Press Release: 69 year old woman rescued in Garapata State Park after falling from trail over 16 hours earlier
DATE/TIME: 5/29/25 at 4:45 PM
TYPE OF INCIDENT: 69 Year Old Woman Who Fell Off Hiking Trail in Garapata State Park Rescued After She Was Reported Missing 16 Hours Earlier -
LOCATION: Garapata State Park, Monterey County, California
MEDIA CONTACT: Andres Rosas, Commander; Phone: 831-261-5492; Email: rosasae@countyofmonterey.gov
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team coordinated a search and rescue operation to search for and a woman that had been reported missing for over 16 hours. She was located and transported to a hospital for minor injuries.
On May 28th, 2025, about 8:00 PM, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and California State Parks were notified of an overdue hiker in Garapata State Park’s Soberanes Trail. Family reported that a 69-year-old woman who routinely hikes in this area, left her residence about 2:00 PM to hike the Soberanes Trail. At about 6:00 PM, she did not return home, and family began searching for her and located her vehicle in the area of the Soberanes Trail. It was reported that the hiker has diagnosed medical conditions which put her at risk.
Upon being notified, Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, California State Parks and Monterey County Urban Search and Rescue began a search for the missing hiker. The search continued until about 2:00 AM before being suspended. About 7:00 AM, Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, along with California State Parks and Search and Rescue Teams from Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, responded to the area to assist in the search efforts. Further assistance was provided by CalFire drones, a CHP helicopter and a California Rescue Dog Association K9 team.
At about 12:30 PM, the missing hiker was located after a search team called out and heard the woman’s faint voice. She was found to have minor injuries after falling off the main trail. She was extracted from the area via CHP’s H-70 helicopter and then transferred to a ground ambulance for transport to local hospital for the treatment of her injuries.