Major Search For Missing Hiker Continues

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

The ongoing search for Culver City resident Edward Rosenthal entered its third full day on Wednesday. The focus shifted yesterday as search teams found clear indications of Rosenthal’s presence in a location south of the original search area. Tracking teams found tracks they believe are those of Rosenthal and followed them off-trail into a rugged region of the Little San Bernardino Mountains. Wednesdays’ search effort focused on following these tracks. As of 5 p.m., however, Rosenthal had not yet been located. A San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and ground search teams combed a region several miles south of the original search area, finding additional tracks but not the missing hiker. For the first time, ground teams were directed to search from the park’s south boundary north into the search area. Participating in yesterday’s operations were newly arrived teams from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, Sierra Madre Search & Rescue, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Search & Rescue, and search personnel from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Search teams and support staff from Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree Search and Rescue, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office continued their ongoing assistance with the Rosenthal incident. A total of 40 personnel tasked to the search included ground teams, trackers, search dogs, and equestrian searchers in addition to a helicopter crew. Incident commanders are planning a full day of search activity for tomorrow concentrating on the area where Rosenthal’s tracks appear to be leading. The search area is now focused on an area of deeply cut canyons, ravines, and rocky ridges between Black Rock Canyon and Desert Hot Springs.