Anytime your hikes ending point does not return to the starting point, it may indicate a problem.  When the end point is finally connected to the starting point by way of a rescue helicopter; it is definitely a problem. 

The hike to McPherson peak was a relative simple 10 mile day hike.  Going up and back the same trail can be boring.  Therefore, we intended to go up one hiking trail (27W02), and return using a different trail (27W01). In our case, what we thought was the return trail,  (it was clearly marked on an official map), had been abandoned for years and was no longer in use.  We followed the old trail until we lost it in the heavy bush. We attempted to cut across the slope to pick it up again, not realizing it no longer existed. 

The result was we ended up spending the night on the mountain in near freezing temps, with light clothing and no fire.  Our families call the authorities and two ground search parties and a helicopter began the search.  The helicopter stopped searching around midnight due to snow at the altitude he was flying.  We were located by a ground party at 8:00 AM the next morning and winched up out of the heavy brush by the helicopter soon afterwards.  Many thanks to the true professionals of the Santa Barbara Search & Rescue Team. 

I flew on a lot of helicopters in Vietnam, but this was the 1st time I was ever winched aboard one.  I guess the return trip was not boring after all.  LOL

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