Search Called Off For Missing Joshua Tree Hiker

A Georgia man who went on a solo hike in Joshua Tree National Park over a week ago was still missing today, as search efforts were cut back.

“The search is not over, we are just needing to shift into a different mode at this point,” said Joe Zarki of the National Park Service.

William Michael Ewasko, 65, of the Atlanta suburb of Marietta, was believed to be in the Quail Mountain area, west of Keys View Road, where his rented vehicle was found on Saturday, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Daily search operations were called off today, but volunteer teams plan to get back to the search “as soon as they re-cooperate a little,” Zarki said.

The volunteer teams will not have logistical support, but will build on what has already been done, according to Zarki.

Ewasko went hiking alone June 24, and his girlfriend reported him missing the next day, according to the sheriff’s department.

Initially, search-and-rescue teams focused on the Hayfield Lake area, but shifted to the Quail Mountain area after Ewasko’s rented Chrysler Sebring was found.

The Lost Horse Valley area, east of Keys View Road, was searched on June 28, Zarki said.

On June 29, the search refocused on Quail Mountain in the center of the park, where it has remained.

Ewasko is white, about 5 feet 10 inches and 165 pounds, with gray hair.

Anyone with more information on Ewasko’s whereabouts was asked to call sheriff’s Investigator Mario Martinez at (760) 836-1676.