Mojave National Preserve
National Park News
On the evening of Sunday, June 8th, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call reporting an overdue 67-year-old hiker from the Philippines who had last been seen by her hiking companion at Fort Piute on the evening of June 7th.
Rangers and deputies interviewed the reporting party, then conducted a hasty search of Piute Canyon with ground teams and an infrared-vision-equipped helicopter. She was not found.
An interagency search was conducted through Friday, June 13th, with up to 50 searchers employed each day. Also employed in the effort were helicopters and as many as six search dogs. The canyon is steep and narrow, with ledges and rugged terrain, and daytime temperatures were over 100 degrees, although there is water in the canyon.
The search has been suspended, but the investigation continues.