Hiker found after becoming lost overnight in Walker Ranch Open Space

Nicky Andrews, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo.
·2 min read
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Sep. 27—A hiker became lost overnight Sunday in the area of Walker Ranch Open Space in Boulder County after becoming disoriented and unable to find her husband.

At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, a 50-year-old woman set out on a hike at the South Boulder Creek while her husband fished. The two had agreed to meet at a bridge that intersected the creek and trail at a set time. However, when her husband returned to meet with her, she was not there and didn't return for an extended period of time, according to a Boulder County Sheriff's Office news release.

The husband checked the trailhead before beginning to search around the creek and trails, the release said. At the same time, the woman called 911 and told a dispatcher which trailhead she left from, and that she became lost, before her phone died.

Upon arriving on scene, deputies located her husband before beginning to search trailheads. Emergency services personnel, including Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and Front Range rescue dogs, were called in and a search operation was started at about 8 p.m.

The search areas included Walker Ranch Loop, Eldorado Canyon State Park, and South Boulder Creek Drainage, according to the release. Teams continued searching until 4 a.m. before stopping with plans to return with new searchers at 8 a.m., the release said.

At 8 a.m. Monday, the search continued and nearby residents received a notification asking to look out for the woman.

Around 10 a.m. Monday, the woman walked into the visitor center at Eldorado Canyon State Park uninjured, the release said. She was taken back to the Walker Ranch trailhead and reunited with her husband.

Assisting agencies included Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Boulder County Mounted Search and Rescue, Boulder County Parks and Open Space, Boulder Emergency Squad, City of Boulder Open Space Mountain Parks Rangers, Colorado Search and Rescue Association, Eldorado Canyon State Park Rangers, Front Range Rescue Dogs, and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group.