Mariposa County heroes rescue missing hikers |

MARIPOSA–The Mariposa County Sheriff’s Department reports that on
On Monday, June 10, 2024 at 8:30 a.m., their office received a report regarding two overdue matters. The subjects were Leah Bernard (34) and Daren Daniels (38), both of Mariposa. The two men left on June 7 to explore the area's caves and did not return.

Daren's wallet was found on Schilling Road by a resident. Cellular pings were initiated on their phones. Family members were able to inform us of some approximate cell coordinates of where the couple might have gone.

Officers and drones were used to search the roads and area. The CHP H42 helicopter assisted in the search as the search area was extremely steep, hot and thick with brush. Visit the Mariposa County Sheriff's Facebook page here for a video of the helicopter.

The search continued through the night and into June 11, 2024, when a 4×4 search and rescue (SAR) team responded along with several SAR members to search the area on foot.

Around 12:45 p.m., Leah contacted their office via 911 from her cell phone. Using her cell phone coordinates, officers were able to find her exact location and direct searchers to her. Searchers were able to navigate the extremely remote and technical roads where they located it between Quartz Mountain and the North Fork drainage. Leah and Daren were separated, so the searchers continued looking for Daren.

The Sheriff's Office's contracted helicopter service was also called in to assist in the search. Ground search and rescue (SAR) units located tracks believed to belong to Daniels in the Quartz Mountain area.

SAR and drone operations continued overnight around the Quartz Mountain and Merced River drainage areas. Daren was able to text his family asking them to come help him at the convergence of Merced and the North Fork. At approximately 10:45 p.m. on June 11, ground SAR units located Daren after he left Quartz Mountain and took the Merced River Trail.

Leah and Daren were extremely dehydrated, but neither required extensive medical attention.

It's a good reminder to be prepared when using our extensive trails, hiking and camping sites throughout Mariposa County. Create your itinerary and share it with your friends or family. Be prepared for the weather in the area you plan to visit, whether it's hot, cold, raining, etc. Check trail guides to see how rigorous the trails you want to ride are. Stay on the trails.

“Any time we can get people home safely, it’s a great day. With essentially two searches underway simultaneously, this is a great example of rapid reporting, rapid response, and multiple agencies working together to serve our communities. “- Sheriff Jeremy Briese

Sheriff Briese continued, “I cannot say enough good things about our search and rescue team and the Sheriff's Office personnel who coordinate this program. It’s always a great feeling to have a positive outcome in such unknown circumstances. »