Lost Hiker Survives 10 Days in Santa Cruz Mountains: ‘An Awesome Experience’

Photo: Gear Junkie (SLV Steve)

Lukas McClish had been lost in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California for 10 days before being rescued on June 20. When the 34-year-old hiker finally emerged from the woods, he was shirtless, scruffy, and on the brink of malnutrition. He had been surviving on berries and creek water, sleeping on damp beds of leaves, and shouting for help as he searched for a way out.

McClish had set out on June 11, expecting the hike to take just 3 hours. He told local news station KSBW that he was on his way to work. Familiar with the area and having hiked the trail before, he didn't inform anyone of his plans. He started with only his boots, pants, a folding multitool, and a flashlight.

On June 16, when he failed to appear for a Father’s Day dinner, his parents reported him missing, initiating an official search. By that time, McClish had been craving a burrito bowl for five days.

Reflecting on his situation, he said, “I started to kind of realize that I might be in over my head.”

The area where McClish got lost is at the north end of the San Lorenzo Valley, characterized by dense pine forests, intricate networks of trails for both humans and wildlife, as well as canyons, creeks, and waterfalls. In recent years, several wildfires have devastated the region. According to ABC7 Los Angeles, McClish mentioned that familiar landmarks had been erased, making navigation difficult.

Eventually, he strayed far from his intended path and became lost. As days went by, he continued to wander, focusing on finding water and food.

“So I kind of just hiked each day. I’d go up a canyon, down a canyon to the next waterfall, sit down by the waterfall, and drink water out of my boot” McClish said. He consumed about a gallon of water daily and ate wild berries whenever he could find them.

At one point, McClish recounted to reporters that a mountain lion had trailed him for a period. However, he mentioned that the lion never showed any signs of aggression, and he never felt endangered by its presence.

"It was cool," he shared with KSBW. "It kept its distance. I think it was just somebody watching over me."

Photo: Gear Junkie (SLV Steve)

On Thursday, June 20, witnesses reported hearing someone screaming for help. First responders from the Boulder Creek Fire Department deployed drones to search the area. They spotted McClish, and the department's K-9 unit tracked him down, guiding rescuers directly to the stranded hiker. His voice was hoarse, and he was sore, but he emerged from the mountains uninjured.

Local law enforcement officers, the Boulder Creek Volunteer Fire Department, the sheriff’s office, state parks, and CAL FIRE all contributed to the search efforts. The McClish family expressed gratitude to everyone involved, and Lukas’ parents are relieved to have their son back home.

All three of them agreed they’ve had their fill of hiking for the year.

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stash member Liam Van Sickle