Location: Jordan Hot Springs, Sequoia National Forest
Incident Date: 11-26-2016
Incident Time: 1902 hours
Case Number: 16-14845
Victim: Justin Mokayd
City: Los Angeles
Posted by: Dispatch
On Sunday, 11/27/2016 at approximately 1900 hours, the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a group of overdue backpackers in the remote Black Rock area of the Sequoia National Forest. Justin Mokayd, 20 and two friends from the Los Angeles area arrived at the trailhead Saturday morning. Their plan was to hike approximately six miles to Jordan Hot Springs, spend the night and return to their car Sunday afternoon. Mokayd’s mother alerted authorities when she had not heard from her son as planned on Sunday evening.
The inexperienced group never checked the weather while planning their trip and had no knowledge of the severe winter storm that arrived Saturday afternoon. The group retreated back to their vehicle which had already been snowed in at the 9,000 foot elevation trailhead.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue Team initiated search operations Sunday evening. TCSO Resident Deputies were unable to access the area due to heavy snow and downed trees that were blocking the road. Search operations continued Monday morning with the assistance of CHP helicopter H80 from the Inland Air Division. The helicopter located the party but was forced to terminate operations due to sustained winds.
At approximately 1400 hours, TCSO Resident Deputies were finally able to access the area by clearing downed trees with chainsaws. Mokayd and his friends were cold but uninjured. They were brought down the mountain to safety by deputies.
The Sheriff’s Department would like to remind anyone traveling in the mountains of the following winter safety tips:
Always check the weather before heading out.
Make sure your vehicle is equipped and able to handle winter driving conditions.
Most mountain roads above 4,000 feet will require vehicles to have snow chains. Check before you leave.
Have a plan and stick to it.
Always tell someone your route, destination and when you expect to be home.
Never, under any circumstances drive around or ignore a ROAD CLOSED sign.
For additional winter travel information and tips go to the California Department of Transportation website or the following link: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/wntrdriv.htm