West Elk Mountain Rescue

07/13/2026

Great reminders. Stay safe and be prepared.

🏔️ 🌤️ Colorado Hiking Safety — Quick Tips from Douglas County Search and Rescue 🌤️ 🏔️

Before you go:
• Tell someone your route & return time
• Avoid hiking alone when possible
• Pack essentials like water, food, headlamp, extra layer, navigation, first aid, emergency shelter (even a trash bag works), sunscreen, whistle & a small mirror
• Wear bright colors to help rescuers and drones spot you in case you get lost or injured

On the trail:
• Use landmarks and pay attention
• Stay together as a group
• Stay ahead of weather by putting on layers or rain gear before they are needed
• Drink water often — even if you’re not thirsty

If you get lost:
• Stop, stay calm, stay put
• Make noise, use your whistle, get visible
• Stay warm and dry; create shelter if needed
• Text 911 if signal is weak (texts often go through)
• Answer unknown calls — it could be rescuers
• Know how to find your phone’s GPS location

06/24/2026

West Elk Mountain Rescue will have a booth again at Cherry Days this year on Saturday, July 4th.. We will be serving hamburger/cheeseburger or brat meals that include chips and beverage of choice.. This year we will also be offering a refreshing icy treat with donation.. Please come and spend the 4th with us and support your local non profit Mountain Rescue Team 🇺🇸

05/26/2026

Happy Memorial Day from West Elk Mountain Rescue from Needle Rock

05/23/2026

01/26/2026

Busy training weekend, Saturday avalanche training on grand mesa thanks to Josh.
Sunday snowmobile training for Amanda and Courtney.

Our next meeting is at the marble firehouse on February fourth at 1800 we really need more volunteers that ski the marble area!

10/17/2025

Big thanks to the team members who volunteered this year with The Nature Connection's , a 25-mile trail run/hike/ruck from Crawford to Paonia!

West Elk Mountain Rescue would like to remind everyone of a few tips before heading out to enjoy 🍂 fall in our beautiful backcountry:

📞 Carry the Ten Essentials & know how to use them

❄️ Prepare for unpredictable conditions by checking the weather

🧣Dress in layers (especially bright colors 🧡, not just for hunting season but year-round!)

📍 Inform someone of your trip location, plans, and ⏰ return time.

The USFS Paonia Ranger District and the Women's Surface Creek Saddle Club have packed in 50 gal of water, snacks and rescue gear for West Elk Mountain Rescue Team members.

Without these valuable partners... we couldn't put on the West Elk Challenge.

Extra thanks to for feeding our backcountry volunteers.

Please thank these important members of our community for their support!

10/01/2025

Interested in joining West Elk Mountain Rescue? Come to October's meeting to learn more:

🗓️ Wednesday, October 1st, 2025
⏰ 6 PM
📍 Heritage Hall in Hotchkiss, S 4th St., Hotchkiss, CO 81419 (part of the Delta County Fairgrounds campus)

We look forward to seeing you there. A big thank you to our team members and the community for their support of this important work!

09/19/2025

Huge thanks to Big B's Delicious Orchards and Pickin' Productions. See you all tonight for music with Mojo Birds!

You can always learn more and support your local search and rescue team by donating on our website at https://www.westelkmountainrescue.org/ or via Venmo at West Elk Mountain Rescue.