Tragedy struck earlier this week on the rugged terrain of Bear Mountain, Arizona, as California mom Zaynab Joseph sadly died during a family hike.
The 40-year-old mother plunged 140 feet to her death while trekking with her husband and baby on Monday, as concerned witnesses followed her harrowing cries for help.
Rescue efforts were swift but sadly, Joseph succumbed to her injuries shortly after being discovered by fellow hikers, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
One of the hikers immediately went down the embankment where Joseph was still breathing at the time.
While her husband and child were airlifted to safety, the heartbreaking loss of Joseph has left a community reeling with grief.
The Joseph family, visiting from California, had been enjoying a getaway in Sedona, lodging at an Airbnb. As authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident, loved ones are left grappling with the incomprehensible loss.
In a poignant tribute, a woman identifying herself as the victim's sister shared heartfelt words, describing Joseph as having "a heart of gold."
“No words can describe the pain our families are going through, especially her husband and three young children,” Farwa Zaidi wrote in a Facebook post.
Leila Hassan shared on Facebook that Joseph was “a friend and a sister of my Islamic community.”
“The community is in shock,” she wrote. “Please keep her family in your prayers to get through this tough time.”
With the investigation ongoing, questions linger about the exact circumstances leading to Joseph's fatal fall on what's described as a challenging hike through the untamed wilderness of Bear Mountain.
Bear Mountain has been described by the US Forest Service as a “strenuous hike” because “it’s mostly unshaded, steep and difficult in places.”
The trail in Sedona, listed as "hard" on the AllTrails hiking app, presents a challenge with its approximately 2,000 feet of elevation gain over just over two miles to reach the peak.
Described as rugged by the site, the trail features sections where hikers traverse pure rock with an almost vertical drop, prompting the recommendation to wear shoes with excellent traction.
"It's a rugged trail," the AllTrails site says. "Some sections are on pure rock at an almost vertical drop. Wear shoes with good traction!"
Recent hikers share experiences of rock scrambling and encountering "quite steep" conditions along the trail.
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