ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST, LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE

Women rescued in forest

Search team members rescued La Canada Flintridge woman and daughter who misjudged the time a hike would take.

By Gretchen Hoffman

April 2 2002

LA CANADA FLINTRIDGE -- A woman, her daughter and their dog were rescued from the Angeles National Forest after a hike took longer than planned and darkness fell, officials said.

Toni Johnson, 57, and Taj Johnson, 29, both of La Canada Flintridge, set off with their dog from Switzer campground at about 3 p.m. Sunday for what they thought was a two-hour hike, Montrose Search and Rescue Team spokesman Mike Leum said.

Team members were alerted that they hadn't returned from the hike at about 7:30 p.m., Leum added. Toni Johnson had given her husband the details of the hike. He was also able to tell officials what his wife and daughter were wearing -- alerting officials to the fact that they didn't have the necessary equipment for a night in the wilderness, deputies said.

Rescue personnel began their search at 8 p.m. and, thanks to the popularity of the trail with local hikers, found the women at about 9:30 p.m. at the Paul Little picnic area, Leum said.

Rescuers split up in teams, canvassing the areas in which lost hikers are most frequently found, Leum said.

"It's kind of a probability thing," he said. "We do so many searches there, we kind of know where we'll find them."

"Our only hope is that they stay put instead of keeping going," Leum added.

The women were not injured, officials said.

"They were in great spirits and great shape," Leum added.

Even if people plan to be out on a short hike, advance preparation is essential, officials said. Hikers should take care to leave enough time to finish before sundown, and a flashlight and warm clothing should always be carried, Sgt. Randy Sulstrom of the Crescenta Valley Sheriffs Station said.

Guidebooks often have outdated information and trail conditions can change rapidly, Leum added.