On S
unday afternoon, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call from a 19-year-old man. He reported that he and his 40-year-old mother had intended to hike the Lemmon Trail from the top of Mt. Lemmon down to Catalina State Park. They had taken food with them, but were running low on water. His mother became dehydrated and exhausted. She was not able to continue down the trail.
It was determined that it would take Search & Rescue deputies more than 5 hours from either direction (up from Catalina State Park or down from the top of the mountain) to reach them and a team was started. The Sheriff’s Department helicopter was also started, as it was possible that the two stranded hikers may not have been able to hike out the remaining 6 to 7 miles together with deputies.
The helicopter located mother and son quickly, thanks to coordinates received from their cell phone. They were both airlifted down to Catalina State Park. Golder Ranch Fire Department medically evaluated them. After initial treatment by paramedics, they did not require further medical attention and were picked up by a family member.