Late Start Hikers without Flashlights
May 25-26, 2024
Deer Springs Trailhead
2024-017
Written by: Geoffrey Marshall
On Saturday night at 10:15pm, RMRU received an alert for two lost hikers up the Deer Springs Trail. They were not carrying flashlights and had lost their way in the dark while descending from San Jacinto peak. Rescue-9 attempted to hoist them out via helicopter but had to abort due to heavy cloud cover.
RMRU team members Eric, Coby, and Geoff assembled at the Deer Springs Trailhead. Eric would lead into the field with Geoff supporting. Coby would run the radios down at base. The weather was mild with no wind.
Less than 1 hour on the trail, we came across two hikers with flashlights. They turned out to be the missing subjects. A different group of hikers had given them the lights so they could start descending. They had started their summit hike extremely late at 9:30am and ran out of daylight on their way back down the mountain.
We guided them down the mountain and transferred them to the Riverside sheriffs. Eric reported the mission as being complete by 1:55am.
Smart phones do not make great long-term flashlights due to their limited battery life. Even if you do not plan to hike after sunset, it is still advised to bring a fully charged headlamp/flashlight, and spare batteries just in case.
RMRU Members Involved: (Coby Brown, Eric Holden, and Geoffrey Marshall)
Other Agencies Involved: (Rescue-9 and Riverside County Sheriffs)