San Luis Obispo County, CA – A coordinated search involving the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team ended with a lost hiker being safely located Friday evening in Montana de Oro State Park.
According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, the Search and Rescue (SAR) Team responded on Friday, July 17, 2026, after California State Parks requested assistance in locating a hiker who had become lost in the Valencia Peak area of Montana de Oro State Park.
Authorities said the hiker, who was visiting family from outside the United States, had gone on a solo hike earlier that afternoon. He later contacted a family member to report that he was lost and that his cellphone battery was nearly depleted.
Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers, sheriff’s deputies, and the Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Team launched a coordinated air and ground search of the area’s trail system. Officials said the hiker was located approximately one hour after search operations began.
According to the sheriff’s office, the hiker was cold and disoriented but was otherwise uninjured. He was safely escorted back to the trailhead, where he was reunited with his family. Officials said he declined medical attention.
The Sheriff’s Office used the incident to remind outdoor enthusiasts to take basic safety precautions before heading onto the trails, including letting someone know their planned route and expected return time, carrying a fully charged cellphone and portable battery pack, bringing adequate water and appropriate clothing, and avoiding solo hikes whenever possible.
