A hiker was rescued by helicopter near Morongo Valley this weekend after fleeing from a bear and getting stranded.
On Sunday (August 18) just after noon, a hiker contacted emergency personnel after an extended hike went awry. The hiker told the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department that on Saturday (August 17), they were hiking in the area of Mission Creek Preserve near Morongo Valley when they spotted a bear. The hiker told responders that they scared the bear away and ran, hiding through the rest of the night.
When the sun came up on Sunday morning, the hiker attempted to return to the trailhead, but encountered signs of the bear again, and changed their route, becoming lost. The hiker ran out of water, and called emergency personnel. Responders included county Sheriff’s deputies, Morongo Basin Ambulance and the Morongo Valley Fire Department.
Because of their remote location, a helicopter was dispatched and the hiker was hoisted to safety. The hiker declined medical treatment and was returned to their car at the Mission Creek trailhead at which point they drove home.
The state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife was notified about the bear.
