A 36-year-old hiker from Visalia was found dead in rugged terrain below Sawtooth Peak in Sequoia National Park on Sunday, July 13, after being reported missing the night before, according to a statement from the National Park Service.
The hiker, identified as Drew Hall, was described by park officials as fit and active, but had become separated from his group earlier in the day on Saturday. He had planned to reconnect with them later but failed to return within the expected timeframe, prompting family members to report him missing to park authorities that evening.
Search and rescue operations began early Sunday morning. Hall’s body was located around 3 p.m. by friends and family members who were searching the area on foot, officials said.
“This has been a challenging year for our search and rescue teams,” said Chief Ranger David Fox in the news release. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the hiker. We encourage everyone to take extra precautions and remain vigilant while enjoying the beauty of these National Parks. Safety must always come first.”
The National Park Service noted that this marks the fifth fatality within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks this year.
So far in 2025, emergency personnel have responded to 60 search and rescue incidents, including five over the past weekend alone.
The incident remains under investigation. All information was provided by Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.