On Friday afternoon September 25, a woman described as of Asian descent and slight build, was hiking up the Rush Creek Trail near Agnew Lake with her husband. According to reports, the man decided he had gone as far as he wanted to go, and turned back. His wife, however, wanted to continue,and proceeded up the trail alone. When she did not return overnight, the Mono County Search and Rescue team was called. Fortunately, nighttime temperatures were quite warm for late September, as she lacked the proper gear for an overnight stay at high elevation.
A dozen or more rescuers, aided by a helicopter, searched the area throughout the morning on Saturday to no avail. Then, during mid-afternoon the woman found her way back, emerging from the woods along Highway 158 near Fire Station #2. She had scrapes on her body, likely from sliding down over rocks during her descent from the high country, and she was showing signs of dehydration. It was guessed that she must have gone up to the Carson Peak area and circled around, descending via Fern Creek or Yost Creek canyon.
Mono County Paramedics gave her a ride to Northern Inyo Hospital for evaluation.
comments (8)
That is not smart hiking in the mountains by your self in late afternoon, it gets dark fast and it is hard to find the way
out! She is very lucky not to meet any wild animals on her way, the Loop is well noun by the visitors like bears!
I don't understand all this fear of wild animals! Stupidity kills and hurts more people that *any* wild animal does. Hiking by herself without gear in the afternoon? Obviously did not know the trails. If she came out at the fire station what did she do? Turn right at Rush Creek falls and then scramble past Fern Creek/Yost Creek and out? That's a long way from Agnew Lake. She's lucky her stupidity did not find her a body bag.....
Ok, fear about wild animals? You probably never meet tham at loop, I can tell You many interesting story's.
You rigth about hiking without gear!
Hmm. Last time I had a bear encouter, it was at Waugh Lake (upper Rush Creek). It was *way* more interested in my pack that it was in me. In fact, some yelling and a thrown rock convinced the bear that there were easier pickings around. Does that count?
About the most ferocious animal that you will encounter is a marmot. They will bare their teeth and challenge you. The only difference between a marmot and a coyote is the marmot won't give up.
As junelake says - the only animal up there that would prefer human on their menu are mountain lions. And they are very few and far between.
It is true that there is a lot of wildlife around June Lake, and yes there are many bears. However the animals do not present the biggest threat when you are lost in the backcountry. Humans are not really preferred menu items, even for black bears. Probably the most dangerous animals in the wild around here are mountain lions, and they are rarely seen. The biggest risks to a person's life are usually related to exposure, injury or starvation/dehydration.
I'm heading to June Lake next weekend. How is the fall color coming along?
O, i love June in this time of season, this is the most beautiful time with all different fall colors!
i love the gulllake cam just saw snow on the deck wish i were there