Search For Missing Hiker Continues

Personnel from multiple agencies continue to search Joshua Tree National Park for missing hiker William Ewasko, 65, from Marietta, Georgia. The park was informed that Ewasko was missing on Friday evening.

Initial information concerning Ewasko’s whereabouts led the search effort to focus on the Hayfield area in the southeast area of the park. Late Saturday afternoon, Ewasko’s car was located at the Juniper Flats Backcountry Registration Board and park personnel began a foot search of Quail Mountain, an area where Ewasko had indicated to friends he might be hiking. On Sunday park personnel were joined by Joshua Tree Search & Rescue and Sheriffs Office personnel from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Volunteer equestrians joined teams on foot to search Lost Horse Valley on Monday.

As search personnel begin their fourth full day of the intensive hunt, the focus will be to search the area surrounding Quail Mountain. Approximately 100 people from Joshua Tree National Park, Riverside County Sheriffs Office, San Bernardino County Sheriffs, and various search and rescue teams, equestrians, search dogs, and bloodhounds will be involved. Riverside County Sheriffs will also provide helicopter support.

Visitors are advised to be prepared for brief delays and possible road closures as search efforts intensify. The Incident Command Center for the search has been established in the Cap Rock parking area so the nature trail is temporarily closed. All other park facilities remain open for normal summer use.