The body of a missing hiker from Gilbert was found Friday morning in the Superstition Mountains.
Ken Clark, 56, an avid hiker who went missing on Sunday, was found in the mountains east of Mesa and near Apache Junction about 2 a.m., according to Chris Hegstrom, a spokesman for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Clark’s body was discovered by a group of police K-9s in the Garden Valley area, about a mile from the First Water Trailhead, not far from where his car was discovered early Sunday evening, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
The cause of Clark’s death is not known at this time, but his death does not appear suspicious, Hegstrom said.
The Associated Press reported that Hegstrom had been considered in good health, and that authorities believed he had taken a water pack with him when he went on a hike early Sunday. He was reported missing that evening, and crews searched throughout the night for him.
“It’s unfortunate,” Hegstrom said. “His family said he was an avid hiker and knew the area well.”
Contact writer: (480) 898-6533 or msakal@evtrib.com
DrJCA1 posted at 3:52 pm on Wed, Jul 11, 2012.
People should never go out into the wilderness alone, no matter how "experienced" they are. You never know what might happen to you out there. Falls, other accidents, dizziness, lightheadedness, dehydration and heat problems are a few things that can cause you to need help.