Grand County Search and Rescue responded to four rescue missions between July 22 and 28, adding to the list of numerous backcountry incidents that take place in Colorado’s busy summer recreation season.

The weeks’ first incident was called in on Tuesday, July 22, Grand County search and rescue assisted a hiker with an ankle injury on the Continental Divide Trail near Mount Flora. The hiker was stuck in an exposed section on the popular trail above tree line. Thanks to help from family, search and rescue volunteers and EMS, the patient was able to walk out on their own.

During the next mission on July 25, search and rescue were called to assist an injured mountain biker on the Iko Trail outside of Fraser. The rider had sustained a fall and was unable to continue due to a shoulder injury. Rescue teams were able to quickly respond with medical gear and performed a trail evacuation so that the rider could receive further care at the Fraser Medical Center.

A rescue on Saturday, July 26 involved a hiker with a leg injury along a remote, high-elevation stretch of the Continental Divide Trail between Bowen Mountain and Never Summer Mountain in Jackson County. Ground teams from search and rescue, the Grand Lake Fire Protection District and Grand County EMS were mobilized. After an initial assessment, Flight for Life Colorado was called in.

Flight for Life crews dropped off search and rescue members to reach the patient, who was then transported by helicopter to Grand County EMS. Search and rescue members assisted other hikers in the subject’s party in hiking out to the Bowen Gulch trailhead.

But the busy week wasn’t over yet. An overnight mission in the Indian Peak Wilderness was yet to come.

On Sunday, July 27, Grand County Search and Rescue responded to an SOS signal for two overdue hikers on the Hell Canyon Loop near Monarch Lake. Search efforts included multiple ground teams and an aerial flyover by Flight for Life Colorado. The hikers were found the following morning, July 28, safe and able to self-rescue even though they were cold, tired, hungry and dehydrated.

Grand County Search and Rescue encourages all hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to take precautions before heading out into the wilderness by always remembering the 10 essentials: a map, compass, sunglasses and sunscreen, extra clothing, headlamp or flashlight, first-aid supplies, fire starter, matches, knife and extra food. Bringing a mobile phone with a wireless charger and/or a personal location beacon is also advisable.