Missing Huntington Beach Hiker, Dog Found Alive

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA —Hours after searchers discovered the dog of a missing Huntington Beach camper, Sheryl Powell was also found, Inyo County Sheriff's Department said.

"Powell was found alive by ground search team members near Montenegro Springs," the department said in a release. "She was discovered just below where her dog was found earlier in the day."

Searchers described Powell as "resilient, strong and exhausted" after being lost in the remote area above Big Pine, California.

The massive multi-agency search for Sheryl Powell lasted four days, according to the department.

Her husband reported both his wife and her 5-pound dog missing on July 12.

That day, the couple selected a remote campsite, then Sheryl Powell took the dog for a bathroom break while her husband re-positioned their Jeep, according to the Sheriff's Department.

"After he parked the vehicle he returned to where he had left her but was unable to find his wife or her dog," the spokesperson said. "He searched the area for about an hour, then contacted authorities through his satellite device."

The 60-year-old Huntington Beach resident was taken by ambulance to the local hospital for medical clearance.

"The Inyo Search and Rescue Sheriff continued their search with rescue teams from across California," they said, combing the area from the air, and dog teams searched the rugged ground.

"Challenges Powell endured include multiple gullies, shale slopes, direct sun, little shade, and rattlesnakes," they said.

The Grandview Campground is at 8,600 feet, the closest campground to the ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest.

"The family was extremely cooperative in the search," the department said.

The search was conducted by multiple agencies including: Inyo SAR, Mono SAR, China Lake Mountain Rescue Group, Fresno SAR, Riverside SAR, Tulare SAR, El Dorado SAR, Mariposa SAR, Los Angeles Sheriff's Office/Antelope Valley SAR, San Diego Mountain Rescue Team, Southern-Kern County SAR, Sierra Madre SAR, Placer County SAR, CA Rescue Dog Association.