A 51 year-old Texas woman who was reported missing around noon on Thursday, April 24 returned home after becoming lost on a short hike and walking approximately six miles to a state highway where she was picked up by a motorist.

The Sheriff's Office received a call at approximately noon from the woman's husband who reported that they were on a short hike behind their residence on County Road 4351 near Low Gap Springs and she wanted to return to their cabin and make lunch.

The husband reported that she had been gone approximately two hours before he called 911 to report her missing.

Personnel from the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, Office Of Emergency Management Search and Rescue (SAR) and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office K-9 teams responded.

A command post was established near the residence and a perimeter was set up where searchers on foot and all terrain vehicles searched an approximate 1-mile radius.  The Sheriff's Office K-9's picked up the scent of the woman and followed it to a steep bluff area.

At approximately 2:00 p.m. a storm with heavy fog halted the search for approximately 45 minutes.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. a second storm with strong winds, rain and hail halted the search a second time. 

At approximately 5:00 p.m. the foot search was called off because of foggy conditions but units kept up the perimeter search on vehicles and ATV's.

At 6:18 p.m. the husband called and reported that she had returned home.  Upon speaking with her, it was determined that she became lost on her trip back to the residence and had went down the bluff where the K-9 units indicated.  When she reached the creek she traveled both directions, eventually heading northeast and coming out on State Highway 21, approximately six miles from her residence 8 hours later.

She caught a ride in a vehicle back to her residence and she declined any medical treatment.