Verde Search and Rescue-VSAR

08/25/2026

Mission Call Out #85........Bell Rock. 8.24.26 1311 hrs.
A hiker called in that she was ledged out on Bell Rock. That is easy to do. After a great hike she became stuck as she descended. She stopped in an area with an 18'-20' drop off. She was visiting from Pennsylvania and successfully climbed to a much higher point on Bell Rock. A hasty team got to her and used a safety line belay to give some added support to scramble to a better route off of the mountain. The better route out was a bit higher on the rock. Great work by the volunteers. This is the 5th mission on Bell Rock this year.
-Hike Safe
VSAR

08/24/2026

Mission Call Out #84 Devils Bridge/FR152
On 8/23/26 at 1150 hrs 14 VSAR volunteers responded to a report of a man calling for help near Devils Bridge Trailhead and just off of FR 152. A jeep tour driver reported hearing a man yell for help off trail. Others also heard the man. 911 was called. An area was estimated to search. Nothing was found. The Chuckwagon trail was then hiked. The road was driven by VSAR 4x4s. The area was crowded with hikers on trail and the dirt road. The Friends of the Forest were conducting PSAR at Dry Creek TH handing out water and having a cooling station. Lots of activity and movement. Nothing was substantiated and the search ended. Thank you to the volunteers for search #3 in basically 26 hrs. YCSRT in Prescott also had three missions. Our YCSO Forest Patrol Deputies have been working hard. Summer has been busy.

Why is this interesting? VSAR only had 84 mission calls last year…..

-Hike Safe
VSAR

08/23/2026

Mission Call Out #83 -Mescal, Birthing Cave Area 8/22/2026
14 VSAR responded to a 911 call from an out of country cell phone. The caller was from another country and the group was estimated at 12. They were lost at 8:05 PM. VSAR searchers set out to the 911 coordinates and no one was located in the area. A broader search was conducted on Mescal Butte, and the full trail around the mountain (Deadman’s Pass, Long Canyon, Mescal Trail, parts of Boynton). We are unable to call this number back due to out of country limitations. All vehicles (3) in the area were eliminated as connected to lost individuals. A VSAR drone was used in the search. DPS Ranger flew the area with night imaging equipment. VSAR searchers were released after the helicopter ended the search. Late night with motivated volunteers. Several miles were covered in the search.

-Hike Safe
VSAR

08/18/2026

Mission #81 8/17/26 1501 hrs
Bell Rock-VOC
VSAR set out on a distress call of a man ledged out in the south side of Bell Rock. There are many possibilities to get stuck on Bell Rock. The YCSO deputy verified the subjects location and the coordinates are placed on a CalTopo map. 12 VSAR responded and two teams set out. A hasty team of hikers and a technical rope team deployed from the parking lot. Even if we can scramble to a subject, often a safety harness and rope are used to assist the scramble down. The hiker made a stop in sedona enroute to Phoenix for a work trip. It was hot and a tree was used to shelter in the shade when he called 911.
We would prefer to come get you and provide water, electrolytes, and a guided route back. A good decision to call 911 vs get in a tougher spot, with no shade.
Our views are incredible. Thank you to the volunteers who train for all conditions.
Hike Safe
-VSAR

08/18/2026

Missions #80- 8/16/26 1723 hrs
Bell Trail (The Crack)
VSAR responded to an RP’s concern regarding no contact with the daughter who was at the Crack. There is no cell service in the area 3 miles from the parking lot. Rescuers verified the subjects vehicle was in the overflow parking lot. A hiking team then set out. The subject was located hiking back with another hiker. 14 VSAR responded. 4x4’s were needed to cover an upper trail in case of exit. Another 4x4 was able to transport VSAR hikers faster into the area trail for quicker deployment. All hikers and the abject hiked out.

08/14/2026

Great job to Jeep Posse and YCSRT 4x4 teams. Teamwork to cover such a water logged road.

08/09/2026

Firefighters are responding to the Turkey Fire located west of the Village of Oak Creek.

More information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino/newsroom/releases/firefighters-responding-turkey-fire-west-village-oak-creek

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

8/3/2026 at 1830 hrs - Assist family in Wagoneer on Diamondback Trail.
Mission #78 for this year. VSAR 4x4 responded and provided a bit of trail guidance so the driver of the Wagoneer could safely drive out. The family members were given a ride to the trailhead on FR525 as the driver navigated the road. Great work by everyone. We exited the way the Wagoneer came in. The driver did stop before the steep hill so it was easier to just return the same way.

Drive safe
-VSAR