That would not lead them back to the truck.
That’s right and there’s nothing we’ve been told that indicates JG and EC even considered hiking toward 140 although it is known that it’s downstream, no elevation gain, (as has been mentioned before) versus Savage Lundy that sounds undesirable here:
Hiking on the Savage Lundy Trail | Sierra News Online
- would not want to do this hike on a warm day
- not for everyone
- overgrown in places with chemise
- had to part the brush to get through in places
- poison oak
- ticks
- gnats were out
- SNAKEY
- saw plenty of coyote, bobcat and bear scat on the trail
One way to understand is they wandered down a familiar sounding trail, hiked into heat they didn’t anticipate, sorta stumbled across Savage Lundy trail which they knew nothing about and hiked up 2 mi (1000’ elevation gain) until unfortunately they were both overcome with heat stroke. That is a possible explanation IMO. The trail did go to the same trailhead.
The sheriff is investigating, thoroughly JMO. I continue to hope we will have answers. But more than that I hope something will bring peace to the family, friends and community and shine a light on awareness of the hazards of hiking in extreme temperatures.