SALT LAKE CITY (Scripps News Salt Lake City) — The man accused of forcing his young children on a dangerous hike in Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon , leading to one child almost dying, was denied early release from jail while he awaits trial.

Micah Smith appeared remotely in Third District Court on Tuesday morning, where Commissioner Todd Olsen, acting as judge, issued a protective order prohibiting the father from having any contact with his children.

Micah Smith appears in court via video from jail on Dec. 2, 2025. (Salt Lake County Courts)

After Smith acknowledged that he understood the order, he asked Olsen if he would consider issuing bail so that he could be released from jail. When Olsen asked the prosecutor for his thoughts on a prerelease, the prosecutor replied, “That’s a hard

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