Elderly Hiker Rescued from Thomas Mountain Trail

October 10, 2025 – Town of Bolton, Warren County

On the afternoon of October 10, New York State Forest Rangers conducted a challenging wilderness rescue in the Town of Bolton after a hiker was unable to continue her descent from Thomas Mountain due to a preexisting knee condition.

At approximately 4:11 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker reporting that her 73-year-old mother, from Bath, New York, was unable to continue the hike. Forest Ranger Geyer initially made contact with the hikers as they descended from the summit toward the north trailhead, but a search of the area produced no results.

Ranger Geyer instructed the hikers to call 911 to obtain accurate GPS coordinates, which placed them on the Ridge Trail between Cat and Thomas Mountains. Eleven Rangers responded to the location, carrying a wheeled litter, medical supplies, and rope systems.

After assessing the hiker’s condition, Rangers stabilized her and wrapped her in a hypothermia wrap for warmth before securing her into the litter. Using a rope-assisted carry system, Rangers carefully transported the woman down the rugged terrain to an ATV access point.

The rescue operation concluded successfully at approximately 8:30 p.m., when Rangers reached the trailhead with the patient.

Officials remind hikers to be mindful of physical limitations and trail difficulty when planning mountain excursions, particularly in remote areas where rescue operations can be complex and time-consuming.

Sources: https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2025/10/dec-forest-rangers-week-in-review-1