> At a Glance
> – A woman hiking the Codfish Falls Trail disappeared on Jan. 2 after being spotted with her dog at 2:30 p.m.
> – Deputies later found her phone and a dog bowl beside the North Fork of the American River, while her dog was located unharmed.
> – Despite boats, dive teams, drones, and the FIRIS aircraft, searchers have not located the missing hiker amid stormy mountain weather.
> – Why it matters: The multi-agency effort highlights how quickly hikers can vanish in rugged terrain and why officials urge the public to leave rescues to trained crews.
A multi-agency search is underway in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills after a woman failed to return from a hike on the Codfish Falls Trail, leaving behind only her phone, a dog bowl, and-safely-a beloved pet.
Timeline of Disappearance
Deputies were alerted just before 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2 that the woman had not come back from her walk. She was last seen at 2:30 p.m. trekking with her dog; by 2:45 p.m. the dog was spotted alone.
- Jan. 2, 2:30 p.m.: Hiker seen on trail with dog
- Jan. 2, 2:45 p.m.: Dog observed by itself
- Jan. 2, ~6 p.m.: Report made to Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Searchers quickly located her vehicle parked nearby, then recovered her phone and a dog bowl along the riverbank.
Intensified Search Operations
By Sunday, Jan. 4, officials vowed to push forward despite challenging weather. The operation has deployed:
- Boats and dive teams on the North Fork of the American River
- Aerial crews scanning upstream and downstream
- Tactical rescue teams from county and state levels
- Drones and other air assets when skies clear
Authorities stated:
> “Crews remain focused on thorough and methodical search efforts in and around the river corridor.”
The state’s FIRIS aircraft-outfitted with advanced sensors for real-time intelligence-was grounded Saturday night by poor conditions but will launch once it is safe.
Public Safety Plea
Officials say no evidence points to foul play, yet every possibility remains under review. They also asked well-meaning locals to stay away.
> “For everyone’s safety, it is best for this search to be conducted by trained professionals using specialized equipment and the latest technology.”
The sheriff’s office explained that professional teams ensure:
- Clear communication
- Consistent location tracking
- Coordinated movements in an area with no cell phone reception
Key Takeaways
- Search for missing hiker on Codfish Falls Trail continues into its third day
- Dog found safe; phone and dog bowl recovered beside the river
- Multi-agency crews-water, air, and ground-battling rough weather to find her
- Public urged to avoid the area and let trained rescuers work
Rescuers maintain hope of locating the woman as they comb the American River corridor and surrounding terrain.
