UPDATE: MARION COUNTY, Oregon (KGW) — Search and rescue teams have found a 68-year-old man who went missing in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness earlier this week, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Rescuers found John Nelson around 8:42 p.m. on Thursday, the agency said. He was located alive about 5 miles from Russell Lake, where he had camped, in a deep drainage near the South Breitenbush Trail. That trail has been closed since the historic 2020 wildfires, according to the sheriff’s office. Rescuers had difficulty reaching Nelson due to downed trees and burned timber in the area.
Search and rescue volunteers with the sheriff’s office, along with the Benton County Search and Rescue team, stayed with Nelson overnight, as he was unable to hike out due to his condition and the rugged terrain.
Around 11 a.m. on Friday, an Oregon Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopter transported Nelson to a nearby landing zone where he was medically evaluated before reuniting with his family and returning home, the sheriff’s office said.
Nelson had been missing since Tuesday. He and a longtime hiking partner began their trip from the Whitewater Trailhead on Monday and camped overnight at Russell Lake. Nelson left the lake alone around 7:15 a.m. the next day. A family friend reported him missing around noon that day after he didn’t return home.
Nelson, a retired medical doctor, had previous hiking experience, including summiting Mount Jefferson around 20 years ago.
“This incident is a reminder of how quickly conditions can change in remote wilderness areas,” said Sgt. Garrett Olson with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. “Whenever you’re hiking or camping, stay with your hiking partner, let someone know your plans, and carry a GPS communication device or emergency beacon capable of sending an emergency notification. Those simple steps can make a significant difference during a rescue.”
More than 100 search and rescue volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service helped in the effort, as well as the Willamette Valley First Responder Chaplains who supported the responders, the sheriff’s office said.
“This outcome is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and perseverance of our Search and Rescue volunteers and our many partner agencies,” said Sheriff Nicholas Hunter. “For days, these teams worked tirelessly in incredibly difficult terrain with one shared goal — to bring John home safely. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment, and we’re thankful this search ended with a successful rescue.”
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team is searching for 68-year-old John D. Nelson, a retired medical doctor, who was reported overdue last Tuesday after a hiking trip in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.
Nelson and his longtime hiking partner of more than 40 years began their trip last Monday, July 6, 2026, from the Whitewater Trailhead. They camped overnight at Russell Lake. Nelson left Russell Lake alone at approximately 7:15 a.m. last Tuesday, July 7. He was reported overdue at approximately 12:00 p.m. that day when he failed to return as expected.
Nelson is described as six feet, 1 inch tall and weighing approximately 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light blue button-down shirt, a blue jacket, blue jeans and athletic shoes. He was also carrying a light blue day pack.
Search efforts have continued each day in the rugged wilderness surrounding Russell Lake and nearby trail systems. Resources deployed include multiple ground search teams and numerous air assets. A Black Hawk helicopter from the Oregon Army National Guard is among the air assets assisting in the search.
