Mount Shasta resident Mary Beth Granbery, 72, was reported missing after failing to appear for work on Oct. 2. Her family filed a missing‑person report, prompting a joint search by Siskiyou and Shasta County sheriff’s deputies and volunteer rescue teams.
Search effort expands across national forest
Public information officer Sage Milestone told SFGATE that roughly 25 search‑and‑rescue personnel fanned out along the Cabin Creek Trail, which straddles the border of Shasta and Siskiyou counties within the Shasta‑Trinity National Forest. The team combed the trailhead and surrounding drainages, aware that the remote area can quickly become treacherous.
Woman located near creek after 100‑foot drop
On the morning of Oct. 4, a rescue crew covering a drainage at about 10:30 a.m. discovered Granbery at the bottom of a steep 100‑foot embankment, roughly three miles from the trailhead and 300 yards from the main path. She was found near a creek, disoriented and non‑verbal, with a severe knee injury and signs of exposure.
Milestone explained that Granbery likely set out on a day hike while camping in her van, possibly to fish, and inadvertently left the trail before slipping down the embankment. While officials cannot confirm exactly how long she remained outdoors, they believe she may have been exposed for four or five days.
Helicopter evacuation and medical care
Because of the remote location and the seriousness of her injuries, rescuers evacuated Granbery by helicopter to a local hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Milestone praised the woman’s preparedness: she was wearing layered clothing and the weather had been relatively warm, factors that helped her survive the ordeal.
Safety reminders from rescuers
Milestone urged anyone heading into wilderness areas to share detailed travel plans with friends or family and to establish a clear check‑in schedule. “If there’s not a clear plan with somebody back home that knows when you’ll be back, and especially what to do if you don’t come back, that can really delay the search,” he said.
He added that the search teams have encountered several experienced hikers this summer who, despite knowing the terrain, became lost or injured. The recent rescue underscores the importance of preparation, communication, and respecting the rugged conditions of the Shasta‑Trinity National Forest.
Community gratitude
The rescue crew expressed gratitude to Granbery’s family for promptly alerting authorities and helping locate her vehicle, which led rescuers to the correct search area. “Whatever she did to get herself through this ordeal is extremely impressive, and we’re just so grateful that we found her. She’s a strong lady for sure,” Milestone said.
Authorities continue to monitor Granbery’s condition and will release updates as they become available.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
