A Night of Valor on Mount Hood: Injured Hiker Rescued Near Ramona Falls

The allure of the Pacific Northwest’s majestic trails often calls to us, promising breathtaking views and a refreshing escape into nature. But sometimes, as one 26-year-old Damascus woman discovered, that beauty can quickly turn treacherous. What began as a picturesque Saturday hike on March 28th, 2026, on the ever-popular Ramona Falls Trail in the Mount Hood National Forest, spiraled into a harrowing overnight ordeal after she suffered a debilitating broken ankle.

Imagine the scene: roughly two and a half miles into the trail, a misstep, a sudden fall, and then that searing, unmistakable pain. The stunning vistas would have blurred, replaced by a chilling realization of being stranded. With an injured ankle, every step, every movement, becomes an impossible task. Darkness, as it always does in the wilderness, began to creep in, adding another layer of urgency and fear to an already dire situation.

As dusk began to settle, a distress call filtered through, reaching the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office. Without hesitation, the alarm was raised, and the incredible teams from Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR) and American Medical Response (AMR) sprang into action. These aren't just names on a dispatch report; they're highly skilled volunteers, often leaving their own families and warm beds, to venture into the cold and dark to help a stranger.

The journey to reach the injured hiker was no easy feat. As the rescue teams mobilized, they knew they were facing more than just miles of trail. The Ramona Falls area, while stunning, can be notoriously challenging, especially in early spring. They anticipated a mix of rugged terrain, fading light, and the potential for slippery snow and ice underfoot. Yet, with unwavering determination, the volunteers began their arduous ascent, each step bringing them closer to the stranded woman.

Finally, after what must have felt like an eternity for the injured hiker, the beacon of headlamps pierced the gloom. A wave of profound relief, no doubt, washed over her as the PMR volunteers arrived. Their first priority was immediate medical attention: assessing and stabilizing her broken ankle, ensuring she was as comfortable and safe as possible before the long journey out.

Preparing her for transport, the team carefully secured her into a specialized wheeled litter. But getting her to safety wasn't simply a matter of pushing a cart. The descent involved navigating approximately 4.5 miles of truly treacherous terrain – a mix of steep inclines, slick patches of ice, and melting snow, all in the dead of night. It was a painstaking, physically demanding effort, requiring incredible teamwork, focus, and sheer grit from every single rescuer.

After hours of relentless effort, through the darkness and cold, the rescue team and the injured hiker finally reached the trailhead around 4:30 AM on Sunday morning. Exhaustion was undoubtedly etched on every face, but so too was the quiet satisfaction of a mission accomplished. The Damascus woman was then carefully transferred to an awaiting AMR ambulance, finally en route to a local hospital for much-needed medical care.

This incident serves as a poignant reminder of both the inherent beauty and the unpredictable dangers of our beloved wilderness. It also underscores the immense debt of gratitude we owe to the dedicated volunteers of organizations like Portland Mountain Rescue and the swift response of local law enforcement and emergency medical services. Their selflessness ensures that when a dream hike turns into a nightmare, there are always heroes ready to answer the call.