Caroline Meister, 30, is a hiker who went missing on Monday, March 18, 2024 after leaving the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Carmel Valley, California for a short hike. The last time she was seen, she was wearing teal boots and a blue bag, and had long brown wavy hair that was likely done up. She was also said to have been carrying snacks, but was not dressed or equipped for an overnight stay.
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team, Drone Team, and California Highway Patrol Helicopter have been working together to find her. Her family says she is an experienced hiker and is familiar with the area, and they are hopeful.
Hikers who may have seen Meister hiking the area are asked to contact deputies at (831) 755-5111, and are also asked to keep an eye out for her.
DC: Appears she intended to take the Horse Pasture Trail or go to the Wind Caves.
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A 30-year-old woman has been missing for three days after she left a Carmel Valley Zen center to go hiking. Caroline Meister left Tassajara Zen Mountain Center at 10 a.m. Monday to go a short day hike, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said.
The Zen center is nestled within Ventana Wilderness about 10 miles south-east of Big Sur, at 39171 Tassajara Road in Carmel Valley.
“She stated she was going to hike a trail that loops back around to the Zen Center. There was also mention of hiking the Windcave Trail. She was only carrying snacks for the day and was not dressed or equipped for an overnight stay,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote.
The woman never returned, and she was reported missing to MCSO just before 11:30 p.m. Monday. Meister is described as white, weighs 150 pounds, and has long brown wavy hair. She was last seen wearing teal boots and carrying a blue bag.