88-year-old man rescued after 30-foot fall near Caribou River

An 88-year-old man survived a 30-foot fall near the Caribou River after Lake County rescuers used ropes to reach him on the steep trail corridor off Minnesota’s North Shore.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the call came in just after 1 p.m. Sunday for a man who had fallen about 30 feet down toward the river off the Caribou River Trail. When rescuers got to him, he was reportedly hanging onto a tree over the river, a precarious position that turned a hiking emergency into a technical rescue.

Lake County Rescue carried out the recovery with ropes, bringing the man back from the embankment without serious injury. He had cuts and scrapes, but authorities said he was expected to be okay. The response showed the role of specialized backcountry crews in Lake County, where rough terrain, deep ravines and fast-moving water can quickly complicate even a routine outing.

The Caribou River Trail is part of the Superior Hiking Trail system, which stretches more than 300 miles along Minnesota’s North Shore. The trail’s steep grades and dramatic gorge scenery draw hikers, but they also create real risk near exposed cliffs, river drops and uneven footing, especially in places where a stumble can send someone far below the trail line.

The area has seen tragedy before. In September 2020, 29-year-old Daniel Allman of Rochester fell about 100 feet from a cliff into the Caribou River and died despite rescue efforts. That fatal fall, along with Sunday’s emergency, underscores how quickly the terrain around Caribou River can turn dangerous.

The Lake County Rescue Squad says it exists to assist the sheriff with search-and-rescue calls and to respond to water and other emergencies. Sunday’s operation fit that mission exactly, with rope work, steep-ground access and a rapid handoff between local responders. For Lake County, the rescue was a reminder that the North Shore’s most scenic trail stretches can also demand the fastest and most technical public-safety response.