SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST OFFICIALS WANT TO TALK WITH THE FAMILY THAT GOT LOST HIKING THE BEAR WALLOW TRAIL IN THE FOREST LAST WEDNESDAY. LUCKILY, DENISE LEE WAS ABLE TO GET A SIGNAL ON HER CELL PHONE LONG ENOUGH TO CALL FOR HELP. SHE AND HER CHILDREN WERE ALL RESCUED THAT NIGHT BY THE ATALAYA SEARCH AND RESCUE CREW.
BUT THE INCIDENT HAS RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER SIGNAGE ON THE TRAIL IS SUFFICIENT. SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST SPOKESMAN LAWRENCE LUJAN TELLS US IT IS. HE SAYS THE FOREST IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH FOREST SERVICE TRAIL HANDBOOK STANDARDS THAT DICTATE WHERE AND HOW MANY SIGNS ARE POSTED ON HIKING TRAILS.
LUJAN SAYS THEY HIKED THE TRAIL ON THURSDAY AND HAVE TALKED TO THE RESCUE CREW TO DETERMINE WHERE THE FAMILY GOT LOST AND IF MORE SIGNAGE IS NEEDED. FOREST OFFICIALS WILL HIKE UP THE TRAIL AGAIN ON FRIDAY WITH THE FAMILY TO SEE SPECIFICALLY WHERE THEY GOT LOST. LUJAN SAYS THEY EXPECT TO HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON MONDAY.
