61-year-old hiker found dead at base of cliff on trail, officials say

MULTNOMAH COUNTY Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) - The body of a 61-year-old solo hiker was found by authorities at the base of a cliff in Oregon Saturday.

The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call around 10 p.m. Friday after a group of friends reported the hiker hadn’t returned from her planned hike at Oneonta Falls.

Officials said the caller found the hiker’s car still parked in the parking lot at Horsetail Falls Trailhead.

At midnight, the sheriff’s department said a rapid response search and rescue team went out to look for the hiker.

The Gresham Police Department also helped look for the woman, using drones to search the area.

The sheriff’s office said the hiker did not have her cell phone with her, making it impossible to find her location through cell tower pings.

Authorities said additional crews came together Saturday morning to continue the search. By about 10 a.m., more than 50 people were involved with the search, using tracking dogs and drones.

The hiker’s body was found at the bottom of a cliff near Horsetail Falls Trailhead around 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

The medical examiner’s office has taken custody of the hiker’s remains and will determine the official cause of death.

Authorities have not released the identity of the hiker.

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