Deputies credit missing hikers in Sierra Nevada rescue: ‘Every minute matters’
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- Placer sheriff’s teams found two hikers who went missing overnight near Royal Gorge.
- Dispatchers and deputies coordinated information provided the hikers’ family.
- Search and Rescue teams found the missing hikers Friday morning near Palisade Lake.
Placer County sheriff’s officials credited two hikers who were reported missing overnight for taking key safety steps that helped search and rescue teams locate them Friday morning.
Before they went out, the missing hikers had shared their plans and an expected return time with family, which was crucial information that allowed a swift response from authorities, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
Shortly before 9 p.m. Thursday, the Sheriff’s Office received a report that two men had gone hiking and were several hours overdue from their planned return. Authorities said dispatchers worked closely with deputies to gather information from the family, and the hikers’ vehicle was found soon after in a parking area near Royal Gorge.
A sheriff’s helicopter searched the area until around midnight, but the missing hikers were not found. The sheriff’s Search and Rescue teams were deployed at sunrise Friday.
Sheriff’s officials said the family’s detailed information, along with coordination between dispatchers and deputies, the search was focused on a specific area.
Shortly before 9 a.m. Friday, search and rescue teams located the two missing hikers near Palisade Lake. The men were cold after spending the night in 32-degree weather but were otherwise in good condition, sheriff’s officials said.
“In search and rescue operations, every minute matters,” sheriff’s officials said in a Facebook post. “We’re thankful for a quick and positive outcome, and we’d like to commend our dispatchers, deputies, and Search and Rescue crews for their excellent and fast work.”
This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 1:43 PM.
