Deputies and West Valley Search & Rescue Team respond to assist in the search for a lost hiker & his 15-year-old son 
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 / 6:16 a.m.
INCIDENT: Search and Rescue
LOCATION: Mount Baldy
INVOLVED PARTIES: Steven Honjio, 56-year-old resident of Sunland
Tyler Honjio, 15-year-old resident of Sunland
SUMMARY: On the morning of Tuesday, July 11, 2017, Steven Honjio and his son Tyler Honjio left Manker Flats for a day hike in the Mount Baldy area.
The subjects reached the summit in the early afternoon then started their descent. They mistakenly left the main trail and entered Goode Canyon. They tried to find their way off the mountain, but had to stop when the sun set. They woke up early on Wednesday morning and continued to hike down the steep and difficult terrain.
When Steven and Tyler did not return home on the evening of July 11th, family members became concerned. They tried to contact them by phone and were unable to reach them.
On July 12, 2017, the Honjio family called the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Sandoval responded and located the subject’s vehicle in the parking area, then requested the department’s helicopter to assist looking for the subjects. The helicopter crew (Deputies Quezada and Kowalski) responded and flew over the area, but were unable to locate the hikers.
Deputy Thorp and the West Valley Search & Rescue Team were contacted and responded to assist in the search for the Honjio’s. Team members E. Spaeth and S. Leissing arrived and prepared to be flown up to the summit. Before the team members were inserted into the Mount Baldy area, a local resident contacted Thorp. The resident informed him two hikers just walked out of Goode Canyon and were at his residence. After both subjects were medically evaluated and provided water, they were transported back to their vehicle.
The West Valley Search & Rescue team and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind all hikers to have the appropriate clothing, food, water, gear and the 10 essentials when hiking in the wilderness.
Refer: Deputy J. Thorp
Station: Fontana
Phone No. 909-356-6767
Case No. 031701983
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Address/Location
SBSD - Fontana Sheriff's Department
17780 Arrow Blvd
Fontana, CA 92335
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
