A Eugene woman lost for three days in the Eagle Cap Wilderness was found Sunday afternoon by the Oregon National Guard.

According to Wallowa County Sheriff Steve Rogers, Glenda Smith, 67, was staying at Red’s Horse Ranch on the Minam River, owned by the U.S. Forest Service. Members of her party had flown in their gear packed in by horses and mules.

On Thursday, Smith and a friend went for a hike from Red’s down a nearby trail. According to Rogers, Smith’s companion turned around to go back to Red’s while Smith continued to hike.

By Friday morning Smith had not returned to Red’s. Rogers said his county’s search and rescue team was dispatched to the wilderness to find her.

Search teams from Union, Baker and Wheeler counties supported Wallowa County Search and Rescue as well as two National Guard helicopters based in Salem.

From Thursday afternoon to Sunday afternoon search teams looked for Smith on foot, horseback and with dogs. Rogers said the search method is slow and methodical, given the thoroughness of each acre searched and the steep terrain.

“Each team searches a block circled on a map using highly technical GPS units they can use to text coordinates to each other and the communications team,” Rogers said.

Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office set up a mobile repeater at Rock Springs east of Imbler, to facilitate communications and Rogers said Wallowa County Search and Rescue members were also working out of their communication trailer at the sheriff’s office.

Around 3 p.m. Sunday a National Guard helicopter found Smith off the trail where she was last seen on the Little Minam River. Rogers said she was a little more than four miles by trail from Red’s.

As of Sunday evening, Rogers said there was no explanation as to why Smith did not return to Red’s on her own Thursday, but was reportedly uninjured.

Teams from Multnomah and Washington counties were also called to aid in the search, but Smith was found before they arrived.