Lost Hiker Found Safe After Hot Day In The Forest

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.: A hiker who got lost in the Cleveland National Forest Wednesday was found safe around 9 p.m., but it was a long, hot day in the mountains.

Mike Anstead, 45, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., began his solo hike across the street from the on SR 74 at the San Juan Loop Trail, just west of Lake Elsinore, around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Anstead, who said he has nearly 12 years of hiking experience, was using a trail map he downloaded off the Internet to guide him through the forest.

Water, Gatorade, an apple, a few bananas, and a sandwich were the provisions he packed for his trek.

After hiking nearly 12 miles in temperatures that flirted near the 100-degree mark, Anstead said he realized he was lost. At 4:30 p.m. he used his cell phone to call 911 for help, but reception was bad so he turned the device off to save battery power, he said.

Anstead was unaware that the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the California Department of Forestry and the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit had been called out for his search and rescue.

Nearly 12 hours after his hike began, Anstead was located by rescuers, only a quarter mile from where his rental car was parked at the trail head.

Anstead said after his rescue that lack of signage prolonged his journey.

"Clearly marking the trail with simple wooden signs with the trail name and arrows pointing to the closest exit" would have helped, he said.

Regardless of signage, Anstead said he was very appreciative of the rescue efforts, which included assistance from a tracking dog named Inga, a 4-year-old Bloodhound owned by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Anstead, who was uninjured, declined medical treatment after his rescue. He is vacationing in Southern California through July 11 and is staying in Chula Vista. --Daniel Lane contributed to this report.

UPDATE 7/6 at 9:15 p.m.: A hiker who went missing in the Cleveland National Forest near the has been found safe.

"He walked out safely," said Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy Angel Ramos, noting that the male hiker was not injured and did not require medical attention.

The deputy said he had received the update from a sergeant on scene shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The hiker was reported missing around 4:30 p.m. just west of Lake Elsinore.

The hiker called 911 to report he was lost, Deputy Ramos said, "but cell phone reception up there is very bad."

ORIGINAL POST: A search is on for a male hiker who went missing in the Cleveland National Forest near the located at 34950 Ortega Highway.

The hiker was reported missing around 4:30 p.m. just west of Lake Elsinore.

The hiker called 911 to report he was lost, said Deputy Angel Ramos of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, "but cell phone reception up there is very bad."

According to Deputy Ramos, the search and rescue operation is being handled by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

A command post has been set up and Deputy Ramos said the search will continue through the night if needed.

Check back for updates.