Texas hiker rescued from 3.5-mile trail near Crater Lake after getting sick

DENVER ( KDVR ) — A 50-year-old hiker from Texas was rescued from a 3.5-mile out-and-back trail near Crater Lake on Sunday, according to the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center received the message at about 2:20 p.m. through text-to-911. The hiker was possibly suffering from either diabetic hypoglycemia or altitude sickness.

The hiker, who reported themselves to be a 50-year-old from Texas, was on the popular Crater Lake Trail, which begins at the Maroon Bells Visitor Center in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area, according to Pitkin County officials.

Mountain Rescue Aspen was notified of the situation, and at 3:12 p.m., the first of two rescue teams entered the field on the Crater Lake Trail. The rescue team found the hiker at 3:35 p.m. and began administering fluids and electrolytes. At 3:40 p.m., the team and the sick hiker started back down the trail on foot, meeting with the second team on the way.

At 4:35 p.m., both teams and the hiker reached the trailhead. There, the hiker was met by medics from Aspen Ambulance. The hiker was assessed by medics and declined further assistance before leaving in a private car.

The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and Mountain Rescue Aspen noted in the joint release that individuals traveling into the backcountry should be aware of their physical limitations and not exceed them, “as nearly all backcountry rescues involve a lengthy, time-consuming effort.”

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