A hiker trapped on California's Taboose Pass trail was rescued late on June 12 after a spider bite left her unable to feel her legs, immobilizing her in the remote Sierra Nevada mountains.

Rescue personnel from Inyo County located and saved a hiker who called for help after being bitten by a spider while fetching water. The incident, which highlights the challenges and dangers of hiking on less maintained trails like Taboose Pass, emphasizes the importance of carrying backup communication devices. The rescue, involving ropes and a wheeled carrier, took place just before midnight, with teams navigating rough terrain to reach the stranded hiker.

The hiker contacted emergency services around 6:30 p.m., using her mobile phone to relay her coordinates. Unfortunately, her phone battery died shortly after she sent her location. Despite this setback, the information provided was sufficient for the Inyo County search and rescue team to begin their operation.

When the call came in, the rescue team prepared for the challenging conditions expected on the Taboose Pass trail. The team drove a rough road to the trailhead, from where they navigated on foot with a wheeled carrier they brought along to aid in transporting the hiker once located.

The rescue personnel reached the vicinity where the hiker was stranded after midnight. Due to the steep and uneven sections of the trail, they had to use ropes to ensure her safety while guiding her down the mountain.

The hiker was approximately two miles from the trailhead when she experienced the spider bite. At that point, she had been fetching water from a creek and was unaware of the severity of the situation until she realized she could no longer feel her legs.

Inyo County search and rescue teams used a combination of navigation skills and physical effort to push the wheeled carrier for about a mile and a half. When the trail became too challenging, they had to resort to carrying the hiker for parts of the journey to ensure her safe extraction.

By the time the team reached the trailhead, it was just before midnight. Given the complexity and urgency of the situation, the rescue operation proceeded as efficiently as possible to deliver the hiker to safety.

Inyo County officials noted that trails in the area such as Taboose Pass, Sawmill Pass, Baxter Pass, and Shepherd Pass are less maintained and can present difficult sections with steep grades, requiring extra caution from those who choose to hike them.

Following the incident, Inyo County search and rescue advised all hikers to bring additional power banks for their phones or to use satellite messaging devices to ensure they have reliable communication in case of emergencies.

The hiker could not continue her hike due to the paralyzing effect of the spider bite, emphasizing the importance of immediate action and adequate preparation for those venturing into remote and rugged terrains. The quick response and coordinated effort of the rescue team undoubtedly made a crucial difference in the outcome of the event.