A hiking crew stepped into action after finding an abandoned dog at the summit of a Los Angeles trail on Tuesday morning, and the group's founder told Newsweek how they overcame the challenges to rescue him.

Every week the hiking group known on Instagram as @the.5amcrew meets to conquer a trail together as the sun rises. Founder Omar said he started the group about a year and a half ago, but what unfolded Tuesday morning was a first for him and the hikers.

When they reached the top of Griffith Park, they spotted a German shepherd. The dog had no leash or collar. There was only a water bowl next to him. Omar wasn't sure if the dog was abandoned or if he had run away and ended up there. Either way, Omar and the group wanted to help.

The group brainstormed ways to get the dog down the trail, a 3-mile journey back, but they all knew it wouldn't be easy. The dog looked terrified, Omar noted. His tail was tucked between his legs and his ears pointed down. Plus, the dog wasn't accepting any pets from the group.

They first put a fanny pack over the dog and then tried attaching a jump rope someone had as a makeshift leash, but the dog wouldn't walk. The dog let them pick him up, however, he was too heavy to carry alone the entire journey back. Someone else had a tarp he brought for the group to do pushups on without dirtying their hands. And thank goodness they did as it became the dog's method of transport.

The dog, now known as Hiker, sprawled out on the tarp. The group gathered up the sides, which created a large basket-like carrier with Hiker inside. They each took turns holding the corners and carrying it down the trail.

"If not for the tarp, it would be way harder," Omar said.

Omar estimated the hike back to the trailhead typically takes the group about 45 minutes, but with Hiker, it was closer to an hour. No one minded. They all knew it was not about them that day.

"He looked like a sultan," Omar said about Hiker in the tarp. "And he was happy as a clam by the time we got down."

Hiker knew in his heart the group was there to help him. As time went on, Hiker became more relaxed. He loaded up with food and water when they got to the parking lot and then immediately rested when they put him in group member Daniel's car.

Daniel agreed to bring him home and care for him, but the first stop was to a vet. They checked Hiker was healthy and for a microchip. Unfortunately, no microchip was found.

Hiker will stay with Daniel, who told the group he would adopt the dog if no one steps forward as the owner. But if someone does reach out, they will conduct a vetting process to ensure it's the correct owner.

Omar mentioned Hiker has been doing great since the rescue. He is in safe hands with Daniel, who shared in the crew's group message that the dog was barking at him in the middle of the night, but it was only because Hiker needed to go to the bathroom. Otherwise, the two have been getting along.

"It almost seems like they chose each other," Omar said.

Viewers quickly flooded the comment section of the August 20 video with their praise and support of the hiking group. Within one day the Instagram video amassed over 13,000 views, 1,325 likes and 147 comments.

"Poor baby looked so scared! So sad that someone just decided to leave him there. Thank You guys for taking the time to help him," said an Instagram user.

Another added: "Aww beautiful German Shepherd. Hope feel better and find home. Thx you to save dog. God bless you."

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