Hunter with broken ankle rescued from Capitol Creek Trail

A 54-year-old hunter suffering from a broken ankle was rescued by Mountain Rescue Aspen from Capitol Creek Trail on Friday.

At about 9:48 a.m. on Sept. 19, the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to the hunter, who had sustained a broken ankle while hiking with a group approximately four miles up Capitol Creek Trail.

Pitkin County Sheriff Michael Buglione noted that in certain cases, hunters are more at risk for injuries due to the amount of equipment they’re carrying.

The injured hunter, whose identity is currently being withheld, was unable to descend the trail on their own due to the extent of their injuries.

After receiving the initial emergency page, a team of three Mountain Rescue Aspen members was dispatched at 11:30 a.m. as Flight For Life Colorado was alerted for air support. The air support was chosen based on “the challenging terrain and the subject’s location in a remote section of the trail,” according to a press release.

Pitkin County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy of Operations Parker Lathrop confirmed that the small ground team was dispatched as a backup in case conditions changed that made it difficult for the “air ambulance” to safely access and extract the injured hunter — had that been the case and more ground crew ended up being needed, those three would already be on their way to provide initial support.

The injured hunter was airlifted from the scene by Flight For Life at 12:05 p.m. All teams safely returned to base by 1:30 p.m.

The hunter is reported to be in stable condition, receiving further medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

“This incident serves as a reminder to all hikers and hunters to remain vigilant in rugged terrain and to be aware of potential risks such as loose rocks, unstable footing, and weather conditions,” the press release states. “It is critical to carry sufficient emergency supplies, including a phone with a charged battery, and to know your limits when venturing into the backcountry. Always let someone know your planned route and expected return time.”

While Capitol Creek Trail is a popular and known route, popular trails can pose just as much risk as less well-known trails.

“It’s popular based on its proximity,” Buglione explained. “‘It’s popular’ can mean it’s known but still not commonly used.”

Lathrop added, “(A hike) can be very popular but still very remote. Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean there’s less risk with it. In some cases, a lot of trail use can actually wear down a trail.”