Missing Hikers Found Safe

Arnold, CA — The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department reports that five teen juveniles were found safe yesterday after going missing Sunday afternoon while on a hike.

The teens, ages 14 to 16, had been hiking in the area of the Arnold Rim Trail. They placed several cell phone calls telling people that they thought they were between Cougar Rock and Avery Sheep Ranch Road.

Early Monday morning, the five were located by Search and Rescue personnel in a steep canyon on the north side of Avery Sheep Ranch.

All five are Calaveras County residents, and were evaluated by medical staff and released to family members.

The search effort included two Sheriff’s Sergeants, ten volunteer searchers, one U.S. Forest Service Ranger and one search dog.

Written by bjhansen@mlode.com.