California man found dead after falling from Sierra mountain bike trail, sheriff says
A Bay Area man was found dead Tuesday after he fell from a cliff during a mountain biking trip in Sierra County, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Joel Lusk, 60, of Berkeley was reported missing Monday when he didn’t return home from a mountain biking and camping trip in the Sierra Nevada, north of Tahoe National Forest.
The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Lusk had taken a mountain bike shuttle from Downieville to Packer Saddle on Oct. 6. He had planned to ride the Downieville Downhill Trail and camp at the Gold Lake Basin area, the Sheriff’s Office said.
When his family didn’t hear from him, his wife called the shuttle company and confirmed Lusk’s vehicle, along with his camping gear was still parked in Downieville.
On Tuesday, search and rescue teams from Marin, Nevada and Sierra counties began looking for Lusk. The California National Guard deployed a Blackhawk helicopter to assist in the search.
“Around 11:40 a.m., searchers discovered Mr. Lusk’s mountain bike down a steep and remote area along the trail,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “The bicycle was located approximately 100 feet below the trail, near the top of a large cliff and a box canyon.”
Rope teams rappelled down the cliffs into the Pauly Creek drainage. Due to the difficult terrain, a drone was deployed. Rescue workers found Lusk’s remains approximately 900 feet downstream, the Sheriff’s Office said. His remains were lifted into a helicopter.
“The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office extends its heartfelt condolences to Mr. Lusk’s family and friends during this incredibly challenging and distressing time,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
