Last but not least, don't forget that the best defense against unexpected hazards is knowledge. Read up on the latest in wilderness safety information in the recently published Wild Country Companion. Check the back of this guidebook for ordering information. The high desert environs of the Canyonlands are prone to sudden thunderstorms, especially in spring and summer months. If you get caught by a lightning storm, take special precautions.
Lightning can travel far ahead of the storm, so be sure to take cover before the storm hits.
Don't try to make it back to your vehicle. Instead, seek shelter even if it's only a short way back to the trailhead. It isn't worth the risk. Lightning storms usually don't last long, and from a safe vantage point, you might enjoy the sights and sounds. Seek shelter in a low-lying area, ideally in a dense stand of small, uniformly sized trees.