A hiker was spotted late on Dec. 9 atop Camelback Mountain on a closed section of Echo Canyon Trail. Rescuers used a drone overnight to deliver water, blankets and a phone because the location was too dangerous to reach in the dark. At dawn on Dec. 10 a multiagency, high‑risk operation airlifted him to safety after about 13 hours; he was evaluated at a hospital and later admitted to a mental health facility. Phoenix Parks will issue a citation for entering the closed trail.
Airlift Rescue Ends 13‑Hour Ordeal for Hiker Stranded on Closed Camelback Trail
Education Images/Universal Images Group via GettyCamelback Mountain in Arizona.
A hiker who became stranded on a closed section of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix was rescued after a high‑risk, 13‑hour operation that began late on Dec. 9 and concluded the following morning.
A Difficult Overnight Rescue
Officials say a Phoenix Police Department helicopter first spotted the man just after 8 p.m. on Dec. 9, perched on a boulder near the summit along the Echo Canyon Trail — a route that had been closed for several weeks. The location was described by responders as an "extremely difficult portion of the trail," and darkness made a ground recovery unsafe.
Because teams could not reach him that night, the Phoenix Fire Department used a drone to deliver essential supplies: water, blankets and a phone. The drone allowed crews to perform periodic welfare checks and confirm the hiker’s condition while they waited for daylight to mount a safer extraction.
“He’s very lucky that [police] actually saw him when they were flying over,” Phoenix Fire Capt. DJ Lee said. “It could have been a lot longer of a night for him if they didn’t.”
At first light on Dec. 10, a coordinated multiagency response moved into position. Several first responders were airlifted to staging areas near the site, and shortly before 9 a.m. the hiker was hoisted from the rock by helicopter and brought to the ground.
Officials confirmed the man was medically evaluated and taken to a local hospital. Authorities later reported he was admitted to a mental health facility and is expected to be okay. Phoenix’s Parks and Recreation Department said it will issue a citation for entering the closed trail.
Safety Reminder
Camelback Mountain’s summit and its routes can be hazardous, particularly after trail closures or in low light. Rescuers urged hikers to obey closures and plan trips with safety and local advisories in mind.
