LA QUINTA: Woman, 21, rescued from popular hiking trail after becoming lost

LA QUINTA — A 21-year-old woman who became lost while hiking along a popular desert trail was located and guided to safety by officials and search and rescue personnel, Friday evening, Jan. 19.

The woman became lost while hiking the popular Cove to Lake Trail in La Quinta. The trail traverses a nearly seven mile section between a neighborhood on La Quinta’s south side and nearby Lake Cahuilla.

The lightly traveled trail, situated near the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, is accessible year-round and features wild flowers and bighorn sheep. The trail and lake also offer a number of activity options.

Although open to all skill levels, most who have traveled the trail rate it as moderately difficult – primarily due to its soft, sandy path and extreme weather and temperature changes. Also, because of the desert terrain, there is little to no shade to be found – other than at the lake.

Deputies assigned to the Riverside County Sheriff’s La Quinta Police Station responded to a trail-head in the area of Calle Tecate and Avenida Ramirez just before 7 p.m., after the woman called 911 to report she had become lost, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Steve Davis explained the day after the woman’s rescue.

Other than her cell phone, the woman – who officials have not identified – left on her hike without any food, water or any safety or emergency gear, according to Davis.

A California Highway Patrol helicopter and volunteer members of the  Desert Search and Rescue Team assisted with search efforts.

After rescuers located the victim, they hiked to her location before helping to guide her back off the trail to safety. She was not injured in the incident.

Officials used the opportunity to remind all those wishing to enjoy Riverside County’s extensive hiking trails to take along plenty of water, food, a compass, a signal whistle, mirror or other such device and a mobile charging port, to be able to maintain a charged cell phone. Hikers should also hike with a companion or group when possible and notify friends and family with a specific hiking plan as well as expected time and location of return.

 

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Trevor Montgomery, who recently moved from Riverside County to Shasta County, runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.