Phone, dog found as search for missing hiker near Colfax continues, deputies say
Original story:
A search continues for a woman missing on a hiking trail near Colfax since Friday, Placer County sheriff’s officials said.
The woman was reported missing on Codfish Falls Trail at 6 p.m. Friday, sheriff’s officials said in a Saturday news release.
She was last seen about 2:30 p.m. Friday walking with her dog, which was found alone at 2:45 p.m., deputies said.
Searchers later found her vehicle parked in the area, along with a dog bowl and her phone beside a river, deputies said. Her dog was found and is safe.
The search for the woman continues with dive teams and boats on the river, with help from the Auburn State Recreation Area and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Colfax is about a 50-mile drive northeast from Sacramento.
What to do if you get lost while hiking
If you think you’re getting lost, experts say it’s best to stop where you are and not panic. You should go over how you got to that point and if you’re able to see any landmarks around.
“Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step,” officials with the U.S. Forest Service said.
You should come up with a plan but stay put unless you are “very, very confident in the route.”
There are steps hikers can take to avoid getting lost and be better prepared for the unexpected:
- Have more than enough food and water with you.
- Take a compass that you know how to use, or have a GPS device on hand.
- Don’t rely solely on your cell phone. It probably won’t work because of a lack of signal or a depleted battery.
- Study the terrain and your route, and you should know how you’ll return.
- Have the right clothing. Sturdy hiking boots and layers can help you be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
- Pack a blanket, flashlight and matches.
- Check with a local ranger for special warnings. They can tell you about “fires in the area, bear sightings, flooding, trail or road closures.”
This story was originally published January 4, 2026 at 9:39 AM with the headline "Phone, dog found as search for missing hiker near Colfax continues, deputies say."