Hikers find dog abandoned with nothing but water bowl on top of California mountain
While on a routine hike to the top of a California mountain before sunrise, a group of dedicated hikers stumbled upon something unexpected at the peak.
There they found a dog who appeared to have been abandoned with nothing but a bowl of water at the top of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, The 5am Crew hiking group founder Omar Covarrubias said Aug. 22 on social media.
“We found a dog at the top, it was a German shepherd, he had his tail between his legs, his ears were down, he looked scared and he looked alone,” Covarrubias said. “He had no food and no owner, no leash, no collar.”
The group had no way to tell how long the dog had been on the mountain alone and without food. Crew members spent about 25 minutes gaining the frightened dog’s trust and trying to find his owner, but no one claimed him, Covarrubias said.
They started calling him Hiker. The dog wouldn’t walk, so together crew members carried Hiker the 3 miles down the mountain in a tarp one of the hikers had brought with him, a TikTok video shows.
“He’s not showing it right now but he’s in a good mood. He’s actually enjoying the ride down,” Covarrubias said during an Instagram Live video as the group carried Hiker down the mountain. “I know he wasn’t really happy about the beginning of his morning, but he found a nice group of people that care about him.”
The hiker who had brought the tarp, referenced as Daniel in a clip, determined he would take Hiker in and get him veterinary attention, videos show.
Two days later, Hiker joined the group on the hike up to the Tom LaBonge Panorama, where they had rescued him, video shows. The hiking crew wasn’t sure how he might do “considering the last time he was there wasn’t a great experience for him,” Covarrubias said.
Video shows Hiker trotting calmly on a leash next to Daniel.
“He’s literally just enjoying himself,” Covarrubias said. “...So far this little guy is doing fantastic.”
Now Hiker is a sort of mascot for the group, Covarrubias said.
“Hiker is now in safe hands with Daniel, who has taken him to the vet for shots and provided him with plenty of food and toys,” Covarrubias said on social media. “We’ve even included Hiker in our logo, symbolizing his new place in our community.”
Daniel decided to adopt Hiker, at least until the dog’s owner comes forward, Covarrubias said. In the follow-up video showing Hiker on his first hike with the group, 40-year-old Daniel shared that Hiker is his first dog.
Dog and animal lovers donated money to help with the costs of veterinary care for Hiker.
“This experience has truly shown the power of community,” Covarrubias said.
