Mom and Son Rescued in California Forest After Leaving Notes for Help

A Boy Scout Trip Turned Into a Rescue Mission

A mother and her 9-year-old son were found safe after getting lost in a remote part of a California forest on their way to a Boy Scouts camp.

Rescuers discovered the pair after spotting handwritten notes they had left along a rugged forest road. The notes, weighted down with rocks and marked “HELP,” helped guide search teams right to them.

The rescue happened in the Sierra Nevada foothills, and it’s a reminder of how simple actions—like leaving a note and staying put—can make a big difference in emergencies.

Lost in the Forest With No Signal

The mom and son had left the Sacramento area on Friday, planning to drive to a nearby Boy Scouts camp. But their GPS sent them down old logging roads deep in the forest. Eventually, they lost cell service and became stranded about 10 miles from the nearest paved road.

They never arrived at the camp, and concerned friends or family reported them missing the next day.

According to Lt. Greg Stark from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, “They got off the beaten path, lost their signal, and ended up stuck.”

Notes Lead Search Team to Their Location

A volunteer search-and-rescue team was already training nearby when the mother and son were reported missing. With the help of a location-sharing app, the team was able to narrow down where the pair might be.

The real breakthrough came when the search team found a note left by the mom.

“HELP. Me and my son are stranded with no service and can’t call 911. We are ahead, up the road to the right. Please call 911 to get help for us. Thank you!”

They found a second note farther down the road. About a mile later, they reached the pair, who were near their vehicle, which had gotten stuck.

A Smart, Prepared Response

The mother and son had spent the night inside their car. Luckily, they had packed a cooler full of food and drinks, enough to last several days at the camp.

Authorities say the two did several things right that helped them get found quickly.

• They told others where they were going and when to expect them.
• They stayed with their vehicle instead of trying to walk out.
• They left visible notes along the road for searchers to find.
• The boy used a Scout whistle to make three short blasts—a signal for help taught in scouting.

“They did everything right,” said Lt. Stark. “They put themselves in the best position to be found.”

Rescued and Safe

The rescue happened on Saturday, about 24 hours after the pair went missing. They were tired but safe and didn’t need any medical attention.

Thanks to smart thinking, some Boy Scout training, and a timely response from the local search team, what could’ve been a much scarier situation ended on a positive note.

Officials praised the quick action of the Calaveras County search-and-rescue volunteers, who were already in the area training when the call came in.

A Reminder for All Hikers and Campers

This story is a good reminder that even a simple trip can take a wrong turn—especially in remote areas. Here are a few tips experts recommend:

• Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll return.
• Don’t rely solely on GPS or cell phones in the wilderness.
• Bring extra supplies, just in case.
• Stay put if you get lost. It makes it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Know basic emergency signals like whistle blasts or visible markers.

Thanks to their preparation and calm thinking, this mom and son made it through a tough situation and were reunited with their loved ones.

As Lt. Stark said, “This could have ended very differently, but they gave themselves every chance to be found. That made all the difference.”