Lake Elsinore Deputies Rescue Hikers

Hikers were rescued in the Cleveland National Forest, just west of Lake Elsinore, early Wednesday morning.

The hikers, identified as Michael Geneau, 23, of Irvine and Mitchell Rossi, 23, were located at approximately 1:35 a.m. after using a cell phone to call for help.

At  9:52 p.m. Tuesday, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department received a call from Geneau. He reported he was injured while hiking in the forest and was trying to walk out with Rossi.

“Cellular phone reception was lost after the initial contact,” according to a report from the Lake Elsinore Sheriff’s Station.

Deputies from the station drove out to the Tenaja Falls trail head, and members of the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit and the Sheriff's Emergency Response Team were contacted and began coordinating rescue efforts.

“Deputies searched the area and were able to locate the hikers at approximately 1:35 a.m.,” the police report stated. “The hikers were escorted safely out of the area to awaiting medical personnel. Geneau was medically evaluated by Cal Fire personnel at the scene.”

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is reminding hikers to ensure they are physically prepared for any planned hike.

“Proper preparedness … includes a well-thought-out travel plan shared with friends and family, as well as familiarity with common hiking equipment, such as GPS, maps and compasses, proper clothing and plenty of water,” the report stated.

The Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit offers several hiking tips at its website at www.rmru.org.