The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) rescued a lost, visually impaired hiker near Wahkeena Falls on Wednesday, November 27.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., MCSO responded to a 911 call from a man saying he was lost on a hiking trail near Wahkeena Falls. The man, who reported being visually impaired, said that he was using his cell phone’s flashlight to find his way, but was unable to see the trail markers. He also mentioned that he was hiking with alone. His wife, who he’d been hiking with, returned to the car.

One deputy located the man’s wife at the Multnomah Falls welcome center, while the second deputy contacted the man through text message. They advised him to stop moving and stay put until help arrived. Deputies were able to get his location using cell phone data.

At 6:55 p.m., a small team of deputies known as the Green Hornets deployed to locate the man. The MCSO Green Hornets consists of a team of highly trained deputies with extensive wilderness and search and rescue experience. The Green Hornets team reached the lost hiker at 7:45 p.m. He was not hurt, and they safely guided him back to the trailhead, where he was reunited with his wife. 

The Green Hornets team is a special team within the MCSO Search and Rescue operations. They are called upon to assist with quick, foot searches for missing or lost hikers, and they work alongside the larger Search and Rescue team when needed. Many of the deputies are backcountry trail runners and considered navigational experts.

MCSO is grateful for the quick thinking and teamwork of our deputies that led to the successful rescue of this hiker. 

If you are ever lost or in distress while hiking, remember to stay where you are and call 911 for help. Read more about our Search and Rescue program and the Ten Essentials, on our website.