Missing Hiker Angeles Forest
June 22 – July 01, 2025
Mt. Waterman – Angeles National Forest
2025-024
Written by: Goeffrey Marshall
Sunday, 6/22 – Operational Period 1
At approximately 9:30 AM, a hiker named Monica went missing near Mt. Waterman in the Angeles National Forest. She had been hiking a new trail with a group of friends when they jogged ahead. When they looked back, she was no longer visible.
Around 11 AM, an unrelated hiker flagged down an LA County Sheriff deputy patrolling the area and reported the missing person. By pure coincidence, I was riding my motorcycle in the mountains that day and had pulled over at the exact spot where the report was being taken to use the restroom at the trailhead. Sure enough, later that evening around 7 PM, RMRU was notified of a mutual aid search request scheduled for the following day. Teams from Montrose, LA Sheriffs and LA Fire worked tirelessly that night searching on the ground and via helicopter equipped with night vision goggles until 2am, but unfortunately, they were unsuccessful in finding Monica.
Monday, 6/23 – Operational Period 2
Matt, Stephanie, and I responded on behalf of RMRU. We had all woken up around 4 am to reach the briefing location in Angeles Forest by 7 am. Our first assignment was to hike down Devil’s Canyon Trail and search for any clues near the stream that might indicate the subject had passed through. We hiked for about 3 miles and navigated south, passing numerous sand traps, none of which showed any signs of human footprints.
Our second task was to rendezvous with a team hiking downstream from further north. Due to extremely poor radio communications, we were instructed to return to base instead.
Later, we were assigned to search a ridgeline for any sign of foot traffic. The terrain was made up of loose rock and gravel, making it difficult to differentiate between large animal and human prints. Aside from a few deer and mountain lion tracks, the area appeared undisturbed. When we returned to base, we were informed that a red beanie belonging to the subject had been found downhill and off-trail, the only confirmed clue so far.
Tuesday, 6/24 – Operational Period 3
Richard was the only RMRU member deployed for OP3. He was assigned to a field team with three Orange County SAR members. They were driven a short distance to the Three Points trailhead on Angeles Crest Highway and hiked about half a mile before dropping into a steep canyon.
Travel was extremely slow due to loose rock, one rappel, dense vegetation, deadfall, standing water, and difficult footing. About two miles in, the vegetation became impassable. With limited radio coverage, they had to contact another field team to relay a request to CP for a helicopter extraction. They were eventually hoisted out by LASD Air Rescue 5. No clues were found.
Wednesday, 6/25 – Operational Period 4
I returned with new RMRU member Dave Kosmal. Our assignment was to continue a search along a dry wash between two ridges. After being inserted into the field by Air 5, we bushwhacked north to where the previous team had ended. Vegetation was extremely dense, and we often could not see each other, so we stayed within shouting distance. On the way back south, we had to climb partway up the ridges and do callouts down into the thick brush.
Radio comms with base were lost, but we stayed in contact via satellite messaging. Midway through the assignment, we were notified that Air 5 may not be able to extract all field teams and were asked to consider self-extraction. After reviewing topo maps, I proposed climbing over two ridges to reach Devil’s Canyon Trail. Dave agreed.
The terrain was steep with loose rocks and waist-high brush. We avoided hazardous drop-offs and used vegetation for support on the descent. At one point, we crossed a ravine on a large, downed tree to avoid the thick brush below. We eventually reached the trail and returned safely. No clues were discovered.
Thursday, 6/26 – Operational Period 5
I stayed overnight at a nearby Christian camp and was the only RMRU member responding. I was paired with two Tulare County SAR members to grid-search a 118-acre area north of the original trail. The slope was steep with loose sand and little shade. We did callouts and inspected in and around large rock formations within our area.
We encountered two friends of the subjects and a separate group searching on their own within our area. Footprints were faint and inconclusive, so we were never sure if they belonged to the subject or her friends. By 2 PM, we had covered only 15% of our area, had found no relevant clues, and water was running low. There were no streams for filtering, so we were instructed to return to base instead of continuing.
The search was cut short today due to logistical issues, including lack of air support due to other activities going on off the mountain. I later hiked the subject’s known route solo. The trail was strenuous, and it was clear we were searching for a very fit individual. I also inspected the heavily searched area where her hat was found, indicating she had followed a boulder-filled wash downhill. I reached a trail crossing that gave her three options: right toward the road, left toward Twin Peaks, or straight into the stream that leads to Devil’s Canyon, where other missing persons have been found in the past.
Friday, 6/27 – Operational Period 6
After another night at the Christian camp, I joined Nick and Mark from Altadena and San Diego MRT. Our mission was to push upstream in Devil’s Canyon while another team worked downstream. The brush was thick, and we took turns bushwhacking both sides and walking the stream bed.
Nick advised that we remain alert for any signs of decomposition. At one point, we all smelled something like dead fish. We investigated and confirmed it was likely just a fish carcass, as fish had been seen in the stream earlier.
Eventually, the stream became completely choked with branches and impassable. This was the same point Dave and I had searched from above two days earlier. We saw no signs that anyone had pushed through. After exploring further and finding no clues, we radioed base. Air 5 hoisted us out of the canyon 15 minutes later.
Saturday, 6/28 – Operational Period 7
David and Andy represented RMRU for OP7. They were hoist-inserted by Air 5 with Ventura County teams to investigate a side drainage into Devil’s Canyon. The area was too steep and overgrown to enter, and they were forced to abandon the approach. With no signs of human travel and no evidence in the area, they concluded the subject was likely not there. They covered the remainder of their zone in Devil’s Canyon and were extracted via Air 5. No clues were found.
Sunday, 6/29 – Operational Period 8
Dave Kosmal and Shani left Temecula early and met up with Stephanie at the CP. They were assigned to a steep but open slope between a ridge and trail. They traversed it methodically but found no clues. After returning to CP, they were informed no new clues had been found. By evening, we were all notified that the mutual aid search would be scaled back to limited ongoing search until further notice.
What was meant to be a simple out-and-back day hike most likely turned tragic with one wrong turn. At the time I am writing this, Monica still has not been found.
RMRU strongly recommends that anyone venturing into the wilderness carry a reliable map, paper or digital, and ensure any digital maps are downloaded in advance. Bring a battery bank to recharge your phone if needed. According to the subject’s friends, her phone battery was known to be unreliable.
Another important tip: if you become lost and it is safe to do so, stop where you are and shelter in place. As long as someone knows your route and expected return time, search teams will know where to begin looking.
Over 100 SAR personnel from teams in both southern and central California participated in the search.
RMRU Members Involved: (David Altenburg, Matt Frenken, Andy Hayt, Dave Kosmal, Geoffrey Marshall, Shani McCullough Stephanie Robertson, and Richard Yocum)
Other Agencies Involved: (Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, Antelope Valley Search and Rescue, Kern County Search and Rescue, Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Search and Rescue, Malibu Search and Rescue, Montrose Search and Rescue, Ojai Search and Rescue, Orange County Search and Rescue, San Bernardino Mountain Search and Rescue, San Bernardino Cave and Technical Rescue Team, San Bernardino Bear Valley Search and Rescue, West Valley Search and Rescue, San Bernardino Rim of the World Search and Rescue, San Diego Mountain Rescue Team, San Diego Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SDSO SAR), San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team, Sierra Madre Search and Rescue, Tulare County Search and Rescue, Ventura County Fillmore Search and Rescue, LA Fire, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)