A mountain biker was rescued Thursday afternoon after suffering a serious leg injury while riding on the Mt. Elwell Trail in the Lakes Basin Recreation Area.
According to Plumas County Search and Rescue, crews were paged at approximately 3:00 p.m. for a report of an injured rider on the popular trail. Multiple agencies responded to the remote location, including the California Highway Patrol’s Northern Division Air Operations helicopter.
Ground responders reached the injured rider first and treated a significant leg laceration by bandaging the wound. Meanwhile, the CHP helicopter located a suitable landing area near the victim, allowing the patient to be safely loaded for transport.
The injured mountain biker was flown to the Gold Lake Staging Area off Gold Lake Highway, where a companion was waiting to provide further transportation.
Search and Rescue officials thanked the responding agencies for their assistance, including Graeagle Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service personnel, CARE Flight, and CHP Northern Division Air Operations.
With summer recreation in full swing, Plumas County Search and Rescue is reminding outdoor enthusiasts to have a plan for reaching help before heading into remote areas. Officials also noted that high daytime temperatures can increase the risks associated with injuries in backcountry locations, making preparedness especially important.
