On Thursday, September 2, 2004 at about 2200 hours, Tuolumne Meadows Ranger S. Francis received a report from the Merced Lake High Sierra Camp (HSC) Manager of an overdue party.

According to the report, a family a five was due into Sunrise HSC that night but had not arrived. The family included four children ages five through twelve and one adult, the father. The family was hiking the high Sierra loop from Tuolumne Meadows to several High Sierra Camps. The father had worked in the area previously and had spoken of taking the "Jane Mansfield" Cutoff on his way to Sunrise HSC.

At 1000 hours on Friday, September 3, an investigation was initiated attempting to locate the family at the Merced Lake HSC and Sunrise HSC. Rangers attempted to locate the associated vehicle.

Park resources in the area of the Merced Lake HSC and Sunrise HSC were notified and asked to contact hikers in the area. All lodging and campgrounds in Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows areas was checked. Little Yosemite Valley Rangers were notified as well.

HSC employees with intimate knowledge of the cutoffs between Sunrise and Merced HSC hiked the trails and were unable to locate the overdue family in the "Jane Mansfild" Cutoff area.

At about 1300 hours the family still had not been located. Trail blocks were established on the Sunrise Creek Trailhead and the John Muir Trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows as well as in Little Yosemite Valley and Merced Lake. Flyers were posted at Happy Isles to urge the party to call NPS. Park personnel received conflicting reports about the party's equipment, clothing, food, and attitude from hikers who spoke with and saw the party at Merced Lake HSC.

Because of approaching darkness and the possibility of losing access to the Park's contract helicopter, H-551, a reconnaissance flight was ordered for the "Jane Mansfiled" Cutoff area.

At about 1600 hours the crew aboard H-551 located the family just above the "Jane Mansfield" Cutoff. The family was uninjured but tired, and were able to make it to Sunrise HSC that evening. The father of the family stated that he had become disoriented while hiking the cutoff and had spent the night out.

• Cost:   approx. $5,500
• Rescuers Involved: approx. 25
• Aircraft used: 1 helicopter
• Persons Rescued: 5
• Duration of Rescue: 2 days