Lost hunter found east of Tyler

TYLER – A lost hunter was located Nov. 14, about eight hours after he became lost in the fog along the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail.

The hunter – whose name, age and hometown the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office has yet to release – called for help on his cell phone at about 5:20 p.m., records show. He was later located cold and tired, but otherwise uninjured, in the Ballinger Lake area, south and east of the South Mullinix-South Harmony Road intersection, records show.

According to the report, the hunter called emergency dispatch seeking assistance because he had become disoriented in the fog and darkness and wandered the wooded area for about eight hours, the report said.

With only 5% power remaining on his cellphone batter, dispatchers were able to get a general vicinity of the lost hunter and called in search and rescue.

The northern stretch of the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail runs from Fish Lake northeast of Cheney and meanders 23 miles to Sprague, ending at Martin Road. A southern portion runs from Sprague area to Washtucna and the Snake River Canyon, with a spur connecting to Sacajawea State Park outside Pasco.

The Sheriff’s Office recommends hunters and others using the trail share details of their outdoor activity, including an expected itinerary or return time, with family members or friends.

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