Firefighters Reach Injured Hiker With Rescue ATV In RivCo Desert

PALM DESERT, CA —Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department was called to the scene of an injured hiker in an inaccessible area near Palm Desert on Wednesday morning.

Shortly before 11 a.m., firefighters traversed the quarter mile to reach an injured woman on the Art Smith Hiking Trail via ATV, Capt. John Clingingsmith told Patch.

"Firefighters were able to gather the injured woman and bring her to a waiting ambulance," he said. "She was taken to a nearby hospital for further treatment."

The Art Smith Trail is a signature trail in the San Jacinto Mountains. Named for the longtime trail boss of the Desert Riders equestrian club, the Art Smith Trail starts at Highway 74 near the Visitor Center. Hikers gain more than 1,400 feet in 8.3 miles, then come to the trail’s intersection with Dunn Road, but don’t expect to be picked up here as the road is closed to vehicle traffic. To travel another 8 miles to Palm Springs, pick up the Hahn Buena Vista Trail followed by the Wild Horse and Garstin Trails. Or you can descend to Cathedral City by way of Dunn Road and Cathedral Canyon Trail.

No other information was immediately available.