Pinecrest firefighters rescue stranded hikers
A 4-year-old child suffering from mild hypothermia was among a group of four who got stranded in snow while hiking at Pinecrest Reservoir and had to be rescued Sunday evening.
Four volunteer firefighters from the Tuolumne County Fire Department’s Station 55 in Pinecrest responded about 5:30 p.m. Sunday to help the four people who were stuck on the far side of the reservoir, the department said in a news release on Monday.
It took the firefighters 45 minutes on snowshoes to hike to the back of the reservoir, where they found the group unprepared for the frigid cold conditions.
The firefighters warmed the four people and gave them food, water, dry socks and heat pads before hiking them out, which took nearly an hour and a half and
required the firefighters to carry the child at times.
Tuolumne County sheriff, ambulance and searchand-rescue personnel met with the group near the reservoir’s marina, the fire department said.
It was the first rescue mission at the reservoir this year, but far from the first time volunteer firefighters in Pinecrest have had to save underprepared hikers.
Two groups of hikers had to be rescued within 10 days of each other at the reservoir last February, with both calling for help near the South Fork Stanislaus River inlet on the east end of the reservoir.
The county Fire Department warned in the news release on Monday that winter hiking around Pinecrest is not for beginners.
“In these conditions, be prepared for all situations and know your limitations,” the agency said. “Speak to friends and research how long the hike takes during these conditions, and add a margin for error or delay before you start out.”