Mt. Baldy hiker missing for 2 days after getting separated from group on steep trail
A 52-year-old Orange County man got lost while hiking Mt. Baldy over the weekend, and authorities are continuing to search for him.
Sreenivas “Sree” Mokkapati of Irvine and three other hikers set out on their trek from the Village at Bear Flats to the Mt. Baldy summit early Sunday. At some point during the hike, Mokkapati got separated from the group, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
About 4 p.m., Mokkapati’s companions returned to their car and contacted authorities. Sheriff’s officials searched the area by air and on the ground through the night but have not been able to find Mokkapati.
Overnight temperatures in the area have been in the 40s, according to the National Weather Service.
The hike from Village at Bear Flats to the Mt. Baldy summit is a steep, roughly 11-mile trail that is recommended only for experienced hikers, according to AllTrails, a website for hikers.
“This trail is primary used for hiking, trail running and bird watching and is best used from June until October,” according to the website.
Mokkapati was last seen wearing a gray puffer-style jacket and gray pants. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Al Huff or Det. Brent Meelker at the Sheriff’s Department’s Fontana station at (909) 453-5392 or (909) 677-9436.
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