Search continues for missing hiker in Joshua Tree National Park

This weekend, staff and volunteers from San Bernardino County Sherriff's Department Search and Rescue and the National Park Service will continue searching for missing hiker Paul Miller of Canada. Over a month has passed since Miller, 51, was last seen on Friday, July 13 as he departed his hotel with the intention of hiking Fortynine Palms Oasis, a popular hiking trail.

Rescuers are now concentrating on more remote sections of the greater Fortynine Palms Oasis area. Due to steep ravines and cliffs, technical specialists with high-angle rescue skills are being used to complete a series of grid searches in the northern section of the 794,000acre park.

High temperatures continue to hinder search efforts. Rescuers have been commencing operations at 4 a.m. to avoid triple digit temperatures.

Since July 13, park staff have coordinated an extensive search including teams doing technical, ground, helicopter, K-9, and tracking searches. To date, the search has included 20 K-9 units and over 600 searchers putting in more than 6000 hours.

Multiple agencies are involved, including San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (deputies, detectives, search and rescue, and emergency services), California Rescue Dog Association (CARDA), Nevada SAR, and the National Park Service with personnel from the Investigative Services Branch, Mojave National Preserve, Death Valley National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Joshua Tree National Park.

Hikers to the area are reminded to restrict hiking to the cooler morning or evening hours and to bring at least one quart of water per person per hour of hiking. Visitors should remember that cell phones do not work in the majority of the park and to leave descriptions of their proposed routes with friends and family.

Anyone having information as to the whereabouts of Miller or having any other pertinent information is asked to call: (909) 383-5651.