Snow Creek Exhausted Hiker
June 27th, 2026
Snow Creek
2026-22
Written by: Wayne Clark
During our monthly Search and Rescue Academy (SARA) at the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO) Hemet substation, our instructor Eric was monitoring RSO aviation radio traffic concerning RSO Star 9 Sheriff’s rescue helicopter attempting a rescue for a 70-year-old exhausted and dehydrated male hiker above Snow Creek on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The crew of Star 9 reported that they would be unable to effect a rescue due to high winds and asked for Desert Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team (DSSAR). At this time, Eric alerted us to the possibility of us being added to the mission.
We were officially dispatched and en route to Falls Creek Road where a Command Post (CP) was set up. A plan was formulated and agreed on. Hasty Team 101 started up the trail with water and food to locate subject. A second team (102) proceeded up with the litter and wheel in case it was needed. Two additional teams were added to support the mission. Our subject wisely chose to stay in place until help arrived.
He was located 3.6 miles up the trail. A full medical assessment was performed. It was determined that the subject, after rehydration, would be able to hike out with RMRU assisting as needed. He was able to successfully hike down to the CP where care was handed off to American Medical Response (AMR) ambulance along with Riverside County Fire Department Medic Squad 24.
RMRU Members Involved: David Altenburg, Trygve Anderson, Jon Butler, Wayne Clark, Nathaniel Desforges, Ed Gelabert, Andy Hayt, Eric Holden, Geoffrey Marshall, Will Pendleton, Solan Watts, Richard Yocum
Other Agencies Involved: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office (RSO), Desert Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (DSSAR), AMR ambulance service, Riverside County Fire Department, Snow Creek Water District