Man Hiking Trail Calls Out For His Daughter But A Different Voice Calls Back

To avoid tragedy on the hiking trail, follow this simple rule: Stick together at all times. Trails can go from safe to deadly in a matter of seconds when groups split apart. John Utsey's heart sank when he realized his two children, who he'd just been hiking with, disappeared from sight. But when he called out his daughter's name and heard a man's voice in response, John was thrown into action.

Rule breakers

Sometimes, the most experienced hikers are the ones who make the simplest mistakes. For the Utsey family, this hike was no different than the hundreds they'd taken before. They were overconfident, leading to a series of events John would never forget.

A gorgeous backdrop

The Utsey family was exploring the beautiful Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico. Their path, called The Winsor Trail, had already seen thousands of families stroll through that summer. However, there was one part of the trail hikers were cautioned to avoid: the highest peak.

High points

Towering above the Utsey family was the trail's high point of 11,000 feet — the length of over 36 football fields! Even the lowest parts of the trail come in at a whopping 7,000 feet high. But John and his kids, unaware of the nightmare to come, weren't intimidated by these staggering numbers.

Summer lovin'

John was admiring the views as his kids played ahead of him. They'd passed a few families along the way, indicating this was a safe space for children to run wild. With summer coming to a close, John was soaking up every moment. Suddenly, he could no longer hear his kids' voices.