Hikers face fine after California cliff rescue. Is hiking off-trail illegal?

Two hikers rescued from a cliff near the Golden Gate Bridge face a fine for going off-trail, authorities said.

The rescue took place about 4 p.m. Monday, June 22, the San Francisco Fire Department reported on social media.

Two people were rescued by the department’s cliff rescue teams and a California Highway Patrol helicopter.

A video posted by firefighters shows the helicopter hoisting a rescuer with one of the hikers from a cliff overlooking the bay.

The hikers will be fined by Golden Gate National Recreation Area park police for going off-trail and ignoring warning signs, firefighters said.

Is it against the law to go off-trail in California?

State law makes it illegal to go off-trail within natural preserves, cultural preserves, state cultural reserves or state natural reserves in California state parks.

Exceptions include areas identified as travel routes in master plans, areas designated as open for off-trail use and areas designated by rangers as open for off-trail use for public access.

Can you be fined if you require rescue?

The National Park Service pays the cost of rescues in national parks. But visitors can be fined for violating rules, including going off-trail, in national trails or national wild and scenic rivers.

Several states and agencies also charge for rescues, particularly when visitors have ignored warning signs.