Ok, went to the MD website. Their estimated cost per hour is $345.73 based on 2005 fuel costs and 2007 labor rates, for an MD520n. I don't think the cost of the EMT's or the firefighters can be added, as they are being paid regardless. The cost of the fuel needed for the trucks and ambulances can be added as well as expendables [ bandages, splints, cold packs, etc.]. I think we can safely estimate the cost per rescue at $500.00 per hour.
The average rescue time is what, 2 hours? There are an average of two rescues per week, for a total of $2,000.00 per week.
That's an average of $104,000.00 per year of taxpayer dollars, to support irresponsible people hiking on an "illegal" trail.
I don't feel too good about my tax dollars being spent to "save" people doing something they know they shouldn't be doing in the first place.
Imagine how nice the range could be if those monies were spent there, in support of responsible people, exercising their 2nd amendment rights in a responsible fashion, legally. Rather than on rescuing people that are knowingly breaking the law.
I guess we'll just have to wait for someone to die from a fall up there to see any action taken by the government.