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.”

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will not be on the general election ballot in Nevada despite missing the withdrawal deadline.

FOX5 obtained a court order from the Nevada Secretary of State’s office. RFK Jr. and Nicole Shanahan submitted the signatures needed to appear in the Nov. 2024 general election.

Last week, the independent presidential candidate dropped out of the race and endorsed GOP candidate Donald Trump.

The Nevada Secretary of State’s Office says the last day for a presidential candidate to withdraw from the race is seven days after the deadline to file, excluding holidays and weekends, which was Aug. 9.

The deadline for Kennedy to withdraw would have been before Aug. 20.

On Tuesday, an order of dismissal was filed. It states that the candidate’s names will not appear on the November ballot.

The case is also permanently dismissed.

The filing was signed by former Carson City District Court Judge William Maddox.

Copyright 2024 KVVU. All rights reserved.

The U.S. Postal Service announced Tuesday that it’s scrapping plans to move its Northern Nevada outgoing mail processing operations from Reno to Sacramento, California, easing concerns that such a move could delay mail — including mailed election ballots.

Instead, the agency is using a previously-allocated up to $13.4 million to modernize the postal office, which operations would’ve shrunk under the original proposal.

Changes are subject to approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission, which will next meet next month.

“This decision has been made possible due to the identification of enhanced efficiencies in proposed operational improvements, along with related refinements within the existing service standards,” according to a news release.

The announcement follows months of bipartisan lobbying from Nevada lawmakers, who on Tuesday expressed relief.

Gov. Joe Lombardo called it a “huge bipartisan victory” for the state.

The Republican governor said he was grateful to work with Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto and Rep. Mark Amodei to protect “Nevadans from misguided D.C. bureaucracy.”

Rosen, D-Nevada, led a congressional effort to reverse the unpopular decision.

“The announcement that this widely opposed transfer of local mail processing operations will no longer happen is a huge win for our seniors, veterans, and every person in Northern Nevada who depends on timely mail delivery,” said Rosen in a release. “I will always stand up to Washington on behalf of Nevada and make sure our voices are heard.”

In a statement, Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, classified the shift as “a win for our postal workers and all of our families in Northern Nevada.”

Rep. Mark Amodei added in a social media post: “I will continue to keep a close eye on the Reno Processing and Distribution Center to ensure the continuity of its operations and have requested a briefing with the Postal Service to ensure a strong oversight presence remains.”

The controversial plan to reroute mail through California alarmed lawmakers who expressed concern that the move would’ve delayed important mail to residents, including prescriptions and voting materials.

They painted a scenario in which mail-in ballots would get sent across the state line, and inclement weather in the fall and winter would delay their return to Nevada.

The scrapped proposal would’ve began next year, and the postal service originally projected “staffing impacts.”

Under the investment, the Reno office will transform into a local processing center for Northern Nevada, which will “handle mailing and shipping of packages, manual letters, and flats,” according to the postal service.

Furthermore, this could lead to “future need for additional staffing support.”

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.