Two of the hikers showed signs of hypothermia and had trouble moving

Stock image of a slot canyon at Zion National Park in Utah.Credit : Getty

Fifteen hikers were rescued from a Zion National Park canyon on the same day.

At 4:15 p.m., local time on Jan. 17, Washington County Search and Rescue (WCSR) responded to reports that a group of 10 hungry hikers was struggling in cold, snowy, icy conditions at Yankee Doodle Canyon, Backpacker reported.

WCSR and the Utah Department of Public Safety both responded to the scene via helicopter. Once above the canyon, one rescuer went down a rope to remove two of the hikers who were having trouble moving due to severe signs of hypothermia, KUTV reported.

The remaining eight hikers in the group were guided back to the trail by the rescuers. On their return, the group came across another group of lost hikers. Those five hikers then requested help from the rescuers.

After a three-hour rescue effort, all 15 hikers refused medical transport before leaving the trailhead on their own, according to KUTV.

Stock image of a slot canyon at Zion National Park in Utah.Getty

WCSR Sgt. Lucas Alfred told KUTV that the Yankee Doodle Canyon is known to “get quite cold at all times except high noon,” and emphasized the importance of winter weather preparation.

“Without proper prep in the winter, even one as mild as what we have this year, hypothermia is always a concern,” Lucas said.

The slot canyon’s interior often remains frigid throughout the winter and can hold water, prompting hikers to dress accordingly.

PEOPLE reached out to the Washington County Search and Rescue, the Utah Department of Public Safety and Zion National Park for comment.