According to the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and search and rescue personnel responded to a call for help on Tuesday morning related to a hiker in distress.

Once at the scene, first responders found a 42-year-old Californian man stuck in rugged and loose terrain between two switchbacks on the notorious Black Bear Pass. It was determined that the man had traveled ‘off-trail’ to take pictures, getting stuck in the challenging terrain as rocks in an area of scree started tumbling down around him. His decision to travel into the dangerous area by himself was prompted by his goal to get a “better vantage point,” according to the sheriff’s office.

As rocks started to fall around him, he decided that he was unable to make it to safety and called for help.

Rescuers at the scene opted to use a rope rescue to bring the man to safety, and following a four-hour mission, the man was back on stable ground.

This situation highlights the importance of stay on-trail – not just for the sake of protecting fragile environments, but also for the safety of yourself and others. This man’s decision to leave the trail not only put him at risk, but also the rescuers that responded and members of the public who may be struck by rocks falling down the mountainside.

As San Miguel County Sheriff Dan Covault said, “We are reminded in cases like this one that it only takes a couple of missteps or an impulsive decision to need rescue. Please, take your time, have situational awareness, and be safe.”

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