A DPS Ranger helicopter like this one found and rescued a missing hiking family.

by John Johnson

jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com

Mount Graham – A family of hikers who got lost on their way down Ash Creek to their destination on July 16 were found and rescued by Arizona Department of Public Safety rangers.

The couple and their daughter were dropped off at the Old Columbine Ranch area around 7 a.m. on July 15, according to a Graham County Sheriff’s Office report. The family was going to hike from Old Columbine down Ash Creek to Berry Patch Road.

However, the family got lost during the trip and decided to camp for the night. The hikers reportedly packed food and water for the hike, but the family was last contacted by them around 7 p.m. on July 15.

At about 10:26 a.m. the next morning, authorities were notified that the family was missing, and Graham County Search and Rescue split into two teams to search for the hikers. One team departed from Old Columbine, the other from the other side of the containment boundary at Ash Creek and Berry Patch Road. Due to the large and rugged area, he called in DPS rangers to assist in the search.

Rangers found three missing hikers during an aerial reconnaissance of the area. They were extracted and flown back to the SAR Command Post, which was set up at the entrance to the Clough Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. The hikers were in good health and were reunited with his family at the command post.