The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) trail rescue team of deputies, known as the Green Hornets, rescued a pair of hikers who became lost in the dark on Larch Mountain Friday night. 

Around 7:40 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025, a man called 911 to report that his wife and a friend had not returned from a planned hike. An MCSO deputy responding to the incident was able to reach the hikers by phone just before 8:30 p.m. They said they were not lost and had started their hike back to the parking lot. They told the deputy they did not need help. The deputy gave them his phone number and asked them to call if they needed assistance navigating the trails or when they made it back to their vehicle.

About an hour and half later, the hikers called and said they were now lost and needed help. They decided to stay where they were and wait for rescuers. Their cell phone coordinates placed them about a mile from the green gate on Larch Mountain. The Green Hornets are familiar with this area, which is near Nesika Lodge.

Around 1:15 a.m., the Green Hornets found the hikers, who were cold, hungry, and thirsty, but otherwise okay. Rescuers gave them food, water, and extra clothing before leading them back down the trail. An hour and a half later, the team arrived at the green gate, where firefighters from the Corbett Fire District provided a medical evaluation. After the evaluation, they were returned to their vehicle at Multnomah Falls.

Public Safety Announcement!

With spring and summer approaching, MCSO encourages hikers in the Columbia River Gorge to be prepared. The Gorge is a wilderness area.

• Always tell someone your hiking plans and when you expect to return.
• Every hiker should carry the 10 Essentials for safety.
• If you ever get lost or injured, STOP, call 911, and STAY PUT, so rescuers can find you. 
• If you don’t have a cell signal for a call, try sending a text message. 
• Wear good footwear, carry an extra layer for warmth and carry a light better than your smartphone.

Who are the Green Hornets?

The MCSO Green Hornets are a specialized team of MCSO deputies trained for fast foot searches and wilderness first aid. Many of its members are experienced backcountry trail runners and navigation experts.