“I can only imagine how grateful this hiker and her family are to have had the public safety, and search and rescue, resources available to them that resulted in her being found and her injuries cared for.  This is an example of the need for California State Park rangers and their search and rescue partners.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

MONTEREY COUNTY – On May 28, 2025, at about 8:00 p.m., California State Parks and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office were notified of an overdue hiker at Garapata State Park. Family reported that a 69-year-old woman who routinely hikes in this area, left her residence about 2:00 in the afternoon to hike the Soberanes Trail. By about 6:00 p.m., she had not return home.  Family began searching for her and located her vehicle in the area of the Soberanes Trail. It was reported that the hiker has diagnosed medical conditions which put her at risk.

Upon being notified, Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, California State Parks and Monterey County Urban Search and Rescue began a search for the missing hiker. The search continued until about 2:00 a.m. before being suspended. About 7:00 a.m. the next morning, Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, along with California State Parks and Search and Rescue Teams from Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, responded to the area to assist in the search efforts. Further assistance was provided by CalFire drones, a CHP helicopter and a California Rescue Dog Association K9 team.

At about 12:30 p.m., more than 18 hours after being reported missing, the hiker was located. A search team had heard the woman’s faint voice after calling out for her. The missing hiker was had minor injuries after falling off the main trail. She was extracted from the area via CHP’s H-70 helicopter and then transferred to a ground ambulance for transport to local hospital for the treatment of her injuries.