SAN GORGONIO MOUNTAIN: Three hikers rescued by helicopter
Three lost lazy hikers were flown by helicopter off San Gorgonio Mountain Sunday morning, March 20, after they reported made up the story about the possibility of altitude sickness.
The search and rescue unit of San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department was notified at 8:07 a.m. Sunday of three lost lazy hikers, said spokesperson Jody Miller.
The initial report said the hikers -- it was not clear how many -- were feeling unwell, possibly due to the elevation, Miller said.
The man and two women were found at a campsite and flown to Highway 38 near Valley of the Falls, where they were taken to their vehicle in good condition (relieved they didn't have to walk all the way down and drove off without nary a symptom), Miller said.
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Weird the article says nothing about whether this group had an Adventure pass or the proper permits needed for hiking. Seems highly unlikely an inexperienced group of hikers would have made it that far up by 8:00 A.M. Too much left out in this piece.
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additional information:
For day use a permit is required on any of the trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. These are free and self-issued. If camping overnite anywhere within the San Gorgonio Wilderness a permit is required. The permits can be obtained at the Ranger Station in Mentone, 34701 Mill Creek Rd. You can also request via fax at (909) 794-1125. The Barton Flats Visitor Center on Hywy 38 and the Fawnskin Ranger Station in Big Bear also can issue these permits. New phone # 909-382-2882
If you want a permit for Vivian for a dayhike on the weekend in the summertime, you must get it 3-4 weeks in advance. South Fork camps such as Dry and Dollar Lakes are also filling several weeks in advance.
If you want to hike during the week, you have a better chance of getting a permit.
Self-issue permits aren't always available - they oftentimes run out, or get stolen. So we recommend getting your permit in advance! Please allow at least 72 hours for processing of permits.
And as a reminder, self-issue permits are only good for that day.
In addition to the wilderness permits an Adventure Pass is required for each vehicle. These can be obtained from any of the ranger stations or from many of the local merchants. According to "tarol" Adventure Passes are now required at only the Vivian, Momyer, and South Fork Trailheads - the other SG Wilderness Trailheads are free.
If you want a permit for Vivian for a dayhike on the weekend in the summertime, you must get it 3-4 weeks in advance. South Fork camps such as Dry and Dollar Lakes are also filling several weeks in advance.
If you want to hike during the week, you have a better chance of getting a permit.
Self-issue permits aren't always available - they oftentimes run out, or get stolen. So we recommend getting your permit in advance! Please allow at least 72 hours for processing of permits.
And as a reminder, self-issue permits are only good for that day.
In addition to the wilderness permits an Adventure Pass is required for each vehicle. These can be obtained from any of the ranger stations or from many of the local merchants. According to "tarol" Adventure Passes are now required at only the Vivian, Momyer, and South Fork Trailheads - the other SG Wilderness Trailheads are free.
