Pacific Crest Trail Hiker Rescued in Siskiyou County After Severe Injury

On Sunday, August 25th, an experienced Canadian hiker on the Pacific Crest Trail near Seiad Valley faced a perilous situation after slipping on a steep section of the trail and severely injuring her ankle. The injury left her unable to walk, prompting her to activate an InReach device to alert Siskiyou County Sheriff’s dispatchers of her emergency.

With daylight fading quickly, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Air Operations to locate and attempt a rescue. The helicopter crew located the hiker approximately four miles south of the Seiad Valley trailhead. However, due to dense tree cover and steep terrain, the helicopter was unable to safely extract the hiker.

The Sheriff’s Office then mobilized its Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteers for a ground mission. The team faced challenging conditions, including dense brush and rugged terrain, but persevered through the night to reach the injured hiker. After a grueling 8-mile rescue effort, the SAR team successfully transported the hiker on a wheeled litter to an ambulance just after 5:00 a.m. on Monday morning.

This incident highlights the critical importance of carrying an emergency alert beacon when venturing into remote areas, particularly when hiking alone. Such devices can be lifesaving in situations where cell service is unavailable and first responders face difficult access. Adventurers are also encouraged to share their travel plans with someone and to consider hiking with a partner whenever possible.