Hiker Stranded Overnight Near The Lookout; SR 74 Shut Down

An injured hiker who got stranded overnight in steep terrain west of Lake Elsinore walked out safely early this morning, according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann.

Fire officials responded to today’s 4:45 a.m. call in the area near located on Ortega Highway (SR 74), Hagemann said.

When they arrived, firefighters performed an over-the-side rescue approximately 400 feet down on a mountain bike trail, she said.

Eastbound and westbound lanes on the Ortega Highway were closed temporarily by Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and California Highway Patrol officers during the rescue operation, according to Hagemann.

The hiker, who has not been identified, walked out safely shortly after 6 a.m. and did not require transport, Hagemann said.

Eastbound and westbound lanes on the Ortega have been reopened.