Off Trail Search 8/22
Search Party — Saturday, August 22
On Saturday, August 22, 2026, we are organizing another search effort to find Angelica, and we are asking for volunteers to join us.
This search is expected to be technical and challenging, with teams working in difficult, off-trail terrain.
📍 Meeting Location & Time
Doane Pond Parking Lot
Palomar Mountain State Park
8:00–8:30 AM
When entering the state park, please let the ranger station know that you are part of the Angelica search group.
Search Areas
We will be concentrating on three primary search areas within Palomar Mountain State Park, located between Myer’s Fire Road and the French Valley Trail.
Please refer to the images accompanying this post for the planned search areas.
⚠️ These searches will be OFF-TRAIL. Expect thick, dense vegetation and challenging terrain.
Please Come Prepared
• Sign in and sign out. This is required so we can account for everyone in the field.
• Never search alone. Bring a buddy or join a designated group.
• Download your offline maps before beginning your search.
• Wear appropriate footwear, long pants, long sleeves and a hat.
• Snake gaiters are strongly recommended.
• There is little to no cell service in the search areas. If you have walkie-talkies, please bring them. We will coordinate a common channel for the search teams.
• Bring a walking stick/trekking pole if you have one.
• Water, electrolytes and snacks will be provided. If you have a hydration pack, please bring it with you.
🛰️ PLEASE RECORD YOUR ENTIRE SEARCH ROUTE
This is extremely important.
Please record your entire search route using GPS and submit your GPX track to our search map — even if you do not find anything.
You can use an Apple Watch, Garmin, or another GPS-enabled tracking device.
Every documented route helps us identify genuine gaps in coverage, understand exactly where we have searched, and avoid duplicating previous efforts.
⚠️ SEARCH SAFELY
Please stay within your personal experience and physical ability.
Do not enter steep ravines, cliffs, remote canyon terrain or other hazardous areas unless you are properly trained and experienced in navigating those environments.
Your safety is extremely important. No search effort is worth putting yourself in unnecessary danger.
🚨 IF YOU FIND SOMETHING
If you locate anything that may be relevant to the search:
DO NOT TOUCH, MOVE OR DISTURB IT.
Instead:
1. Preserve the area as much as possible.
2. Record the exact GPS location.
3. Take photographs from a safe distance, if appropriate.
4. Immediately notify law enforcement and/or the search coordinators.
Every carefully documented search helps us better understand where we still need to look.
We are not giving up.
Please continue to keep Angelica, her family, and everyone involved in the search in your thoughts and prayers.
