• Hiker Missing in Desolation Wilderness - 2009
On June 9, 2009, a Placerville man who was reported missing in the Desolation Wilderness in the Sierra was found safe. Matthew Kinney, 26, was last seen at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday in the area of Loon Lake by the friend who dropped him off.
He was found in good health at about 3 p.m. Tuesday near Lake Schmidell, El Dorado County Sheriff's Department said.
Kinney's plan was to hike from Loon Lake to Horsetail Falls, spending two nights in the wilderness and ending his trip on June 6. When Kinney did not return, he was reported missing to El Dorado County Sheriff Office, which started search and rescue efforts.
SAR Member Justin said:
Chinook rides to and from assignment made the search easy to start, instead of a long hike in through Eagle or Horsetail trails. It was great seeing so many from neighboring counties, and the Red Cross firing up the BBQ was a nice way to end the search after finding the subject.
Side note: If one ever gets a Chinook ride into a gravely/dusty place, be prepared to bring back half the mountain in dust and grains on your person.
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