MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. — Rescue crews in Oregon have found a 71-year-old hiker who was reported missing Saturday after he told his wife that he had gotten lost in the Columbia River Gorge, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office.

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Rescuers found Joseph “Joe” Dean conscious and breathing Monday morning near Rock of Ages Ridge in the Horsetail Falls trail system, officials said. He was carried down in a wheeled basket and reunited with his family around 11 a.m. local time. Sheriff’s deputies said he has since been taken to a hospital for further evaluation of his condition.

Officials began searching for Dean on Saturday night, after they received a report of an overdue hiker. Authorities said the 71-year-old sent a text message to his wife that day telling her that he had gotten lost somewhere on the Rock of Ages trail. Sheriff’s deputies noted that the trail is not maintained and has been closed since the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire.

Officials with several groups, including the Washington County, Clackamas County and Hood River County sheriff’s offices, helped search for Dean using ground crews, a drone and a plane, according to MCSO. Authorities announced he had been found around 10 a.m. Monday.

Cox Media Group