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This story was originally published August 21, 2021, 10:20 AM. Following the discovery of the bodies, although there was no sign of foul play or of trauma to the bodies, but in accordance with procedure, the investigation was classified as a homicide, pending results from the coroners post-mortem examinations and toxicology tests. The trailhead is located at the end of a dirt road. But they'll cost you, Fight at high school basketball game in S.F. This hike was a good workout and I sure loved seeing this old mining country from a different perspective. Their bodies were discovered on 17 August along the Savage-Lundy Trail in Devil's Gulch near Hites Cove. In addition to the gold, minerals such as Arsenopyrite, Baryte, Calcite, Galena, Gold, Nontronite, Pitticite, Platinum, Pyrite, Quartz, Scorodite, Siderite and Sphalerite. There exists the possibility that a hazard was identified near, but not on, the trail that posed a risk to the family. This is no recreation area, said a neighbor, who lives next door to the familys Darrah property that they also rent out on Airbnb. The Hite's Cove Trail is a very popular trail that people use to get down to those old mining camps. Thank you. The Savage-Lundy Trail described by Briese as a steep, established and popular trail was also closed around where the family was found. Two deputies slept near the family that night to ensure that no one tampered with the scene and the bodies were airlifted off the trail the next morning by a CHP helicopter. Burstarse Falls via PCT from Dog Trailhead, Upper Sisson-Callahan Trail: North Fork Sacramento to Deadfall Crest, North Fork Sacramento River and Toad Lake Loop, Heaven's Spring via Soapstone Trail and PCT. Rita, another hikerhappened to have a similar groove as mine so we stayed together. Oct. 21, 2021. The sky was becoming overcast and we could finally feel a cooling breeze. The Savage Lundy Trail is a 2.8-mile long trail and is the most difficult trail in the area near the south fork of the Merced River and the Devil's Gulch. The area is populated by pines, incense cedar and oaks many killed in the 2018 Ferguson Fire. Driver hits parked cars, then runs, Fresno police say. The ore contains native gold and often abundant sulfides. Investigators have been very tight-lipped about their investigation, not providing any additional details after they learned about the high levels of ATX in the Merced Rivers due to toxic algal blooms. Ascending options include riding up Mission Creek Rd to Beehive Rd. The bodies of John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their 1-year-old daughter, Muji, and their dog were all found Aug. 17 near Savage Lundy Trail, in a remote area known as Devil's Gulch in the. One of the premier mountain bike trails in the PNW. 1198.11 m Down, 8.0 mi They continued walking along 20E01.4 trail which parallels the South Fork of the Merced River for approximately 1.9 miles towards the Savage Lundy Trail intersection. We found a good lunch spot by the river, where nice reflections of rock and grasses changed with the light and light breeze. The other trailhead is at the end of Jerseydale Road. Its south-southeast orientation exposes it to constant . . 3,840' Up Crozier saga involving a COVID-19 outbreak aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier. Beautiful pictures! Ellen Chung, 31, worked as a yoga instructor before becoming pregnant with their daughter. I have links to my prior blogs on those hikes, which showcase spring flowers and mining history, at the end. California State Water Resources Control Board and Mariposa County said they were continuing to test waterways in the area for any toxic algae and cyanobacterial toxins. Did algae bloom kill family hiking in Mariposa County? Even though I didnt make it to Devils Gulch, the foothill woodland area with its steep and narrow canyonwas a sight to see; and spending the morning with a new friend filled me with joy. It begins at 3s02c and ends at South Fork Merced 21e01. Initial autopsy. Its different from another popular trailhead to the Hites Cove area along Highway 140 in the river canyon closer to Yosemite. If you're riding up the road, make sure to turn right after about 2.5 miles and continue up Mission Creek and not left up Peavine Canyon. There were quite a few mines in the area that were worked back in the day in this area which is located in the Hite Cove Mining District. 1216.16 m Up 12.8 km For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The sheriffs office said the entire Savage-Lundy Trail loop, where the family was found dead, is approximately 8.5 miles, with 5 miles of that being a steep southern exposure path with little-to-no trees or shade in the 2018 Ferguson Fire burn scar. On Thursday, a sign appeared to be newly installed at the start of the trail used by the family warned: Harmful algae may be present in this water. It alerts hikers to not drink the water or eat shellfish, and to keep children and pets out of the water. Trail at Hite Cove Distance: 2-4 miles (3.2-6.4) roundtrip for wildflower viewing, 9 miles (14.5km) to Hite Cove Elevation: 1,500 ft (457m) Difficulty: Easy Time: 2-5 hours Begin at: Savage's Trading Post on Hwy 140 Get Directions overview amenities Hite Cove Trail The beautiful Merced River along Highway 140, is a popular scenic area. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Multi-use trail primarily used by motorcycles and mountain bikes. The Hite Cove Trail offers spectacular views, albeit smoky on Thursday. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Boy Scouts carrying full packs squeezed by. After the gate, the Forest Service Road is a steep drop, which eventually leads to the Savage. The trailhead was not signed at the beginning but a tree was blazed and had a sign on it farther down. The mornings drive in was my first experience with that type of terrain. This story was originally published August 26, 2021, 3:23 PM. Wife of missing Bay Area radio host says Jeffrey Vandergrift will not Sen. Dianne Feinstein is hospitalized in San Francisco with shingles, California extends deadline to file 2022 income taxes to match IRS decision, One firefighter rolled his bulldozer down a ravine, Going to Tahoe this weekend? The family hiked approximately 2 miles up the Savage Lundy trail. Since then, the Mariposa County Sheriffs Office, which is investigating the deaths along with the California Department of Justice, has ruled out weapons and chemical hazards along the Savage Lundy Trail as contributing factors in the family's mysterious death, according to the Sacramento Bee. This trail is therefore very popular from February to April. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Email: matthias.gafni@sfchronicle.com, megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com. Poison oak is also present along the trail, a plant that, when burnt, produces toxins capable of causing respiratory distress, although there were no fires known to be burning in the area at the time of the deaths. Their friend, Mariposa real estate agent Sidney Radanovich, said, "(They) fell in love with the Mariposa area" and bought several homes there, a residence for themselves and rental investments.. 834' Down Investigators were initially considering whether toxic algae blooms or other hazards may have contributed to the deaths, and the area where the family was found was briefly treated as a hazmat site. For all of the fretting I did in my mind about the drive, it wasnt as bad as I built it up to be. This was a fun hike. Autopsies on the bodies were completed on Thursday, August 19. River and creek water is present, but only at bottom of the trail, almost 2,000 feet below the trailhead. its devastating to everyone. Multiple water samples were taken in the area for testing. Hiking through country that is rich with mining history gave me the chance to walk in the footprints of unknown miners who had dreams of striking it rich in the South Fork of the Merced River. IE 11 is not supported. The couple had been inseparable since they met several years ago, and forwent a large ceremony to wed in San Franciscos City Hall, said family friend Steve Jeffe, who also lives in Mariposa. We're looking at the entire area as a whole.". John was in a seated position, with the baby beside him along with the dog, and Ellen was just a little farther up the hill. An Adventure Projects staff member will review this and take an appropriate action, but we generally don't reply. The California Department of Public Health said it did not know of any human deaths from recreational or drinking water exposure to cyanobacterial toxin, although some animals have been killed by algae. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites. . John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their daughter Miju, 1, and the family's dog Oski were all discovered on the 3-mile long Savage-Lundy Trail in the forest, in an area known as Devil's Gulchnear the community of Hites Cove. A ranger's gate blocks the final stretch that is steep and requires a four-wheel drive vehicle. At that point, the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office confirmed the shocking news that the family died of hyperthermia and probable dehydration, while their 8-year-old dog Oski also suffered a heat-related death. 21.0 km John Gerrish, 45, was from Lancashire, in the U.K., and moved to the US several years ago, working as a software engineer for Google in San Francisco. Gerrish for years had been an engineer for Google, Jeffe said, and had only recently begun working at Snapchat after his paternity leave had ended. 3,990' Up The trail was named for Major James Savage, "discoverer" of Yosemite Valley; and Otto Lundy, a miner and owner of May Lundy Mine. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. The sheriffs office plans to share another update when toxicology results are back, and there is no current timeframe for that.. Mitchell said some water samples were sent to labs for testing Aug. 19, and additional water samples were collected Monday from along the trail area where they were found. That main stem flows parallel to Highway 140 in a river canyon, away from nearby Yosemite. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Nothing significant is found. While investigators arent ruling out the possibility of the family inhaling a toxic gas from mines in the area, experts say such a scenario is highly unlikely, if not unheard of. . Its nothing but rattlesnakes and old mines.. He lives with his wife and three kids in the East Bay. ", Jeremy Briese, the sheriff of Mariposa County, said the deaths had confounded him and his team, Ive been here for 20 years and Ive never seen a death, with any case, like this. She was earning her Masters in Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies after having graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2012. This is a carousel. Length 5.0 miElevation gain 905 ftRoute type Out & back. Friends and family were making their way from around the globe to Mariposa, where Gerrish and Chung had recently resettled after leaving the rush of San Francisco during the pandemic. Oski were located deceased near the Devil's Gulch area in the Southfork of the Merced River drainage. They are known as fire-type pines due to the prolific reproduction that follows the fires which occur in the foothills they inhabit. Once we made it down toward the South Fork of the Merced River and headed downstream from Snyder Gulch, we were at a fork in the trail. This is the first hyperthermia cause of death that I've witnessed here in 20 years. The name honors John Hite, who discovered gold at the site. 0 The following year, he was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize for breaking news for his work covering the Camp Fire. And I cant imagine anything at a historic mine site that would have caused what occurred there.. I could never walk that steep trail but I am proud of you for taking it on! " Mariposa Trails OpenMapTiles OSM 3.0 Miles Point to Point 3,716' High Mining lawyer Patrick Mitchell said it would take serious effort to reach a depth in any mine that would pose deadly health risks, and thats even if they could find access. Investigators quickly tried to determine if the phone saved any failed text message drafts, attempted calls, or photos, along with GPS location data. Jonathan Gerrish, 45, and Ellen Chung, 31, the couple's 1-year-old daughter, Aurelia "Miju" Chung-Gerrish, and their 8-year-old Australian shepherd-akita mix, Oski, all were found dead Aug . At a Glance. She has a passion for sharing peoples stories to highlight issues and promote greater understanding. In 2018, he was named SPJ Reporter of the Year in Northern California. Just kind of picking the least obstructed line to the end of the gulch. The purpose of Forest Order No. The trail is overgrown in places with chemise and you had to part the brush to get through in places. Out and back is 10mi and there's a cool viewspot where you can see all three mountains. 17.8 km Overall just a nice walk next to the creek. Learn More. As we headed down the hill we could look up the canyon toward Snyder Ridge and down the canyon towards Hite Cove (also known as Hites Cove). Toxic algae in the area is among hazards being considered by investigators, who have no smoking gun clues pointing to how the family died. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking. . John Gerrish, Ellen Chung, their daughter Miju, 1, and the family's dog Oski were all discovered on the 3-mile long Savage-Lundy Trail in the forest, in an area known as Devil's Gulch near the community of Hites Cove. A California couple and their 1-year-old daughter died from effects of heat stroke and possible dehydration while hiking in nearly 110-degree temperatures in the Sierra National . Theres no obvious indicators of how it occurred . Authorities say a family of three found dead near an area known as Devil's Gulch in Northern California in mid-August probably died of heat illness. The official cause of death still leaves many questions and remains a puzzling outcome for the families, especially as they seem to have succumbed to the heat all at the same time, including the dog. This index is built using observations from everyday people like you noting species in the Natural Atlas app when out on hikes. Investigators had previously ruled out gunshots, any other type of weapon or chemical hazards along the Savage Lundy Trail as potential causes of death, but hadn't not ruled out possible toxins in the areas near the trail prior to determining a cause of death. 20,865 Views. This hike is considered one of the best hikes in the area for wildflowers in the early spring with over 60 varieties of wildflowers growing on the hillsides. Love the Half Dome shot Janet. There were a few down trees we had to crawl over. They were city folks and then completely shifted gears moving to Mariposa for this quieter life, focusing on their daughter.. Mindat.org describes the geology of this area as follows: The district is underlain by graphitic, schist and slate, quartzite, and hornfels. This is a remote area of the forest. We headed out Jerseydale Rd. 32,854' Down The Mariposa County Sheriffs Office also shared the following timeline of recent events and their investigation. He was born and raised in the Bay Area and graduated from UC Davis. News. HITES COVE, Mariposa County Authorities are considering whether a dangerous algae bloom may have killed a young family whose bodies were found here on a hiking trail this week, and friends and investigators are pinning their hopes on a pending toxicology report for answers. Large searches of the area have failed to turn up any sign of the two hikers. A map provided by the Mariposa County Sheriff's Office shows a re-creation of the Gerrish-Chung family's final hours while hiking the Hite Cove and Savage Lundy trails in the Sierra Nevada . . And nice that you were able to make a new friend. Cases like this require us to be methodical and thorough, Briese said, while also reaching out to every resource we can find to help us bring those answers to them as quickly as we can.. 294.0 km There are some mine shafts, but we can't confirm if that's the cause yet.. Friday, Aug. 20: Search warrants issued for the familys home and cars. I hear that when that road is wet, it becomes very slick. Carmen Kohlruss is a features and news reporter for The Fresno Bee. John and Ellen, together with their baby and dog, drove to the start of the trail in their Ford Raptor truck on the afternoon of Sunday, August 15. We also saw plenty of coyote, bobcat and bear scat on the trail. 43,234' Up There's just still so many that we can't rule out. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! They look a little like a Digger Pine, but are very different and pretty scarce. Temperatures were in the 70s when the. The pair also mixed with the burner crowd, people who visit the famous arts and culture festival known as Burning Man in a Nevada desert. Two people taken to a hospital, Devin Nunes cant sue CNN and Jake Tapper over Paul Pelosi comments in Florida. Chronicle staff writer Lauren Hernandez contributed to this report. California snowpack hits highest level this century for March. ", Become a member of StrangeOutdoors for exclusive content, See the latest Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, Read other strange stories from the Sierra National Forest and Yosemite, The Sandra Johnsen Hughes disappearance in Sierra National Forest, The bizarre disappearance of Stacey Arras from Yosemite National Park, The strange disappearance and death of Jeannie Hesselschwerdt in Yosemite National Park, The puzzling disappearance of Max Schweitzer in Yosemite National Park, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-gerrish-2748376/?originalSubdomain=uk, https://www.foxnews.com/us/california-mystery-autopsy-fails-to-reveal-cause-of-death-for-family-and-dog-found-dead-on-hiking-trial, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/poison-algae-on-gold-trail-may-have-killed-family-59vmwjf3q, https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/hites-cove-trail?u=m, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hites_Cove,_California, https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Not-one-clue-The-mystery-is-only-deepening-16401921.php, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9914627/Deaths-husband-wife-baby-treated-homicide.html, http://merced-river.org/HitesCoveTrail.html, https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Unknown-hazards-Yosemite-trail-Calif-family-dead-16429088.php, https://www.facebook.com/SierraNF/posts/3133758160228109, https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article253864053.html?fbclid=IwAR0_Sv0T7TGRIEuytyuph8M5f50VWWgo4skgRuB3YaHIUKjO6JPK31FMNYU, https://kmph.com/news/local/mariposa-county-sheriff-multiple-causes-of-death-ruled-out-in-death-of-california-family, https://people.com/human-interest/cause-of-death-revealed-for-california-family-who-died-on-hiking-trail/, Tagged: The bizarre deaths of the Gerrish family in Devils Gulch, john gerrish death, ellen chung death, gerrish family deaths in sierra national forest, John Gerrish autopsy, Savage lundy trail deaths, Sign Up now for a one-off fee for exclusive access to many articles, The strange disappearance of Daniel Robinson from Buckeye in Arizona, The strange death of Lucas Renoud at the Hrisson waterfalls in the Jura Mountains, The bizarre deaths of the Gerrish family in Devils Gulch, Exclusive members-only articles on StrangeOutdoors.com, gerrish family deaths in sierra national forest, The mysterious disappearance and death of Nicola Bulley in Lancashire, The strange disappearance of the YouTube Survivalist Finn Creaney in the Scottish Highlands, The shocking disappearance of Theresa Ann Bier, The disturbing disappearance of Daylenn Pua from Hawaiis Stairway To Heaven walkway, The puzzling disappearance of ex-paratrooper Gilbert Gilman from Olympic National Park, The Dead man who saved Brandon Day and Gina Allen on Mount San Jacinto, The strange disappearance and death of Geoff Hague in the Great Smoky Mountains, The weird disappearance of Garrett Bardsley from Cuberant Lake in Utah, The bizarre death of Cullen Finnerty in the Michigan wilderness, The puzzling disappearance of Barbara Bolick from the Bitterroot Mountains, The strange disappearance of Mike Hearon from the Great Smoky Mountains, Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) report June 2021, The bizarre disappearance and death of Adrienne Quintal in Michigan, The strange disappearance of Fern Baird from the Prairie Peak Trail in Idaho, The strange deaths of David Horesay and Frederick Hardisty in the Northwest Territories, The disappearance of Steven Kubacki in the Lake Michigan Triangle, The lucky survival story of Chris Staff in the White Mountains - hallucinations, bugs and hunger, Mysterious UFO phenomena begins to be acknowledged officially by the US Military, The mysterious disappearance of Michael Bryson from the Hobo Campground in Oregon.