A father and his 18-month-old son were rescued by helicopter after being trapped in deep Sierra snow at an altitude above 10,000 feet, according to authorities.
The rescue operation took place on Thursday near Freel Peak, a summit reaching 10,881 feet located south of Lake Tahoe. This area remains covered with lingering snow despite warmer temperatures in lower regions.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the man was mountain biking with his toddler on Thursday afternoon when snow completely obstructed the trail.
In an effort to reach dirt terrain, the father attempted to push through the snow but soon became exhausted due to the harsh conditions.
Officials noted that he was not prepared to stay in the mountains after dark.
As temperatures fell, the situation worsened when the child began showing signs of “extreme discomfort,” prompting the father to believe medical attention was necessary for the toddler.
An emergency response team from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and their helicopter, Echo 1, were dispatched to the remote area.
Authorities stated that the helicopter team quickly located the stranded father and son and coordinated a rescue plan with ground volunteers.
Two rescuers were flown to a landing zone high on the shoulder of Freel Peak, above 10,000 feet, then hiked down through the rugged terrain to reach them.
Echo 1 later airlifted both survivors to South Lake Tahoe Airport, where South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue personnel provided them with treatment.
This dramatic rescue comes as officials continue to warn outdoor enthusiasts that winter conditions are still prevalent across parts of the Sierra Nevada.
Earlier this week, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association warned that elevations above 9,000 feet, particularly north and east-facing slopes, remain covered with snow, slush, mud, runoff, and flooded trail sections.
And forecasters say more snow is on the way.
A late-season storm moving across Northern California is expected to bring fresh snowfall to the Sierra this week, according to the National Weather Service.
Meteorologists predict up to 4 inches of snow at higher elevations, while parts of the Lake Tahoe area could experience 1 to 2 inches of slushy accumulation.
Snow chances are expected to peak Tuesday and Wednesday nights as temperatures drop below freezing. Forecasters caution that snow showers, thunderstorms, lightning, and small hail could occur throughout the week.
Caltrans temporarily closed several mountain passes ahead of the storm, including Highway 4 at Ebbetts Pass, Highway 89 at Monitor Pass, and Highway 108 at Sonora Pass.
“This temperature ‘whiplash’ (and the mountain snow chances) tends to catch people with plans to recreate outdoors off-guard,” the weather service warned in a social media post.
