Missing hiker found dead near trailhead in Canyonlands National Park, rangers say

A man disappeared while on a short hike in one of Utah’s national parks, rangers said.

The man was reported missing Sunday, July 17, after he didn’t return from attempting a hike in Canyonlands National Park, the National Park Service said. The man planned to hike from Elephant Hill in the park’s popular Needles District.

“A joint search and rescue team comprised of Canyonlands and Mesa Verde National Park Service staff and San Juan County personnel was assembled to locate the individual,” park officials said in a July 20 news release.

The search continued for days, according to the National Park Service. On Tuesday, July 19, a body was found near the trailhead.

Park officials said the body matches the missing hiker’s description.

“The body was then transferred to the San Juan County Medical Examiner’s Office,” park officials said. “An investigation into the incident currently is being conducted by San Juan County.”

Canyonlands encompasses nearly 337,600 acres of desert land near Moab, Utah. The park is divided into four districts, including Island in the Sky, The Needles, The Maze and the rivers district.

During the summer, temperatures in the park can exceed 100 degrees, according to the National Park Service.

“Before hiking in the summer months, visitors are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and prepare for extreme heat,” park officials said in the news release. “All hikers should ensure they are drinking plenty of fluids, eating snacks, traveling in the early morning hours, resting during the heat of the day, and dressing appropriately for the weather.”

This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 10:03 AM with the headline "Missing hiker found dead near trailhead in Canyonlands National Park, rangers say."