An injured hiker was rescued Tuesday from a trail between two lakes in the Maroon Bells, sheriff’s officials said.
The hiker injured a knee while on the Crater Lake Trail between Maroon Lake and Crater Lake, a popular hike that starts about 30 minutes from downtown Aspen, according to a news release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.
The out-and-back trail spans about two miles in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area.
Sheriff’s officials said the injured hiker texted the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center via satellite at 12:12 p.m. Tuesday. Dispatchers then alerted Mountain Rescue Aspen.
The first rescuers arrived at the trail in 50 minutes to start stabilizing the injured hiker, sheriff’s officials said. More volunteers arrived shortly after and carried the hiker out to a waiting ambulance.
All 19 rescue personnel were out of the field by 2:45 p.m., according to the release.
Mountain Rescue Aspen and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office said people should “hike smart,” which includes knowing their limits, picking the right trail, having an emergency plan and bringing the appropriate gear and supplies.
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