Body of hiker who fell over waterfall at popular swim spot in Tuolumne County is recovered

Deke Farrow
·2 min read
6

The body of a man who fell over a waterfall at a popular swimming spot east of Pinecrest was recovered Thursday, the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office reports.

Gabriel Castaneda, 38, fell into the south fork of the Stanislaus River on Sunday, June 23. He’d been hiking with friends near the upper portion of Cleo’s Bath when he slipped on rocks and fell in rapid waters above the waterfall. The Union Democrat reported that Castaneda was a Turlock resident.

A rescue effort was begun by Sheriff’s Office’s Search and Rescue Team, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service. On Thursday, at about 2:30 p.m., Sheriff’s Office dispatch got a call that Castaneda’s body had been found by an independent diver in a pool downriver of Cleo’s Bath.

The Search and Rescue Team hiked into the area and “located Castaneda in a steep gorge in close proximity to the swift-moving water,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook. “Due to the steep terrain and proximity to the swift moving water, CHP Helicopter H20 was requested to assist in the recovery.” The CHP copter carried his body to a nearby location where coroner’s personnel took over the investigation.

On Facebook, a cousin of Castaneda’s identified the diver as Juan Heredia. His Facebook page identifies him as a Stockton-based search-and-recovery diving instructor.

“We want to remind the public to always use caution around swiftwater and near waterfalls,” the Sheriff’s Office post announcing the body recovery says. “Waterways are especially dangerous during spring and early summer when snow melt causes high, swift and cold water currents. Cold, fast-running water can be dangerous to even the strongest swimmers due to the speed of the water, obstacles below the water’s surface and cold-water temperature.

“Additionally, we encourage the public to exercise caution near swift water moving over granite surfaces because the rocks around the water can become very smooth and easy to slip on.”

A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew works June 27 on recovering the body of hiker Juan Castaneda, who fell over a waterfall at the popular recreation area Cleo’s Bath in Tuolumne County.
A California Highway Patrol helicopter crew works June 27 on recovering the body of hiker Juan Castaneda, who fell over a waterfall at the popular recreation area Cleo’s Bath in Tuolumne County.