Searchers find hiker missing from Elkhart Park
K-9s and search teams on horseback, 4-wheelers, boats, planes, helicopter and hiking work the search
June 27, 2006
Search and Rescue personnel had a busy day on Friday attempting to locate a hiker who was missing from Elkhart Park in the Wind River Range. Elkhart Park is at around 9,000 feet elevation at the head end of Fremont Lake, approximately 17 miles east of Pinedale near the Bridger Wilderness.
Sublette County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) personnel were contacted Friday morning, June 23, by a woman who reported that her 24-year old cousin was missing. The call set into motion mobilization from the Sublette County Emergency Management teams and Sublette County Tip Top Search and Rescue to respond to the scene. Search dog handlers and Wyoming K-9 from Teton County were also brought in to assist in the search efforts.
Search and Rescue personnel were sent to the Long Lake Trail, along with 4-wheelers and horseback teams, in an expanding circle around Elkhart Park, according to a SCSO report.
A private plane, flown by Zane White, flew over the area with a Sublette County Sheriff’s Deputy on board as an observer. A boat was sent to the head end of Fremont Lake to search the lakeshore. The Bridger-Teton National Forest assisted by sending in a Forest Service helicopter to aerial search the area.
A little after 6 pm, searchers with the boat that went to the head of Fremont Lake found the missing hiker. She was in good condition, tired, thirsty and with some blisters on her feet. She was taken back to Elkhart Park and reunited with her camping companions.
Sublette County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Jim Whinnery said, "The Sheriff’s Office would like to commend Tip Top Search and Rescue, Wyoming K-9’s from Teton County, Bridger-Teton Forest Service Helicopter and Zane White for assisting in the search efforts."
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