Hikers Rescued from Flash Flood in Yavapai County

Camp Verde, Arizona — Two 19-year-old hikers were saved after being trapped by flash floods in Yavapai County on Friday night.

These hikers set out on an overnight trip near West Clear Creek, just outside Camp Verde, and were last heard from around 2 p.m. on Friday. Their last message indicated that they were caught in a flash flood, prompting them to climb a ravine to seek safety. It seems they aimed to reach a trail but had limited water, which complicated things before communication ceased.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office initiated a search and rescue operation Friday night after the hikers did not return.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety had intended to deploy a helicopter for the search, but poor weather prevented that. Consequently, ground searches were planned to begin the following morning in light of the flooding.

As conditions improved Saturday morning, rescue teams then hiked for several hours over rough terrain before finally managing to contact the women by phone.

At around 9 a.m., deputies communicated with the hikers via text. While they reported being cold and wet, they were otherwise okay. YCSO deputies tracked the women’s location through their cell phones.

A DPS Ranger helicopter took off around 10 a.m. and successfully located the hikers, aided by YCSO. They were safely escorted back to their vehicle.

The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office expressed heartfelt thanks to the volunteer search and rescue team and the DPS crew for their rapid and effective assistance in the operation.

With more rain on the horizon, YCSO reminds hikers to stay vigilant about the risks of flash flooding in the areas they explore.