The Seven Teacups trail in the Sierra Nevada where three friends tragically lost their lives trying to save one another last week is known for its stunning views, including a series of descending pools and waterfalls that give the trail its name.
But the water that contributed to its beauty also could make the trail risky — even deadly.
Tulare County fire officials responded to a report of a drowning at the trail near Johnsondale around 5:20 p.m. Friday and discovered three people dead at the scene, according to local media reports.
The three victims — identified as Utah residents David Bell, 48, Jeannine Skinner, 34, and Peter On, 48 — were part of a group of 13 who had gone hiking and climbing through the canyons (“canyoneering”). They were approaching the end of the trail when tragedy struck.
The Seven Teacups trail spans about 4 miles and follows Dry Meadow Creek. The trail goes through a rock canyon that contains “teacups,” or pools, before ending along the Kern River.
Reviewers describe the trail as hot, hard and technical, meaning it can’t be traversed just on foot — you’ll need to know how to use ropes to rappel down some parts of the canyon or to climb back up. Yet “the technical descent is relatively short and, because the terrain is relatively forgiving with short jumps and multiple escape points, this canyon makes for a perfect practice ground before attempting longer and more difficult Class C Sierra canyons,” according to the climbing site Ropewiki.
The American Canyoneering Assn. rates the Seven Teacups as Class 3C, meaning that it requires intermediate technical skills and that it has flowing water with strong currents. It takes about a full day to complete.
An AllTrails review posted Aug. 26 details the potential dangers hikers face on the Seven Teacups trail. The reviewer noted that they completed the hike unaware that three people had drowned there the day before.
“Many pools are bowls with walls of smooth rock that provide no purchase,” according to the review. “Use a stick, an arm or leg to try and assess currents. These circular pools form due to circular currents. Look for bubbles and how they move below the surface. If you can’t see the bottom, be extra careful.”
David Bell’s sister, Cyndi Bell Miller, wrote on Facebook that Skinner was rappelling into a pool when she got caught in a whirlpool. On and Bell both jumped in to try to rescue her, but they got caught as well.
Tragically, all three drowned in the process.
“They were able to get their bodies out in about seven minutes and they did CPR on them immediately and kept doing CPR for about 20 minutes but they were not able to revive any of them,” Miller wrote.
Family members and loved ones of the three friends have also posted about the victims online.
“Pete’s love for the outdoors was infectious — surfing, canyoneering, skiing, volleyball, soccer, and golfing were just a few of the activities that filled his active life,” according to his online obituary. “But more than his adventures, it was his love for family and friends that defined him. Pete cherished his relationships, always putting those he cared about first.”
According to a GoFundMe page created to cover Skinner’s funeral costs, Skinner loved to be outdoors.
“She was always the first to intervene on behalf of others and establish peace in the face of conflict,” according to the page. “Perhaps it was the sparkle in her eye, or her natural smile that brought the best out of everyone. She will leave a void in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.”
Bell was the co-founder of the nonprofit Harrington Center for the Arts. The organization posted a tribute to Bell on social media after finding out about his passing.
“David brought joy to hundreds of thousands of runners through the races he organized at his company, Runtastic Events, and through the events at Harrington Center for the Arts,” the post said. “His unmatched creativity shaped every detail, knowing that his work was providing lasting memories for families and unforgettable moments of creativity and triumph as individuals reached new heights.”
Mojave (Nev.) head football coach Wes Pacheco announced on Sunday morning that he’s stepping down from his position, according to a social media post.
Pacheco announced his resignation after six seasons at the helm of the Rattlers, putting together a 29-22 overall record from 2020-2025.
“I have officially stepped down as Head Coach of the Mojave Football Program,” Pacheco said in his social media post. “Thank you to Principal Cole for giving me the opoortunity make an impact on the lives of Mojave Student-Athletes. I am grateful and blessed to have labored through a 6-year journey of successes, failures, life lessons, character building and growth with the student-athletes myself and my coaching staff have served. I will forever love my Mojave Family, the Mojave Community and believe in the notion that SUCCESS can be attained by showcasing character, treating everyone with respect, and always have the courage to dream big and trust that “ATTACKING THE HARD WORK” & “HIGH MOTORING EVERYTHING” can yield SUCCESS that you want to achieve in life!”
During Pacheco’s half dozen seasons leading Mojave, his best record came in the 2024 season when the Rattlers finished with a 12-1 record. Located out of North Las Vegas, Mojave had to compete against the likes of national high school football powerhouse Bishop Gorman during the regular season.
Mojave ended the last season with a 4-6 record and as the state’s No. 23rd ranked team, according to the final 2025 Nevada High School Football Massey Rankings.
Mojave High School, located in North Las Vegas, NV, is a dynamic public high school that fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and community involvement. Home of the Rattlers, MHS offers a wide range of academic programs, athletics, and extracurricular activities. With a strong commitment to student success, Mojave emphasizes leadership, college and career readiness, and a supportive school culture that prepares students for life beyond graduation.
For Nevada high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Silver State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across Nevada.
A recent Review-Journal letter to the editor mischaracterized Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s Southern Nevada Economic Development and Conservation Act, also known as the Clark County Lands bill. As the former executive director of the Nevada Conservation League, I wholeheartedly support this legislation, so I wanted to set the record straight.
Sen. Cortez Masto has been working on this bill for years in partnership with state and local governments, conservation groups like the NCL and local area tribes. It’s true that the Clark County lands bill would open 25,000 acres to help Las Vegas grow responsibly, while setting aside 2 million acres for conservation. It would also help create more affordable housing throughout the valley while ensuring our treasured public spaces can be preserved for generations to come.
What is not correct is that the money from these land sales would go to the federal government’s coffers. In fact, the opposite is true.
The 1998 Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act is a landmark bill that identified specific public land for future sale and created a special account ensuring all land sale revenues would come back to Nevada. In accordance with that law 5 percent of revenue from land transfers goes to the state of Nevada for general education purposes, 10 percent goes to the Southern Nevada Water Authority for needed water infrastructure and 85 percent supports conservation and environmental mitigation projects in Southern Nevada. This legislation has provided billions to Clark County and will continue to benefit generations of Southern Nevadans. Sen. Cortez Masto’s lands bill builds upon the act’s success.
So here’s the good news: All of the money generated from land made available for sale under Sen. Cortez Masto’s bill would be sent to the special account created by the 1998 law. Rather than going to an unaccountable federal government, the proceeds would continue to help kids in Vegas get a better education, bolster outdoor recreation and modernize Southern Nevada’s infrastructure.
I know how important it is that money generated from the sale of public land in Nevada stay in the hands of Nevadans, and so does the senator. That’s why she opposed a Republican effort last year to sell off 200,000 acres of land in Clark County and other areas of the country that would have sent those dollars directly to Washington.
Public land management in Nevada should benefit Nevadans. We should protect sacred cultural sites and beloved recreation spaces, responsibly transfer land for affordable housing when needed and ensure our state has the resources it needs to grow sustainably. I will continue working with Sen. Cortez Masto to advocate for legislation, such as the Clark County lands bill, that puts the needs of Nevadans first.
Paul Selberg writes from Las Vegas.
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Las Vegas High’s baseball team claimed a 3-2 home win over Coronado on Friday.
Las Vegas (9-13-1) next hosts Rancho at 10 a.m. Saturday. Coronado (13-14) hosts Chaparral at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.
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