08/04/2026
Busy End to July Keeps Mono SAR Responding — Ops 31-35, July 25th-31st, 2026
Op #31, 26-373: On Saturday, July 25th, at 1252 hours, the Team was paged by the Mono County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for a report of a 74-year-old male who had suffered a seizure near Arrowhead Lake. Rescue Base was established at the end of Coldwater Creek at the Duck Pass Trailhead. Personnel from Medic 3 and Mammoth Fire were also dispatched and were already on scene upon Rescue 4’s arrival. Medic 3 notified Rescue 4 that the subject was moving downhill under their own power. All arriving Team members were advised to cancel shortly thereafter. The operation was terminated at 1430 hours.
Op #32, 26-378: On Monday, July 27th, at 1948 hours, the Team was paged by MCSO for a mutual aid request from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office for a report of a lost hiker on the Garnet Lake Cutoff Trail. It was reported that the subject had limited food and water, no overnight equipment, and no means of navigating in the dark. Rescue Base was established at Minaret Vista. Rescue Operations deployed two teams: one hasty team and a second team to shuttle equipment, both making their way to the subject to guide them out. At 2240 hours, the subject was contacted, assessed, given food and water, and subsequently guided back to the Agnew Meadows Campground Trailhead, where they were transported to a Motel 6 for the night. The operation was terminated at 0151 hours on Tuesday, July 28th.
Op #33, 26-381: On Tuesday, July 28th, at 1827 hours, the Team was paged by MCSO for a mutual aid request from the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office for assistance with a litter evacuation of an ill subject from Lower Lamarck Lake. Rescue Base was established at the end of the North Lake Campground. An MCSO Incident Commander relayed the mutual aid request for a team of four—one Operations Leader and three rescuers—to serve as the Mono County contingent. Team rescuers met up with Inyo SAR personnel in the field and completed the assigned mission to help extricate the subject. The operation was terminated at 2104 hours.
Op #34, 26-385: On Friday, July 31st, at 1400 hours, the Team was paged by MCSO for a mutual aid request from the Madera County Sheriff’s Office for a report of a 68-year-old female experiencing heat exhaustion at Rainbow Falls. Rescue Base was established at Red’s Meadow. Personnel from Medic 3 and Mammoth Fire were also dispatched and were already on scene upon the arrival of Rescue 4 and Rescue 2. The Team’s response was canceled shortly thereafter. The operation was terminated at 1600 hours.
Op #35, 26-387: On Friday, July 31st, at 1751 hours, the Team was paged by MCSO for a report of two teens who had become separated from their companion, a 53-year-old male. The teens arrived at Thousand Island Lake at 1000 hours and had not heard from their companion as darkness approached. Rescue Base was established at Minaret Vista. Rescue Operations deployed a hasty team of three to conduct a rapid search assignment along the River Trail. Shortly after deployment from the Agnew Meadows Campground Trailhead, the 53-year-old male was reunited with his party at Thousand Island Lake. The search was concluded, and the operation was terminated at 2030 hours.
Our 501(c)(3) organization is made up entirely of unpaid community members who volunteer their time—and often their own equipment. We rely on donations to fund team gear, advanced rescue and medical training, and facilities maintenance. To learn more about our all-volunteer team or to support our efforts, please visit www.monosar.org/donate.
Mono County Sheriff's Office
CC:
Madera County Sheriff's Office
Inyo County Sheriff's Office // Inyo County Search & Rescue
Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District
