The body of a California man who was believed to have been swept away by fast-flowing waters while hiking in Yosemite National Park was found over the weekend about a week after he first disappeared, park officials have confirmed.
Hayden T. Klemenok had been backpacking on the afternoon of July 2 with a group of people at the California park’s Upper Chilnualna Fall when he entered Chilnualna Creek near the trail junction and went missing, the National Park Service said in a statement. The hiking trail, famous for its two waterfalls, spans more than 8 miles with a 2,300-foot elevation gain, according to the park’s website.
Klemenok’s sister, Taylor McKinnie, was the first to share the news on Tuesday via Facebook that her brother’s body was found. Scott Gediman, a spokesman for the Yosemite National Park, confirmed the information to the Associated Press on Wednesday.
USA TODAY could not immediately reach a park spokesperson on Friday.
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On Facebook, McKinnie said that Klemenok’s cause of death is presumed to be accidental drowning, though Gediman said how the 24-year-old died is still being investigated.
“We have a long road ahead of us in our grieving as individuals, as a family, and in our news without our irreplaceable, unforgettable brother and son whom we cherish and immeasurably miss,” McKinnie’s post read.
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Klemenok’s parents had previously told NBC-TV that they believe their son, a recent graduate of San Diego State University, was swept away by the waters while bending down to wet his face.
The park service has been warning visitors to avoid rivers and creeks because of flooding, noting that wet rocks are slippery and that the flowing water is “surprisingly swift, cold, and dangerous.” About 15-20 people who either intentionally swim or accidentally fall into Yosemite’s waters are rescued each year, according to the park service.
A GoFundMe page to raise money to help Klemenok’s family that was established shortly after he went missing has since raised more than $67,000.
Contributing: Associated Press
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @EricLagatta.