Town of Keene , Essex County: On April 19 at 1:50 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers worried about frostbite after getting their feet wet while crossing a creek on Mount Marcy. At 4:22 p.m., Forest Rangers Odell and Rooney reached the two 17-year-olds near the Phelps junction. Rangers assessed the teenagers from Connecticut and determined they had muscle soreness, but no frostbite, and could continue walking on their own. Rangers escorted the pair out of the woods. Resources were clear at 6:41 p.m.

Teens lost in Moose River Plains

Town of Inlet , Hamilton County: On April 18 at 5:35 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about two hikers lost off trail in Moose River Plains Wild Forest. Forest Rangers arrived at 6 p.m. and located the 16- and 17-year-olds in good health. Rangers escorted them to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 8:15 p.m.

Overdue hikers in Dix Range

Town of North Hudson , Essex County: On April 18 at 7:01 p.m., Essex County received a text reporting a stranded hiker on the Lillian Brook trail in the Dix Range. Forest Ranger Odell located the subjects’ vehicles at the Elk Lake Road gate. At 2 p.m., loved ones called to report the 61-year-old and 28-year-old got a little lost on their planned hike of Macomb, South Dix, Grace, and Hough mountains. When Ranger Foutch arrived, Rangers found the subjects walking out. According to the hikers, it was an accidental 911 activation, but they had underestimated the snowy conditions and the time required for their hike. The pair was unprepared for the darkness; they didn’t have any headlamps. Rangers escorted the pair to their vehicles. Resources were clear at 10 p.m.

Flood-response training

Towns of Chester, Lake George, and Lake Luzerne , Warren County: On April 14-16, 16 Forest Rangers participated in the largest Flood Incident Response Strike Team (FIRST) exercise ever held on the Hudson and Schroon rivers. Ranger instructors taught 82 participants techniques for whitewater swimming, throw bag rescues, swiftwater rope work, inflatable rescue boat operations, and swiftwater river crossings. FIRST is comprised of New York State Fire, New York State Police Dive Team, New York State Park Police, New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, and Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers. The joint training effort will make crews better prepared to work together during flood responses.

Night vision training

Towns of Long Lake and Newcomb , Hamilton and Essex Counties: On April 17, Forest Rangers Lewis, Martin, and Sabo trained with New York State Police Pilot Engle to become proficient in using night vision goggles.

Unresponsive hiker on Bald Mt.

Town of Webb , Herkimer County : On April 18 at 3:37 p.m., Herkimer County requested Forest Ranger assistance with a hiker who fainted at the top of the Bald Mountain fire tower. Forest Ranger Lieutenant Bills, and Rangers Lee, Piersma, and Waligory responded. Witnesses reported seeing the 36-year-old from Gouverneur drinking with another hiker. When Rangers arrived, the other hiker dumped out a bag in an apparent effort to hide something. With the possibility of drug use, Rangers administered Narcan to the unconscious hiker. The patient remained unconscious. Rangers worked with the Eagle Bay and Old Forge Fire Departments and the town of Webb Police on multiple rope systems along the trail to get the hiker to an Old Forge Ambulance. The following day, the subject was awake and in stable condition.

Ongoing search for hunter missing since 2015

Town of Horicon , Warren County: On April 18, Forest Rangers conducted a limited continuous search for Tom Messick, a hunter missing since 2015. Three Rangers joined 19 members of Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue (LASAR) to focus on areas that may reveal clues about his disappearance. Volunteers used the opportunity to improve their crew boss and search skills. The last search was conducted in November 2025 on the 10-year anniversary of Messick’s disappearance.

Water rescue in Tupper Lake

Village of Tupper Lake . Franklin County : On April 18 at 3:42 p.m., two Forest Rangers responded to a report of a subject stranded on Watch Island. The subject had a canoe but was concerned about capsizing in the cold water again. The subject and their dog already capsized once. Rangers used a motorboat to rescue the subject and the dog. Resources were clear at 6:52 p.m.

Cold, wet hikers on Santanoni

Town of Newcomb , Essex County: On April 19 at 5:56 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call regarding two overdue hikers. The hikers, ages 23- and 24, from Cazenovia, planned to hike the Santanoni Range. A friend found the pair’s vehicle in the parking area. At 8:42 a.m., Forest Rangers located the hikers. They were cold and wet. Rangers rewarmed the subjects and assisted them back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 9:27 a.m.

Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s “ Hike Smart NY ,” “ Adirondack Backcountry ,” and “ Catskill Backcountry Information ” webpages for more information.If a person needs a Forest Ranger, whether it’s for a search and rescue, to report a wildfire, or to report illegal activity on State lands and easements, they should call 833-NYS-RANGERS. If a person needs urgent assistance, they can call 911. To contact a Forest Ranger for information about a specific location, the DEC website has phone numbers for every Ranger listed by region: http://on.ny.gov/NYSForestRangerRoster .