Powell County rescue team works to find pair of hikers after GPS signal goes cold near Auxier Ridge Trail

POWELL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) — Powell County Search & Rescue (PCSAR) team members worked through Saturday afternoon to find a pair of hikers after their friend lost contact with them.

Powell County rescue officials posted on social media Saturday that members were told a friend was concerned about the wellbeing of two hikers who hadn’t returned over an hour and a half after they said they would.

Rescue officials said the pair’s GPS signal was no longer pinging, and calls to them were going straight to voicemail.

Just before 4 p.m., team members said a logistics officer went to the Auxier Ridge Trailhead, where the hikers’ vehicle was found. Other hikers heading out of the trailhead were interviewed, but none had seen the pair. Within minutes, a full search response began.

“Rescuers made contact with the hikers at 5:30 PM and confirmed the hikers were safe, uninjured, and had taken shelter along the trail due to heavy rain and strong winds,” PCSAR members wrote.

Rescue officials urged visitors to the Red River Gorge to never hike alone, and if you do, to tell someone you trust when you plan to return.

“These hikers and their friend did everything right!” Rescue personnel wrote.