MINNEISKA, Minn. – Emergency responders spent the night looking in the dark for a woman who died either falling or jumping from a cliff at Latsch State Park. The drop was 100 feet. The woman’s name was not released immediately pending notification of family. In Winona at the time of the 8:45 a.m. daily police news briefing, sheriff’s investigator Mark Dungy said reports from the field were that crews were still trying to retrieve the body. The Winona police dispatcher had taken a call about 7:45 p.m. from another jurisdiction to check on a report that a possibly suicidal woman might be at the park. Apparently the deputies found her car at the trailhead off U.S. Highway 61. They headed up trails, this in a pitch-black cold, windy and drizzly night — three hours after sundown at the winter solstice. The park, which has no electricity, is posted as open only during daylight. At dawn rescue teams were on-site from Winona, Rolllingstone and other agencies.
John Latsch Park
The park is 15 miles north on the Mississippi River from Winona. The 650-acre park offers spectacular panoramas to hikers who scale rough trails to the top. There are only the trails, no roads. Three buffs — Mount Faith, Mount Hope, and Mount Charity – are 500 feet the valley floor. The park is administered by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. It is unstaffed.
DNR promotional photos. Three bluff-top peaks each offer breath-taking views to those who make the 500-foot vertical ascent. Stairs help in places. The park is unstaffed. Administration is out of Whitewater State Park 15 miles away in Elba. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Day use only. No camping.
