Boulder County, Colo. - On August 24, just after 5:00 p.m., the Boulder County Communications Center was notified of an 82-year-old female who was reported missing by friends in the Brainard Lake Recreation Area after she hadn’t returned to the trailhead after walking on the Gateway Trail.

Search and rescue crews headed to the area and began searching for her last night and throughout the overnight hours. A larger team continued the search and rescue efforts this morning and were able to locate her at approximately 1:00 p.m. today, August 25.

She, along with two friends, had been out foraging for mushrooms when she became lost and ended up off trail. She was found by search and rescue approximately 1/3 of a mile from where she had last been seen. More than two dozen people searched for her last night, including the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAS).

Although she ended up being outside overnight in low temperatures and with a heavy rain that came through the area in the late afternoon, she was in remarkable health when crews found her. She was able to walk out to the trailhead on her own, with the assistance of rescuers. She was evaluated by medical personnel at the trailhead and reunited with her friends.

The following agencies assisted with the search: Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Boulder County Mounted Search and Rescue, Larimer County Search and Rescue, Grand County Search and Rescue, Douglas County Search and Rescue, Alpine Rescue Team, Boulder Emergency Squad, Indian Peaks Fire Protection District, Search and Rescue Dogs of the United States, and American Medical Response.

The associated Boulder County Sheriff’s Office case number is: 22-04169.

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/s/ Carrie Haverfield, Public Information Specialist