SISTERS, Ore. -- Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies who responded to yet another lost hiker west of Sisters Monday evening had some familiar advice for those in similar situations, most importantly: If in a group, stay together.

A Clatskanie, Ore., couple, John and Janine Salisbury, their son Justin and a family friend had gone for a planned 8-mile hike to the summit of Black Crater, located north of the Three Sisters and east of McKenzie Pass, said sheriff’s Sgt. Dan Bilyeu.

After reaching the summit, Janine Salisbury became concerned about the storm clouds forming in the area and decided to head back ahead of the rest of the party, Bilyeu said.

However, on her way back to the trailhead, she apparently left the trail to walk around a patch of snow and became lost, he said.

After returning to the trailhead and their car, John Salisbury realized Janine had not returned, Bilyeu said. After about 40 minutes, he began flagging down passing motorists for assistance.

John Salisbury had a cell phone, but service was unreliable in the area, and calls to 911 dispatchers kept dropping, the sergeant said.

After the call came in around 5 p.m., sheriff’s patrol deputies responded to the area. About an hour later, they found Janine Salisbury on Highway 242 (the McKenzie Pass Highway), about seven miles east of the Black Crater Trailhead, Bilyeu said.

She was unhurt, in good condition, and reunited with her family and friends, Bilyeu said, adding that Search and Rescue crews had not been dispatched at the time she was found.

In a news release, Bilyeu urged everyone to plan and prepare for every outing.

“Pay attention to the current weather and forecast,” he wrote, “but remember weather in Central Oregon, particularly in the mountain regions, weather can be unpredictable and change rapidly.”

“Prepare for the worst possible situation by taking enough water, food, clothing and supplies that would make an overnight stay possible, or at least more comfortable, if it came to that,” Bilyeu added.

“Know the area you plan to visit, be familiar with map, compass and/or GPS use,” he said, adding, “When participating in a group outing, STAY TOGETHER!”