A 72-year-old woman missing for days after embarking on a solo camping trip in a Northern California forest was found alive over the weekend with injuries from a fall, authorities said.
Mary Beth Granbery was rescued on Oct. 4 after a joint search-and-rescue operation in the Cabin Creek Trailhead area of Shasta County, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office and Shasta County Sheriff's Office. Granbery had left for a multi-day camping trip on Sept. 28 but was reported missing after she failed to return home and did not report to work several days later.
Authorities said family members located Granbery's camper van at the Cabin Creek Trailhead on Oct. 3, prompting search-and-rescue teams from Siskiyou and Shasta counties to search the area.
Search crews found Granbery on Oct. 4 at the bottom of a steep embankment along the Cabin Creek Trailhead. She had sustained "multiple significant injuries from a fall, as well as from exposure," according to the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office.
A California Highway Patrol Air Operations crew was called in because of the severity of her injuries, authorities said. Granbery was hoisted from the area and flown to a landing zone, where she was transferred to an air ambulance and taken to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California, for treatment, according to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office.
The Shasta County Sheriff's Office said Granbery was alive and conscious when rescuers reached her. Authorities described her injuries as serious but non-life-threatening and said she was in stable condition.
Search centered on popular trail area in Shasta-Trinity National Forest
The search focused on the Cabin Creek Trailhead, an access point for hikers and horseback riders using the Pacific Crest Trail in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the trailhead sits at an elevation of about 3,000 feet and provides access to the Pacific Crest Trail via a quarter-mile walk from the parking area.
Near the area of Yet Atwam Creek, where the trail begins a steady climb of roughly 1,700 feet to Girard Ridge before descending into the Sacramento River Canyon, according to the Forest Service.
Authorities have not released details about the circumstances of Granbery's fall or how long she remained at the bottom of the embankment before she was discovered.
The search covered rugged terrain near the Shasta-Siskiyou county line, including steep canyon slopes, creeks, dirt roads and shelf trails, according to the Shasta County Search and Rescue Jeep Patrol. Searchers also navigated trail debris and downed trees, while radio communications in some areas required relays or satellite technology.
Camping and hiking safety tips
Local officials said the incident highlights the importance of preparing for unexpected emergencies during outdoor excursions, especially on multi-day trips.
Following the rescue, the Shasta County Search and Rescue Jeep Patrol urged hikers and campers to plan and let someone know where they are going and when they expect to return. They also recommended leaving a note in a vehicle before setting out on foot and remaining in one location if lost or injured to avoid "unnecessarily" expanding the search area.
The National Park Service advises hikers to stay on designated trails, plan for weather and trail conditions, and carry essential emergency supplies.
The agency encourages visitors to pack the "10 Essentials," including navigation tools, extra clothing, water, food, a flashlight and first-aid supplies, and to create an emergency plan before departing. Campers are also urged to know their physical limits, research conditions ahead of time, and prepare for unexpected delays or changing weather.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Missing hiker, 72, found alive after days in California forest
