Lake County Search and Rescue

05/27/2026

A big thank you to The Next Summit: A Mountain Blog for taking the time to cover our recent search and rescue mission and help share the story of everyone involved. We appreciate the thoughtful guidance for hiking in early spring mountain conditions.

While trails may look dry at lower elevations, many routes still contain hazardous icy sections that can quickly become dangerous without proper preparation. Carrying and knowing how to use micro-spikes or other traction equipment can make a major difference in safety during this time of year.

We encourage everyone heading into the mountains to check conditions, bring the right gear, and make conservative decisions outdoors.

A hiker fell about 200 feet down an ice field just below the summit of Mt. Elbert this week and managed to walk away. That's the good news, and we don't take it for granted.

Lake County Search and Rescue reached them fast with a helicopter assist from Classic Air Medical, and the hiker made it back to the trailhead on their own two feet. But it's a reminder worth carrying into the long weekend: this was one of the driest winters Colorado has ever recorded, and that low snowpack has opened the high country weeks early. The catch is that the ice near the summits hasn't gone anywhere.

Early access isn't safe access. A road melting out early doesn't mean the mountain has. If you're heading up a peak this week, the snow that's left is sitting exactly where it matters most — the steep, high terrain near the top, often firm enough for crampons first thing in the morning.

I pulled together the full story and what it means for early-season hikers: traction, timing, and the calls that keep you off the rescue list.

Link in the comments.

Big thanks to the LCSAR volunteers — and for sharing these photos from the scene. 🧡

05/21/2026

Yesterday afternoon, LCSAR was paged to assist a hiker who had fallen around 200 feet down an ice field below the summit of Mt Elbert. Thankfully, this person was not seriously injured and was able to be assisted with a team that was inserted nearby by our partners . After a risk assessment of the surrounding terrain, the patient was evacuated from the ice field and was able to egress safely to the trailhead with the team on foot.
🥾Some key lessons for hikers in the area: although snow pack is very low, it is very icy and hazardous in sections up high on our mountains. Micro-spikes and floatation continue to be helpful gear to bring into the backcountry.
🚁 without the assistance of our partners at Classic, our members would have faced a very time consuming hike to access this patient. Always be prepared to wait several hours, possibly overnight, when calling for help in the backcountry.

05/18/2026

May is supposed to be part of our slower "mud season,” but we're not taking it slow.😅

So far this month we’ve:
🚁 Trained with our helicopter partners at Classic Air Medical
🌊 Been getting after it with water rescue training
🛞 Put members through ATV basic training
🚒 Practiced truck & trailer operations
🧭 Worked on land navigation skills
👋 Continued to onboard our new prospective member class
🏥 Trained with Recco, reviewed medical protocols and held a Tabletop Scenario for our Command Members
⭐️And responded to FIVE missions already, including a lovely night hike under the stars with some of our best buds!

Shoulder season? More like sprint season. We see you summer and we'll be ready!

05/11/2026

☀️It’s Post-Hole Season!
🎿While you may be able to scamper up a 14er in trail runners in the morning, that once-hard snow may be soft, slippery, and sloppy by midday. Likewise, that slushy afternoon trail could be a sheet of ice by nightfall.
🔦Each year, LCSAR responds to numerous calls for help from hikers underprepared for changing spring conditions. Post-holing is at best an inconvenience; at worst, it can cause dangerous injury, exhaustion, and delay. Be prepared for the conditions you set out in, and also what they may become in the future.
(P.S. Leadville Outdoors, Alpine Ski & Sport, and Bill’s Ski Rentals all have high-quality, low-cost snowshoe rentals!)

04/26/2026

Our condolences ands hearts go out to Kaden's family and community.

04/25/2026

➡️When you're a mom who also volunteers on the local search and rescue team, and you don't want to be late to your son's birthday party right after a training with Flight for Life.
🚁Our rescuers wear a lot of hats when they're not deploying on a mission, and that sometimes means juggling a lot of commitments at the same time. We train hard to be ready whenever you call, (just hopefully not today for our PIO Hannah, who needs to frost some cupcakes before this afternoon).

04/18/2026

04/16/2026

Happy National Volunteers Month!

April is National Volunteer Month, a time to recognize those who use their free time to serve a greater good. There are about 2300 backcountry search and rescue volunteers in Colorado, about 60 of whom also volunteer for their membership association, CSAR. Our mission is to find, rescue and recover those in need in the Colorado backcountry. If you live in or frequently visit Colorado, please take a moment to say thank you to your local team. https://coloradosar.org/sar-county-map/

04/11/2026

Golden Rules for Cold Water Safety 🚨

With open water on our lakes again, here are some reminders to keep you and your loved ones safe on the water.

1. Always wear a PFD

2. Dress for the water temp

3. Field & Swim test your gear

4. Plan for the worst

Stay safe out there!

01/09/2026