Hidden Falls

lunch with a view
 

Snow having arrived in the high Sierra, our group joined forces with the rest of the Wednesday hikers to explore about 9 miles of

 new trails in the park at Hidden Falls.  Within the past year, this park has been upgraded so that there are lots of new trails, beefy bridges, and overlooks.  A quad dragging a scraper was grooming the trail even as we arrived.  Mountain bikers and horse trailers were also arriving in the large parking lot.  We took the trail past the falls to the overlook before turning down the creek on the other side.  To our surprise, the trail we had wanted to take said that it was one way the other way.  We changed plans and went up Squirrel Trail to parallel the creek at a higher level with the intention of taking the Creekside Trail the correct way later in the day.  We got to the edge of the park and looped around down Squirrel trail to the creek crossing for lunch.  Crossing the creek, there was a row of rocks near the water which was perfect for lunch.  While we ate we watched horseback riders and mountain bikers come down to enjoy the water. 

After lunch, we re-crossed the bridge and headed back up the Creekside Trail.  While hiking, one of our hikers became dehydrated and overheated, slowing him down to the point of resting.  A fellow hiker provided him with a lighter shirt and some water.  The day had started out quite cool and was quickly becoming warmer than anticipated, especially apparent during the long hill climb.  As the hiker joined the rest of the group his discomforts appeared to be worsening, necessitating him to stop even as he was going down hill.  It became apparent to him and the rest of the group that this could be turning into an emergency.

We tried to call 911 for help but quickly realized that there was no phone service.  Figuring we could get service further up the canyon, two of us ran forward while continuing to check the phone.  We ran across someone with another cell carrier who said that they, too, did not have service.  About 1/4 mile before the parking lot we finally got through to the dispatcher.  Once at the parking lot the EMT vehicles arrived about 15 minutes later.  Oddly, the young men seemed completely unfamiliar with the territory so one member rode with them to the spot.

Thankfully, the stricken hiker had recovered sufficiently to be out of immediate danger, although the hike back up to the parking lot was not something he could handle.  He refused medical help, but was thankful for the ride.  He assures us that he will calling his doctor the next day. 

This is a cautionary tale not only for us but for the park.  They've put in a gorgeously groomed recreational setting that is obviously being well appreciated and used.  Emergencies can and will happen and there has to be a way of contacting help.  Either they need to add cell towers or emergency phones.  A ranger interviewed a couple of us and will write this up in her report. We will forward a link to this blog to the Placer County Parks. 

From Frank:

Our Odd View from air