By Matt Kawahara
mkawahara@sacbee.com
The Placer County Sheriff's department has found a gold miner reported missing since last Sunday in the Sailor Flat area of Tahoe National Forest.
Gary Davis, 65, of Sacramento, entered the mountainous region at the north fork of the American River on Aug. 20, looking for gold, Sheriff's department spokesman Sgt. Troy Minton-Sander said today.
Davis parked his car at a trailhead and walked into the mountainous area, Minton-Sander said.
He was last seen on Sunday by another hiker, who noticed that Davis didn't have much water or food left, Minton-Sander said.
Davis told the hiker to send help if Davis was not out of the area by Tuesday, Minton-Sander said. Based on that information, Davis' friends contacted the Sheriff's department Thursday, he said.
About 10 search and rescue personnel were dropped into the area by helicopter Friday morning and found Davis at his vehicle, Minton-Sander said.
Davis had climbed out of a canyon and reached his vehicle, but would not have been able to drive himself out of the area because the terrain was too dangerous, Minton-Sander said.
Davis, tired and likely dehydrated, also would not have been able to make the three- to four-hour hike out of the area, Minton-Sander said.
The Sailor Flat area is popular with gold miners and hikers, but requires some planning and experience to navigate, Minton-Sander said.
"You're right up on top of the Sierras and you can get yourself in trouble in a hurry," he said.
Davis had one small gold nugget, Minton-Sander said.
Call The Bee's Matt Kawahara, (916) 321-1015.
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