PCT Hikers in Snow
March 17,2025
Desert Divide, Morris Ranch Road
2025-009
Written by Andy Hayt
At approximately 8:00 PM on March 17 RMRU was activated to search for three PCT hikers who were cold, wet, and stuck on the Desert Divide section of the PCT in high winds. One of the hikers had texted a family member, who subsequently contacted the Sheriff’s office. RMRU members met at fire station 53 on Morris Ranch Rd. in Garner Valley, and a hasty team consisting of Alex, Solan, and Andy was quickly dispatched into the field. We hiked the Cedar Springs trail up to the PCT and contacted the Subjects, approximately one mile south of the trail junction on the PCT. High winds, approximately 40 to 50 mph across the ridgeline, along with subfreezing temperatures made the hike challenging and a bit chilly.
We found the three subjects huddled in their tent, which was missing its rain fly, attempting to warm themselves with the open flame of their cooking stove. Solan quickly covered their tent with his rain fly and advised them to turn off the stove. The subjects were soaked, and we provided them with as much warm, dry clothing as we could. They had been soaked by a sudden rainstorm earlier in the evening, and all their gear was wet. They set up their tent to escape the elements, but the rain fly was blown off in the high wind conditions. The subjects warmed up quickly after a few minutes in the tent with the help of some warm broth and snacks. They indicated that they would be willing to try to hike out, which was a good sign.
Once a second RMRU team arrived, (Shana, Geoff, Blake, and David), we made the decision that the hasty team would accompany the subjects on the hike back down Cedar Springs trail while team two would carry their gear out. Team three (Vinay, Tobias, and Matt) met team two on the trail and assisted with the gear carry out. The subjects were in good spirits and aside from being blown around on the ridgeline, the teams encountered no issues on the hike out. The subjects were evaluated by CalFire and AMR at the trailhead and cleared to leave the scene, and from there they were transported by RSO to a hiker hostel in Idyllwild to warm up and dry their gear.
Early season PCT hikers should be aware that the San Jacinto Mountains can experience true winter conditions throughout the spring, including high winds, cold, freezing rain, and snow, and should endeavor not to be caught off guard by the sudden transition from the relatively mild desert sections near the Mexican border to the alpine environments further north.
RMRU Members Involved: (David Altenburg, David Bever, Alex Cochran, Matt Frenken, Shana Gutovich, Andy Hayt, Geoffrey Marshall, Tobias Moyneur, Blake Rankin, Vinay Rao, Solan Watts, and Richard Yocum)