On December 21 at 5:50 p.m., Ulster County 911 called Ray Brook dispatch requesting Forest Ranger assistance to locate two lost hikers on the Giant Ledge trail. The windchill temperature was 0 degrees. One of the hikers was wearing jeans and non-insulated boots. The other was wearing cotton athletic pants and running sneakers. They did not have traction devices for their footwear or headlamps to hike in the dark. On their descent, the hikers got lost in the low-light conditions and ended up approximately a quarter mile west of the trail. They attempted bushwhacking from their location directly toward where they thought the parking area was, which forced them to cross two small streams, resulting in wet and cold feet. They texted 911 that they were lost, which gave dispatchers their coordinates. Rangers Jeffery and Rusher hiked up the icy trail and eventually saw their tracks leading off trail. At 7:15 p.m., Rangers reached the 36- and 38-year-old subjects from Congers. Rangers provided hot tea, headlamps, and dry socks. Rangers led them back to the trailhead and educated them on winter hiking safety. Resources were clear at 8:30 p.m.
