Missing hiker from Visalia found dead in Sequoia National Park, rangers say
A missing hiker was found dead Sunday in Sequoia National Park, rangers said Monday.
The hiker was identified as 36-year-old Drew Hall of Visalia.
Rangers said Hall was active and fit but was hiking in rugged terrain in the Mineral King area of the national park located in Central California.
According to rangers, Hall separated from his group earlier Saturday. He planned to meet with the group later in the day but didn’t show. Family reported him missing to park rangers on Saturday evening.
Park rangers and agencies searched for Hall on Sunday morning. His body was found below Sawtooth Peak at 3 p.m. by friends and family who were searching the area on foot.
Recovery efforts were completed Monday afternoon.
Rangers said Sequoia and Kings Canyon emergency personnel have been activated for 60 search and rescue (SAR) incidents this year, five of which occurred over this past weekend.
It was the fifth fatality to occur within the parks in 2025.
