Local News in Brief : Missing Hiker Found on Ledge After Fall

A hiker who had been missing for more than a day in Angeles National Forest was found about 30 miles north of La Canada Flintridge stranded on a steep ledge, where he had fallen and hit his head, authorities said.

Dean Bacon, 29, of West Los Angeles had set out about 2:30 p.m. Friday on a hike with his girlfriend, Sylvia Giraldo, 23, also of West Los Angeles, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Kathryn Nielsen.

The two had only walked a short distance when they stopped and Bacon decided to walk a little farther alone, Nielsen said. When Bacon did not return after about three hours, Giraldo drove to Crescenta Valley Sheriffs’ Station and reported him missing, Nielsen said.

A search team of about 14 deputies began looking for Bacon about 11 p.m. Friday and continued through the night. Deputies aboard a helicopter spotted Bacon stranded on a ledge in the center of Devils Canyon about 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nielsen said.

A helicopter made a one-wheel landing because of the steep terrain and took Bacon to Arcadia Methodist Hospital, where he was treated for a sprained ankle, a head wound and cuts on his back and legs. He was released Saturday night, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Deputies said they believe Bacon climbed a peak, then, when it grew dark, sat down to plot his next move. When he moved from that spot, he slipped and fell about 20 feet, hitting his head, Nielsen said. He told deputies he did not remember climbing the peak.

Nielsen said Bacon was lucky because the overnight temperature in the forest, warmed by Santa Ana winds, was about 60 degrees, milder than it had been all week.