A hiker was airlifted by helicopter after falling approximately 50 feet down an embankment on the Colorado Trail near Chalk Creek on Tuesday, March 31, according to a Facebook post by Chaffee County Search and Rescue — North (CCSARN).
The team was called at 12:15 p.m. after a report of a fallen hiker. The individual had tumbled off the trail and down a steep embankment, sustaining multiple injuries. Their condition worsened while SAR teams and emergency medical personnel were en route.
Rescuers from CCSARN and Chaffee County EMS reached the hiker at approximately 1:00 p.m. — roughly 45 minutes after the initial call. Given the severity of the injuries, an air medical evacuation was requested through REACH Air Medical Services, which operates a helicopter base affiliated with Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center in nearby Salida.
The hiker was carried out from the trail to a waiting ambulance, then transported to a helicopter landing zone for the REACH flight. No further details about the hiker’s identity or current condition have been released.
A Familiar Team in a High-Demand County
CCSARN is a roughly 50-member, all-volunteer search and rescue team operating under the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office. The team specializes in land search, high-angle rescue, swiftwater rescue, and winter operations including avalanche response.
This is the second notable rescue by CCSARN this spring. On March 7, the team responded to an overnight rescue on 14,075-foot Mount Columbia after blown snow crystals impaired a solo hiker’s vision during descent, forcing them to bivouac near the summit. CCSARN was also recently recognized as a 2025 grant recipient from Rocky Talkie’s SAR Award program, which this year is distributing $150,000 to volunteer teams across the U.S. and Canada.
Chaffee County — home to 12 fourteeners and traversed by the Colorado Trail — is one of the most SAR-intensive counties in the state. The county is split between two SAR teams (North and South), and missions have been trending upward statewide. A recent analysis found that Colorado’s backcountry SAR teams are facing record workloads, driven by increasing visitor numbers and the popularity of high-altitude recreation.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
The Chalk Creek Section of the Colorado Trail
The rescue occurred on or near Segment 14 of the Colorado Trail, which runs from Highway 50 near Salida to the Chalk Creek Trailhead. The trail in this area passes through the Collegiate Peaks region of the Sawatch Range, flanked by Mount Princeton to the north and Mount Antero to the south.
The Chalk Creek corridor is a popular recreation area known for its hot springs, dispersed camping, and proximity to several fourteener trailheads. While the Colorado Trail in this segment is generally considered moderate terrain, steep embankments and loose footing — particularly in early spring when snow, ice, and mud may still be present on trail surfaces — can present real hazards even on well-established paths.
How to Be Prepared
CCSARN’s post concluded with a reminder that the team is 100% volunteer-run and urged backcountry visitors to call 911 or activate an emergency GPS device if they ever need assistance.
Falls are one of the most common causes of backcountry injuries in Colorado, and they don’t only happen on technical peaks. A misstep on a wet root, a loose rock near a steep drop, or a moment of inattention on a narrow section of trail is all it takes. A few steps that reduce the risk:
- Watch your footing, especially on sections with exposure, loose gravel, or wet surfaces. Use trekking poles for stability.
- Carry the Ten Essentials — including a first aid kit, emergency shelter, and a headlamp — on every backcountry outing, regardless of planned distance or difficulty.
- Carry a communication device. A charged cell phone is a start, but cell service in mountain drainages like Chalk Creek is unreliable. A satellite communicator (such as a Garmin inReach or ZOLEO) with an SOS function can reach rescuers from anywhere.
- Hike with others when possible. A companion can render aid, call for help, and guide rescuers to your location.
- Purchase a CORSAR card. The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Search and Rescue (CORSAR) card costs $5/year and helps reimburse SAR teams for mission expenses. It’s not insurance, but it directly supports the volunteer teams that respond when things go wrong.
To support Chaffee County Search and Rescue — North, visit ccsarn.org.
RECENT MOUNTAIN NEWS
