Joshua Tree: Major Search Underway For Missing Hiker

Joshua Tree National Park (CA)
Major Search Underway For Missing Hiker

Search and rescue personnel from several agencies are searching the park for missing hiker William Ewasko, 65, of Marietta, Georgia. Ewasko was reported missing to park personnel on Friday evening. Initial information concerning Ewasko’s possible whereabouts led searchers to focus on the Hayfield area in the southeast section of the park, but efforts shifted to Quail Mountain late on Saturday afternoon when his car was found at the Juniper Falls trailhead and searchers learned that he’d told friends he might hike there. Hasty teams searched the area that evening and operations continued the next day with personnel from the park, Joshua Tree Search and Rescue, and the Riverside and San Bernadino County sheriff’s offices. Several teams searched on foot and on horseback on Monday near the Lost Horse Valley area, and yesterday the operation expanded further, with about 100 people taking part, including dog and horse teams. No sign of him has yet been found.