3 hikers found dead days after jumping into California waterfall

David Matthews, New York Daily News on Jun 23, 2025

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Three hikers were found dead over the weekend days after they jumped into a California waterfall.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office received a report on June 18 that three men had jumped into Rattlesnake Falls, near Soda Springs.

The men did not resurface and a search and rescue mission was launched.

Officials said ground and aerial searches were conducted while the three other men in the hiking group were evacuated from the “remote” area with a “difficult trail” on June 19.

The search was hampered by strong currents and high winds.

The sheriff’s office announced on June 22 that “the bodies of the three men have been recovered,” but their identities were not released.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.

Juan Heredia, a volunteer diver, said in a Facebook post he and another diver found the men late Saturday night and immediately informed the sheriff’s department.

“We couldn’t wait. I knew it could take weeks to surface. Families needed to close this chapter already. What surprised me was the sergeant’s response: ‘We’re going to send a team to walk right now to take care of the bodies.'”

No other details about the incident were released.

Soda Springs is about 26 miles from Lake Tahoe.

Cal Fire, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office dive team and a California Highway Patrol helicopter participated in the search.

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