Father, Daughter Rescued In Mohonk Preserve At Night

GARDINER, NY — A father and daughter were hiking in the Mohonk Preserve Saturday when it got dark and they were not prepared.

Around 11:40 p.m. Saturday, forest rangers were asked to assist in a search for the 47-year-old man and his 9-year-old daughter who had started hiking at 3 p.m.

They were unprepared to hike back in the dark, and they attempted to travel off trail to get to a road, but they were blocked by a rapidly moving creek.

As the temperature dropped in the dark, it started to rain. The pair did not have adequate clothing or headlamps. They were also not familiar with the preserve and its rugged terrain.

In addition, they did not have cell service so they couldn’t call for help.

Authorities said a family member called 911, but didn’t know where to direct first responders.

A forest ranger, the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and five Mohonk rangers searched trails and carriage roads until 3:30 a.m. Sunday.

At 4:15 a.m. Sunday, the man had enough service to be able to call his wife.

The father and daughter’s general vicinity was determined and rangers talked them through bushwhacking back to the closest trail.

At 5:45 a.m., rangers found the pair on Old Minnewaska Trail. They were wet and shivering.

Rangers gave them jackets, hats, headlamps, water and snacks before walking them out of the woods.

The Department of Environmental Conservation said that hikers should always have flashlights or headlamps, even if they don’t plan on hiking at night. They should always let a family member or friend know where they are hiking and when they plan to return.