Four hikers in their 20s found themselves disoriented and stranded in the rugged terrain of New York’s Catskill Mountains after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms. The group sent an emergency satellite text at around 5 p.m. on August 29, reporting that one member was incapacitated by an overwhelming high.
Forest rangers, assisted by the Pine Hill Fire Department and local EMS, located the group by 6:45 p.m. near Giant Ledge—a steep, cliff-lined trail area within the Slide Mountain Wilderness. Teams guided the hikers safely back to the trailhead, where they received medical evaluation. None required hospital transport.
The hikers had also lost their car keys during the ordeal. Rangers later returned to the trail to retrieve the items—a sling bag—found hidden beneath ferns.
Authorities praised the rangers’ rapid response and dedication, especially given the challenging landscape and busy Labor Day weekend. The incident echoes an earlier summer case in the Adirondacks where hikers, under the influence of similar substances, mistakenly believed a group member had died—fortunately, everyone was eventually found safe.