Multnomah Co. Sheriff's Office

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News Release

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Completes Two Search And Rescue Missions In Columbia River Gorge - 10/24/26

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Search and Rescue (SAR) teams responded to two rescue missions in less than 24 hours near the Horsetail Falls trail system in the Columbia River Gorge. Both incidents involved hikers who attempted to use the Rock of Ages trail - an area that has been unmaintained since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. The route is rugged, overgrown, and known for steep cliffs and unstable terrain.

 

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, called 911 after becoming lost and stranded on a cliff. SAR Coordinators established contact, obtained their location, and deployed the MCSO Green Hornet hasty team along with roughly 25 MCSO Search and Rescue volunteers. Teams began hiking at 9:00 p.m. and reached the pair shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23. Searchers safely guided the juveniles out of the wilderness, where they reunited with family around 4:30 a.m.

 

Less than eight hours later, on Friday, October 23, at approximately 12:40 p.m., SAR was activated for a second incident involving two adult hikers, ages 20 and 24. They reported being lost, surrounded by cliffs, and unable to locate the trail. After deputies established contact, SAR Coordinators organized a response. Around 2:30 p.m., roughly 20 MCSO SAR volunteers re-entered the same wilderness area searched earlier that morning. Teams reached the hikers around 9:00 p.m. and guided them out of the wilderness at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

 

During debriefings, SAR Coordinators learned that both groups had attempted to navigate portions of the closed Rock of Ages trail. Each group reported losing the route and continuing off-trail in an effort to self-rescue. In one case, reliance on a popular hiking app led hikers into an immensely hazardous location, requiring nearly six hours of technical searching to reach safely.

 

MCSO reminds the public that the Rock of Ages trail is not maintained and conditions in the area are extremely hazardous and can quickly lead to disorientation or injury. Hikers are strongly encouraged to stay on open, maintained trails; research routes using official land management resources; and carry the appropriate equipment for changing conditions.

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Completes Two Search And Rescue Missions In Columbia River Gorge - 10/24/26

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Search and Rescue (SAR) teams responded to two rescue missions in less than 24 hours near the Horsetail Falls trail system in the Columbia River Gorge. Both incidents involved hikers who attempted to use the Rock of Ages trail - an area that has been unmaintained since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. The route is rugged, overgrown, and known for steep cliffs and unstable terrain.

 

On Thursday, October 22, 2026, at approximately 7:30 p.m., two juveniles, ages 15 and 16, called 911 after becoming lost and stranded on a cliff. SAR Coordinators established contact, obtained their location, and deployed the MCSO Green Hornet hasty team along with roughly 25 MCSO Search and Rescue volunteers. Teams began hiking at 9:00 p.m. and reached the pair shortly after 1:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23. Searchers safely guided the juveniles out of the wilderness, where they reunited with family around 4:30 a.m.

 

Less than eight hours later, on Friday, October 23, at approximately 12:40 p.m., SAR was activated for a second incident involving two adult hikers, ages 20 and 24. They reported being lost, surrounded by cliffs, and unable to locate the trail. After deputies established contact, SAR Coordinators organized a response. Around 2:30 p.m., roughly 20 MCSO SAR volunteers re-entered the same wilderness area searched earlier that morning. Teams reached the hikers around 9:00 p.m. and guided them out of the wilderness at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Saturday morning.

 

During debriefings, SAR Coordinators learned that both groups had attempted to navigate portions of the closed Rock of Ages trail. Each group reported losing the route and continuing off-trail in an effort to self-rescue. In one case, reliance on a popular hiking app led hikers into an immensely hazardous location, requiring nearly six hours of technical searching to reach safely.

 

MCSO reminds the public that the Rock of Ages trail is not maintained and conditions in the area are extremely hazardous and can quickly lead to disorientation or injury. Hikers are strongly encouraged to stay on open, maintained trails; research routes using official land management resources; and carry the appropriate equipment for changing conditions.