Unfortunate hikers encounters hallucinogenic high due to magic mushrooms, necessitating rescue in New York's wilderness

Four individuals stranded in the Slide Mountain Wilderness, located about 20 miles west of Woodstock, were successfully rescued by wildlife preservation officials and local firefighters. The hikers, who reportedly indulged in magic mushrooms, were experiencing a "severely impairing state." This...

, and Administrator

2025 September 13 . 6:02 PM

1 min read

Stranded hikers in New York wilderness overcome by hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin mushrooms... — Stranded hikers in New York wilderness overcome by hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin mushrooms successfully retrieved

Unfortunate hikers encounters hallucinogenic high due to magic mushrooms, necessitating rescue in New York's wilderness

In the heart of New York's picturesque wilderness, four hikers found themselves in a precarious situation on August 29, 2024. The group, who had ventured into the Slide Mountain Wilderness, approximately 20 miles west of Woodstock, had consumed psilocybin mushrooms, better known as magic mushrooms or shrooms.

These naturally occurring hallucinogens are renowned for causing shifts in a person's perception of reality. Upon consumption, individuals may see colours, shapes, or scenes; hear things that aren't real; or lose their sense of time and space. In this case, the hikers were suffering from a debilitating high, with one of them experiencing a particularly severe condition.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers and local firefighters were swiftly mobilised to mount a rescue operation. The hikers were escorted to the trailhead, where they were evaluated by Shandaken Ambulance. The agency, which completed 362 search and rescue missions in all of 2024, played a crucial role in the operation.

Officials provided a courtesy ride to the group's rental lodging after the rescue. An image of a man in a white hoodie being held up by two rangers was released by the agency, offering a glimpse into the rescue effort.

Interestingly, the original caller had admitted that the group had consumed mushrooms. Despite the unusual circumstances, the search results do not contain any information about the four hikers rescued on August 29 in Slide Mountain Wilderness after poisoning themselves with magic mushrooms.

As of July 1, 2025, the agency had conducted 139 search and rescue missions, underscoring the importance of their work in ensuring the safety of those who venture into the wilderness. The incident serves as a reminder to always be prepared and aware when embarking on outdoor adventures.