Public Safety for support and search and rescue efforts.