Injured hiker rescued on remote trail in San Bernardino Mountains

Rescue crews with the San Bernardino County Fire Department hiked approximately two miles to a remote area in the San Bernardino Mountains to extract an injured hiker over the weekend, officials announced.  

The May 4^th rescue operation was launched at around 2:30 p.m. after firefighters received a report of the injured hiker on a trail just above the Deep Creek Hot Springs, fire officials said in a news release posted to social media.  

Once the injured hiker’s coordinates were confirmed, rescue personnel approached the area from the Apple Valley side of the Canyon, with crews getting on the trail from Bowen Ranch Road.  

“With rain falling, helicopter extraction was initially unavailable, and extra crews were called to prepare to hike the approximately 1-2 miles and then haul the patient out of the canyon with a mobile carrying device,” officials said.  

An SBCFD all-terrain vehicle was used to shuttle crews and supplies as far as possible before the rescue teams were forced go the rest of the way on foot.  

After the hiker was located and treated for his injuries, he was prepped for the return hike, but improving weather conditions made it possible for a sheriff’s helicopter approach the location, hoist the hiker off the trail and take him to a waiting ambulance.  

“The entire operation was completed in approximately five hours. All told, three engine companies [and] an urban search and rescue company were part of the hike in,” officials said. “This is in addition to the ambulance and airship crews as well as a County Fire Battalion chief as incident commander.”  

Rescue crews were forced to hike out of the area after nightfall but had marked the trail on the hike in and made it back safely.  

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