CONCORD —New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is reminding hikers to be prepared when heading out into the New Hampshire backcountry.

Even a simple afternoon hike on a well-know trail can turn into an ordeal, especially at this time of year when days grow shorter.

Fish and Game conservation officers reported at least five different search and rescue operations for people who were injured or lost and not equipped to spend the night in the woods.

“In many of the searches this weekend and the past several weekends, the hikers were completely unprepared for any unforeseen circumstances,” Conservation Officer Mark Hensel said in a release. “We are grateful that these searches ended successfully, but those going out to enjoy the outdoors must be aware that shortened daylight and colder temperatures can quickly make a situation life-threatening. Please be responsible.”

Robert White of Jackson was carried 2.2 miles after falling on the way down Crawford Mountain and injuring his leg. White and Sue Jackson, who was with him, called for help around 4:35 p.m. Saturday and were helped to safety around 9:45 p.m.

Personnel from fire departments in Bartlett, Jackson and North Conway; Androscoggin Valley search and rescue volunteers; Appalachian Mountain Club staff; Bartlett-Jackson Ambulance staff; and a U.S. Forest Service ranger hiked in and carried White out.

Fish and Game was also called when two Boston-area women got lost after hiking to the summit of Mount Stanton. Kristine Curtis of Boston and Anne Cullen, of Cambridge, Mass., took a wrong turn and lost the trail. They called for help at 6:20 p.m.

Conservation officers couldn’t get a GPS lock on the cell phone, but could get a general idea of the women’s location and found them around 9:30 a.m. Sunday.

Hensel said the women were fortunate it was a mild night.

Two other women got lost Sunday on the Blueberry Ledge Trail in Tamworth.

Elizabeth Wilson of Laconia and Kathleen Hall of Newmarket were overcome by darkness and called for help around 7 p.m. after reaching the summit of Whiteface and starting down. Conservation officers determined their location from the phone call and hiked about a mile to reach the women and lead them out by 9:30 p.m.

Also on Sunday evening, a Meredith man called to report his wife was overdue from a hike around 6 p.m. Conservation Officers searching for the Blueberry Ridge hikers found Cynthia King’s vehicle around 8:30 p.m. and continued to search through the night. A team from New England K-9 search rescue found King in good condition around 6:30 a.m. Monday.

For more information on safe hiking, visit www.hikeSafe.com.