The Riverside County Sheriff’s Workplace stated it responded to reviews of a hiker in misery close to Anza shortly earlier than midday on April 9.
An indication marks the Pacific Crest Path close to Warner Springs, California. (Photograph: Noah Sauve / Editorial RF through Getty)
Up to date April 10, 2026 12:52PM
A hiker died on a desert part of the Pacific Crest Path in Southern California on Thursday after what authorities described as a “medical emergency.”
In an emailed assertion to Backpacker, a spokesperson for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Workplace stated that at 11:48 a.m. on April 9, deputies responded to a report of a hiker struggling a medical occasion close to Coyote Canyon Highway, a Jeep highway that crosses the path close to the group of Anza at Mile 140, on California Part B of the PCT. Due to the space from the closest paved highway, the division requested assist from its aviation unit, which responded to the scene.
“Deputies reached the hiker and supplied medical assist; nonetheless, the hiker was pronounced deceased on the scene,” the spokesperson wrote. “The Riverside Coroner’s Bureau was contacted and responded to imagine the investigation. The Aviation Unit is at present aiding in retrieving the decedent from the distant space on the mountain climbing path.” The sheriff’s workplace declined to share further info, citing the continuing investigation.
The Riverside Coroner recognized the deceased hiker as 43-year-old Ian Maclurg from San Diego.
Extending practically 100 miles from Warner Springs to the path’s intersection with I-10 close to Whitewater, CA Part B runs by way of the excessive desert of Southern California earlier than climbing into the San Jacinto Mountains, broadly thought of the primary critical peaks of the path that northbound thru-hikers encounter.
It is a growing story and Backpacker will replace it as extra info turns into out there.
Corey Buhay supplied further reporting.
