Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit responded on Sunday, Nov. 25, to reports of a hiker lost near the Cactus to Clouds trail near the mountaintop station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Relatives alerted authorities around 10:40 p.m. when the hiker, identified as Louis E. Perez of Corona, failed to return on schedule.
RMRU responded to the Black Mountain trail head the next morning using GPS coordinates provided by Perez’s cell phone. RCSD’s aviation unit also responded and was able to spot Perez near the Black Mountain campgrounds around 9:40 a.m.
Sheriff’s deputies intercepted Perez and escorted him back to his vehicle at the Cactus to Clouds trailhead. Perez was not injured and required no medical treatment, even after having spent a cold night on the mountain.
RSCD reminds hikers to carry proper equipment including water, maps, compasses and GPS units and to dress warmly for winter hiking.
