8-hour operation rescues injured hiker from steep terrain near Diamond Lake

A Black Hawk helicopter also suffered a rotor strike during first hoist attempt of injured hiker

An injured solo hiker was rescued from steep, technical terrain near Diamond Lake, in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, west of Nederland, Colorado early Sunday morning, Nov. 1.

After an operation of more than eight hours, which included a Colorado National Guard helicopter making a precautionary landing during the first rescue attempt, the man was rescued from the scene.

According to a Nov. 1 news release from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, responders were called around 4:18 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 31, for a 38-year-old man who had reportedly fallen while hiking alone in the Diamond Lake area. The man apparently suffered multiple injuries, including suspected fractures to his lower extremities.

The hiker was conscious and could talk with dispatchers, who helped pinpoint his location, the sheriff’s office said.

Notable highlights:

• The call came in around 4:18 p.m. Oct. 31; the hiker was hoisted off the mountain around 12:21 a.m. Nov. 1.
• The 38-year-old man was hiking alone and suffered suspected lower-leg fractures in a fall.
• A Colorado National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk suffered a rotor strike during the first hoist attempt and made a precautionary landing near the Fourth of July Trailhead; no crew injuries were reported.
• A Colorado National Guard UH-72 Lakota completed the rescue.
• The Fourth of July Trailhead area is closed while crews recover the Black Hawk.

Ground teams and helicopters

Given the remote location and very steep terrain, rescuers decided a helicopter extraction was the safest way to reach the hiker, according to the sheriff’s office. Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and the Nederland Fire Protection District sent ground teams in while aviation crews flew reconnaissance and helped plan the rescue.

During the first rescue attempt, a Colorado National Guard helicopter had what the sheriff’s office called an “incident” and made a precautionary landing near the Fourth of July Trailhead at Buckingham Park.

According to the Colorado National Guard, as reported by AVweb, the aircraft was a UH-60 Black Hawk that suffered a rotor strike around 10:15 p.m. while the crew was trying to hoist the injured hiker. The crew landed safely, and no injuries were reported. Officials have not said what the rotor blade struck.

Colorado Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Robert Davis told CBS Colorado he was “incredibly grateful that everyone returned home from this mission.”

Rescue completed after midnight

Rescuers then requested more aviation resources. Around 12:21 a.m. Sunday, a Colorado National Guard Lakota helicopter hoisted the hiker off the mountainside and flew him to a landing zone at Nederland High School.

An American Medical Response ambulance took him to a hospital in Boulder. His condition was not released.

Both helicopters came from the Colorado National Guard’s Army Aviation Support Facility at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora. Along with the sheriff’s office, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group and Nederland Fire, Colorado Search and Rescue and American Medical Response also responded.

Trailhead closure

The Black Hawk remains at its landing site pending an investigation, and the Fourth of July Trailhead and surrounding area are closed while crews work to recover it.

The sheriff’s office asked the public to avoid the area and respect all closures so personnel can work safely.

Hikers heading into the Indian Peaks this late in the season should expect early darkness, cold temperatures and limited cell service, and should leave a detailed trip plan with someone at home, especially when hiking alone.