Wilderness Rescue in Town of Hunter: Injured Hiker Airlifted from Devil’s Path

Hunter, N.Y. — On Thursday, September 26, at approximately 2:00 p.m., six New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers responded to a report of an injured hiker along Devil’s Path in the Indian Head Wilderness Area.

The call came from Jimmy Dolan Notch, located between Indian Head and Twin Mountain, where a 29-year-old hiker had suffered an ankle injury. By 4:30 p.m., Forest Rangers, along with a Greene County Paramedic and Hunter EMT, reached the hiker and determined the injury was unstable and required advanced evacuation.

Given the rugged terrain and remote location, Rangers requested assistance from the New York State Police Aviation Unit. Pilots Engle and Maycrink, together with Ranger Lieutenant Gullen and Ranger Thompson, responded by helicopter and conducted a successful hoist rescue.

The hiker was safely transported to the base of the mountain, where Hunter EMS took over care and transported the individual to a nearby hospital for further treatment.

All responding resources were cleared from the scene by 7:15 p.m. Video of the helicopter hoist rescue has been made available.

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