Hiker Search – Julian 

June 18, 2023 - San Diego County Sheriff’s Department officials report that a search for a missing hiker is underway at Three Sisters Falls in Julian.

Deputies with the Julian Sheriff's Substation received a call for help on Friday, June 16 just before 5:00 p.m. Two people were swimming at the middle level of the falls. One went underwater and did not resurface.

Deputies along with CAL FIRE San Diego and volunteers with Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR) looked for the 27-year-old man. The Sheriff’s ASTREA helicopter also helped with the search. They conducted a search operation around the waterfalls until sunset. The darkness and amount of water flowing into the waterfalls made it too dangerous to continue with the search.

The Helix Water District shut off a dam that feeds water to Three Sisters Falls to decrease the water flow just before 8:00 p.m. The U.S. Forest Service has closed the Three Sisters Falls trail until further notice.

The search for the missing man, resumed around 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 17. Resources include deputies with the Alpine Sheriff's Station, Julian Sheriff's Substation, Sheriff's ASTREA helicopter, CAL FIRE San Diego, U.S. Forest Service, as well as volunteers with Sheriff's Search and Rescue (SAR). The Sheriff's Volunteer Dive Unit has been called and is preparing to help with the search.

A Sheriff's family liaison lieutenant, a Sheriff's Chaplain, and representatives with Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego (TIPS) are also available for the family of the missing man.

Source: San Diego County Sheriff’s Department