Late Saturday afternoon, Lake County Dispatch received word that two snowmobilers—a 53-year-old and a 45-year-old—had failed to return to their vehicle after heading into the Chalk Creek area for a day of riding. With fresh snowfall blanketing the high country, the risk of avalanches and disorientation is high, and rescuers wasted no time mobilizing.
First Search Called Off Overnight
At around 6 p.m. on February 17, LCSAR (Lake County Search & Rescue) volunteers set out along the often-packed roadside near Highway 91, just south of the Climax Mine turnout. However, howling winds and unstable snow conditions forced them to suspend operations around midnight for everyone’s safety.
Multi-Agency Effort Yields Breakthrough
By dawn Sunday, teams were back on scene, bolstered by support from the High Altitude Army National Guard Training Site, Vail Mountain Rescue Group, Summit County SAR, and the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Their combined resources—including aerial reconnaissance—paid off when a helicopter spotted the missing riders at approximately 9:30 a.m. Although the weather prevented a direct air rescue, pilots relayed precise GPS coordinates to ground teams.
Safe Return After Harsh Night
LCSAR members reached the pair just before 11 a.m. and escorted them back down to the Chalk Creek parking lot, wrapping up the mission by 1:20 p.m. Both men were cold but unhurt and were reunited with family members soon after.
Avalanche Danger Remains High
This successful rescue underscores the volatile nature of backcountry travel following heavy snows. The Colorado Avalanche Information Center warns that slopes north- to east-facing and above treeline remain especially prone to large, human-triggered slides. With cornices and wind-drifted snow adding extra hazards, riders and skiers are urged to steer clear of terrain steeper than 35° in those aspects. As another winter storm approaches, the CAIC anticipates elevated avalanche danger across Lake County into Tuesday.
Join the Team
Interested in helping with future missions? Lake County Search & Rescue is always recruiting new volunteers. Visit their Facebook page to learn how you can get involved—and stay prepared before heading into the high country.
