A father and his 18-month-old son were dramatically rescued by helicopter after the pair became trapped in deep Sierra snow above 10,000 feet, authorities said.
The rescue unfolded Thursday near Freel Peak, a 10,881-foot summit south of Lake Tahoe, where lingering snowpack still blankets sections of the high country despite warmer temperatures below.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the man had been mountain biking with his toddler late Thursday afternoon when snow completely blocked the trail.
Trying to get back to dirt terrain, the father pushed through the snow but quickly became exhausted in the brutal conditions.
Officials said he also was not prepared to remain in the mountains after sunset.
As temperatures dropped, the situation escalated when the child began showing signs of “extreme discomfort,” leading the father to believe the toddler needed medical attention.
An emergency response team with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the department’s helicopter, Echo 1, were dispatched to the remote area.
Authorities said the helicopter crew quickly located the stranded pair before coordinating a rescue plan with ground volunteers.
Two rescuers were flown to a landing zone high on the shoulder of Freel Peak, above 10,000 feet, then hiked down through the rugged terrain to reach the father and son.
Echo 1 later airlifted both survivors to South Lake Tahoe Airport, where South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue personnel treated them.
The dramatic rescue comes as officials continue warning outdoor enthusiasts that winter conditions remain firmly in place across parts of the Sierra Nevada.
Earlier this week, the Tahoe Rim Trail Association cautioned that elevations above 9,000 feet, especially north-and east-facing slopes, are still packed with snow, slush, mud, runoff and flooded trail sections.
And forecasters say more snow is on the way.
A late-season storm moving across Northern California is expected to bring fresh snowfall to the Sierra this week, according to the National Weather Service.
Meteorologists forecast up to 4 inches of snow at higher elevations, while parts of the Lake Tahoe area could see 1 to 2 inches of slushy accumulation.
Snow chances are expected to peak Tuesday and Wednesday nights as temperatures fall below freezing, though forecasters warned snow showers, thunderstorms, lightning and small hail could hit throughout the week.
Caltrans temporarily closed several mountain passes ahead of the storm, including Highway 4 at Ebbetts Pass, Highway 89 at Monitor Pass and Highway 108 at Sonora Pass.
“This temperature ‘whiplash’ (and the mountain snow chances) tends to catch people with plans to recreate outdoors off-guard,” the weather service warned in a social media post.
