A 56-year-old female hiker died on the Colorado Trail after a tree fell on her tent late Monday.
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a post to social media around 1:45 p.m. Tuesday that the incident occurred just under Grizzly Peak, northwest of Engineer Mountain.
“This a shockingly stark reminder that no matter how safe your actions, the mountains are inherently dangerous,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote. “Please be safe out there.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, three female hikers had a tree fall on their tent late Monday night.
Beth Skelley of Lafayette died as a result of her injuries. Her two companions were unharmed.
Search and rescue crews from San Juan and La Plata counties responded to the scene Monday night, and a Flight for Life helicopter was called for support. Attempts to revive Skelley were unsuccessful. Search and rescue crews transported her out of the area Tuesday.
Attempts to reach the Sheriff’s Office were unsuccessful Tuesday afternoon.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
