Two hikers who plunged into Switzer Falls creek on Saturday night were escorted to safety after a satellite SOS message guided rescuers through the darkness of the Angeles National Forest.
At a Glance
- Two hikers fell into Switzer Falls creek near Tujunga at nightfall Saturday
- A satellite SOS beacon let them summon help after cell service failed
- A small fire and dry socks kept hypothermia at bay until rescuers arrived
- Why it matters: Authorities say proper gear and planning turned a potentially deadly situation into a textbook rescue
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department received the distress call at 7 p.m. Saturday. Deputies learned the hikers were soaked, stranded and facing dropping temperatures after slipping into the creek along the popular Switzer Falls trail.
Because the pair carried a satellite SOS device, they could still alert authorities once cell coverage disappeared in the rugged terrain. Rescue crews credit the beacon with shaving critical minutes off the response time.
“These steps significantly reduced the risk of hypothermia, which is a real and dangerous concern in cold, wet conditions-especially at night,” the department said.
While waiting, the hikers climbed away from the water, started a small campfire and changed into the dry socks they had packed. Those actions, officials told News Of Los Angeles, kept their body temperatures stable through the two-hour operation.
| Preparedness Step | Result |
|---|---|
| Satellite SOS beacon | Exact coordinates sent to rescuers |
| Fire-starting materials | Core temperature maintained |
| Extra socks and clothing | Wet gear swapped out quickly |
A sheriff’s rescue team reached the hikers, extinguished the fire and walked them back to the Switzer parking lot shortly after 9 p.m. Neither hiker required hospital treatment.
Ethan R. Coleman reported that officials used the outcome to urge all trail users to carry emergency tools, even on short day hikes.
“Our message is simple: be prepared. The right gear and planning give you the best chance to take care of yourself while help is on the way,” the department emphasized.
Switzer Falls, a 3.8-mile out-and-back route north of Tujunga, is heavily traveled but has sections where cell service is spotty. Temperatures in the area dipped into the mid-40s Saturday night, the National Weather Service recorded.
Sheriff’s officials said they respond to dozens of calls each year from hikers who lose the trail, become dehydrated or fall on slick rocks. Most incidents, they added, involve people who leave proper equipment at home.
Key Takeaways
- Carry a satellite communicator or personal locator beacon in areas with unreliable cell coverage
- Pack fire-starting supplies and dry clothing layers even for short hikes
- Notify friends or family of your planned route and expected return time
- Expect night temperatures to drop sharply in forested canyons
The rescue wrapped up without injury, but authorities caution that the same scenario can quickly turn fatal without basic preparation.
