July 9, 2025 – El Dorado County Sheriff's Office officials report that on Monday, June 30, 2025, EDSO Search and Rescue was dispatched to assist two backcountry hikers that became stranded on the island at Eagle Lake off of the Eagle Falls Trail. A man and his 16-year-old son had swum across to the island and began to experience general body weakness due to the cold-water temperatures alpine lakes can be. The decision not to attempt to swim back was right and they summoned assistance. Both were stable and not in any distress but required assistance in getting back to the main shoreline. EDSO SAR was dispatched, and California State Parks offered up their highly trained and skilled Lifeguards to assist in this recovery. Working cooperatively together, State Park Lifeguards swam across to the island and provided a safe passage back to the main shore.

As this incident was occurring a secondary incident developed on the Eagle Falls Trail where a hiker sustained injuries to her ankles and could not hike off of the trail without assistance. EDSO SAR in partnership with California State Parks used a litter basket to provide transport off of the trail. These injuries did not require any immediate medical attention and the hiker was planning to seek further medical attention on her own.

It is in times like this we provide total care and work with our partners in achieving this goal. EDSO thanks California State Parks in providing mutual aid to these incidents.

Source & photos: El Dorado County Sheriff's Office