Who was Hayden T Klemenok? California hiker found dead in Yosemite National Park creek days after he went missing
MARIPOSA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Hayden T Klemenok, the missing trail hiker's body, has been recovered in Yosemite National Park. On July 2, the 24-year-old was backpacking with a group of friends at Upper Chilnualna Fall. At around 2 pm, he entered Chilnualna Creek near a trail junction, as per the press release issued by the park officials.
According to a Facebook post shared by the hiker's sister on Tuesday, their family was notified on Sunday about his body being found. "Due to the complexity of his location, it took another 24hrs to formally recover him," wrote Klemenok's sister. "While a few further steps remain in the investigation, Hayden's cause of passing is presumed to be an accidental drowning," she added.
Who was Hayden T Klemenok?
Klemenok worked as a financial analyst for Porchlight Realty in North Park, California. The San Diego State University graduate went missing while backpacking with eight college friends. The hike was the group's fourth yearly trip to Yosemite. With an elevation of 2,400, the trail is eight miles long, according to People.
"We have a long road ahead of us in our grieving as individuals, as a family, and in our new lives without our irreplaceable, unforgettable brother and son whom we cherish and immeasurably miss," read the hiker's Facebook post. "Hayden's existence was and is still so widespread and so impactful: two of the many unique parts about him," she continued and concluded emotionally, "We will never stop loving our Hayden, and today, are finally able to say we are all leaving Yosemite 'together.'"
A GoFundMe campaign was setup by Connie Zell who described herself as "a friend and coworker of Hayden's mother Michelle." As of Wednesday, the page has raised over $65,000 for Klemenok's family.
Park authorities advise visitors to 'stay back from flowing water!'
The park officials issued a statement urging those who may have spotted Klemenok or "were hiking off-trail in the area of Upper Chilnualna Fall on or after July 2, 2023" to contact them. The website for the Park Service still has a caution for visitors at Yosemite advising them to "stay back from flowing water!". The site warns the hikers that "rivers are surprisingly swift, cold, and dangerous."
"Rivers and creeks in Yosemite are at or near flood stage. Stay out of rivers and creeks. Stay away from rock adjacent to rivers; wet rock is extremely slick. Do not cross bridges that have water flowing over them," the alert reads.
