Mountain Biker Who Got Lost in Cleveland National Forest Found Dead

A 33-year-old man who got lost overnight in the Santa Ana Mountains after setting out on an 18-mile ride on his trail bike was found dead Sunday by searchers who fanned out from Skyline Trailhead in Corona to look for him.

Andres Marin started riding the trail that leads into the Cleveland National Forest at 7 a.m. Saturday. By 5:30 p.m, he had phoned relatives at home that he was lost and would try to make his way down the hill before it got dark, Riverside County sheriff's Lt. Zachary Hall said.

"A search was initiated; however, due to extremely poor weather, rough terrain and unsafe conditions, rescue teams were not able to make it to the Skyline Trail," Hall said of the rescue efforts.  "The weather also prohibited the use of helicopters."

Crews stationed a deputy at the Skyline Trailhead, while others patrolled other trailheads overnight, according to Hall.  At 6 a.m., a command post was established.

"At this time, climate conditions improved enough to allow rescuers to attempt to locate Marin," he said.

Within about four hours, search crews had found Marin on the trail not far from the Santiago Peak.  

"A search team with a paramedic was dispatched to their location; however, Marin was in fact deceased," Hall said.

An autopsy would reveal the cause of death, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department reported.

—City News Service contributed to this report.