Rescuers shelter in storm with Yolo County hikers who fell over cliff

Two lucky hikers were found and rescued after falling 100 feet over a cliff in the Capay Valley in Yolo County.

On Friday night, first responders descended on Rumsey Canyon off Highway 16. The remote area, which is about 13 miles up the highway from Cache Creek Casino, was so hard to access that rescuers had to cross a creek in a boat. They then hiked for half a mile to reach the two hikers. One was critically injured.

Although rescue teams tried to get them out, Friday’s storm made it impossible, so medics from the Yocha Dehe Fire Department and search-and-rescue personnel from Yolo County hunkered down with them.

“At one point, a first responder fell injuring themselves during the rescue attempt,” CHP’s Golden Gate Air Operations Division wrote on Facebook. “Due to rain, darkness, and poor visibility, ground resources decided to wait until daylight to extract the injured climber.”

In the morning, with rainy conditions tapering off, Coast Guard and CHP helicopters were able to land nearby. The Coast Guard helicopter extracted the injured hiker, while the CHP helicopter airlifted the rescuer, who had minor injuries. In all, the ordeal lasted about 19 hours.

“The seamless collaboration and expertise led to the successful rescue of two victims who found themselves in a peculiar spot,” the Yocha Dehe Fire Department wrote on Facebook. “Incidents like these showcase the strength of our training and the power of collaboration! The YDFD is always one step ahead, acknowledging the risks and terrain in the Capay Valley.”