New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents in the Adirondacks. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.
What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers.
Hamilton County
Town of Indian Lake
Wilderness Rescue: On April 4 at 6:20 pm, Hamilton County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a family of hikers from Johnstown took the wrong trail while visiting Rock Lake in the Blue Mountain Wild Forest area. Dispatch called the family, and with coordinates obtained through 911, placed them near the end of the Rock River Trail about three miles from the trailhead. Forest Ranger Lt. Brian Dubay directed the hikers to head south on the trail and pass straight through the four-way intersection to reach their vehicle. Forest Ranger Gary Miller was notified, responded to the trailhead, and started walking in to meet with the family. At 8:27 pm, Dispatch contacted the hikers again and requested new coordinates that showed they had taken a left at the intersection and were heading down a snowmobile trail that eventually parallels Route 28. With this information, Ranger Miller returned to his vehicle and drove down Route 28 to the group’s last known location and was able to make voice contact with the family. The Ranger then entered the woods, found the family, and at 9:15 pm everyone was out and heading back home.
Warren County
Town of Warrensburg
Wilderness Rescue: On April 5 at 3:50 pm, Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch reporting a group of three girls lost on Hackensack Mountain. A 17-year-old, 10-year-old, and four-year-old from Warrensburg took a walk and lost the trail. Coordinates provided by 911 placed the group in the woods near a private road. Forest Ranger Art Perryman responded to their location and brought the girls out to Pennock Drive where they were met by parents.
Be Prepared: Properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hiking Safety webpage.
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