An experienced hiker who went missing on Wednesday in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon, was found deceased on Friday, according to officials. The hiker, last contacted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, had set out for a day hike without overnight gear. Concerned family members reported the 33-year-old missing to the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office at 7:30 that evening.
Search teams from the county quickly located the hiker's tracks in the snow near the Paradise Park Trail, southeast of Portland. Tragically, the hiker's body was discovered close to the Hidden Lake Trail around 10:30 a.m. on Friday. The identity of the hiker will be disclosed once the family has been notified.
The Sheriff’s Office has stated that there is currently no suspicion of foul play in the hiker's death. The Clackamas County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct further investigations to determine the cause of death. The National Park Service has been contacted for additional comments on the incident.
In a separate incident at the end of October, a 24-year-old hiker from Texas was also found deceased in Big Bend National Park. The hiker's body was located along the Marufo Vega Trail, a challenging 14-mile loop that winds through desert terrain and rocky cliffs, as confirmed by the National Park Service.
Deputy Superintendent Rick Gupman expressed sorrow over the loss, stating, 'Big Bend National Park staff and partners are saddened by this loss. Our entire park family extends condolences to the hiker’s family and friends.'
