Upper Skyline Trail – Lost Hikers
February 17, 2026
Skyline Trail / Grubbs Notch Area, Mount San Jacinto State Park
2026-004
Written by: Blake Rankin
Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit was activated at approximately 1500 hours for two overdue hikers on the Skyline Trail. A cell phone location ping placed the subjects near Notch 3 above the trail. The subjects, two adult female hikers described as experienced, had departed the Skyline Trail trailhead at approximately 0400 hours. No direct phone contact could be established at the time of the callout. Weather conditions were severe, with temperatures near 23°F, southwest winds of 20 mph gusting to 40 mph, and moderate snowfall with active accumulation.
Team 101 (Blake, Trygve, Tobias, Dave K., and Chad) boarded the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway at 1720 hours while Dave B. established Incident Command at the Valley Station. After arriving at the Mountain Station, Team 101 coordinated with State Parks Rangers and received updated subject coordinates. A State Parks sergeant had previously reached within approximately 150 meters of the reported location but was unable to establish contact, and snowfall had obscured tracks in the area.
Team 101 descended Grubbs Notch and split at approximately 1838 hours. Team 101 traversed east toward updated subject coordinates while Team 102 continued down the Skyline Trail. Snow and terrain conditions presented significant fall hazard, and snow consistency prevented effective ice axe self-arrest. Following a GAR assessment, teams continued operations while minimizing high-angle exposure. Team 101 searched both updated coordinate locations without locating the subjects, who were later determined to be at the original reported location rather than the updated positions.
During continued callouts, rescuers heard faint voices and whistle responses. Team 102 made contact with the subjects shortly before Team 101 arrived. The hikers were located under a rock overhang above the trail in Notch 3. Both subjects were cold, wet, and inadequately dressed for winter conditions. After receiving food, warm fluids, and additional insulating layers, both initially improved. Subject 1 was able to walk with assistance, while Subject 2 required support descending to the trail.
During evacuation, Subject 2’s condition worsened from mild to moderate hypothermia, with declining coordination and increasing weakness. Due to environmental exposure and terrain limitations, rescuers determined continued movement toward evacuation provided the best chance for recovery rather than attempting rewarming in place.
As the descent continued, Subject 2 deteriorated to severe hypothermia and became unable to assist with movement. RMRU members conducted alternating assisted walking and manual carries for approximately 700 vertical feet under difficult snow conditions. Use of a litter was deemed impractical due to steep terrain and snow conditions.
After additional rescuers and a State Parks ranger arrived, the team transitioned to a multi-person carry utilizing a climbing harness and sling system. A Green, Red, Amber (GAR) assessment identified a rescuer at risk for hypothermia after donating clothing to a subject; that rescuer escorted the ambulatory subject ahead to the tram station.
At the top of Grubbs Notch, Palm Springs Fire personnel packaged the patient into a State Parks rescue sled and transported her to the Mountain Station, where care was transferred to AMR. Both subjects were transported to Desert Regional Medical Center. Upon hospital arrival, Subject 2’s core temperature was recorded at 82°F, confirming severe hypothermia.
The mission concluded with successful location and evacuation of both subjects despite severe winter conditions.
RMRU Members Involved: (Blake Rankin, Trygve, Tobias, Dave K., Chad, Dave B.)
Other Agencies Involved: (California State Parks, Palm Springs Fire Department, and
American Medical Response (AMR))