Authorities rescue Elk Grove man who got lost on Amador County hike

A 21-year-old man from Elk Grove who got lost hiking in Amador County for about 18 hours was found Saturday by a search and rescue helicopter.

About 6:50 p.m. on Friday, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office received a report south of Silver Lake of a missing man last seen around noon, according to a news release from deputies. Personnel, including search and rescue volunteers, were immediately dispatched to begin a search around a campsite at Plasse’s Resort.

Search efforts continued overnight and were joined by aircraft from the California Highway Patrol and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, as well as search-and-rescue dogs from the California Rescue Dog Association.

The missing person, who was identified by name, was found by the CHP helicopter just after 11 a.m. Saturday morning about a mile from his campsite.

“Aside from a little sunburn and some mild dehydration, the subject was uninjured,” the Sheriff’s Office said.

The man told authorities that he went on a hike by himself when he got turned around and became lost, Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Kyle Wilson said. The man said he had attempted to find his way back to the camp but eventually decided to stay put and wait for rescue.

He was flown back to Plasse’s Resort to be reunited with his party.