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Body of missing hiker located in Zion National Park, recovery effort underway

Posted at 6:41 AM, Aug 15, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-15 17:41:10-04

KANE COUNTY, Utah — Searchers found a body at the end of Deertrap Mountain Trail in Zion National Park Wednesday.

According to a news release, the backpack and clothing match that of 47-year-old Maurice “Moe” Harris.

“This is an extremely sad event,” Superintendent Jeff Bradybaugh said. “Our thoughts go out to Mr. Harris’ family and friends.”

He was last scene on Monday Aug. 13 around four p.m. at the trail head of East Rim Trail heading toward the Weeping Rock shuttle stop in Zion Canyon.

Deertrap Mountain Trail is a dead end spur off of East Rim Trail.

Harris was reported missing Monday night after being dropped off at the trail head by a friend.

Harris was supposed to rendezvous with a friend at the Weeping Rock Shuttle Stop but did not arrive as planned.

Crews carried out a hasty search Tuesday, followed by a helicopter search. A team flying with infrared equipment searched the area overnight, and Wednesday morning six teams began a methodical search.

Over 40 people were involved in the search. The park is currently making plans to safely recover Mr. Harris’ body.

The intensive interagency search included; Kane County Search and Rescue, Washington County Search and Rescue, Zion National Park Search and Rescue, canine crews from Kane and Washington Counties, and helicopters from Grand Canyon National Park and Utah Department of Public Safety.

According to Zion National Park, theEast Rim Trail can get “very dry and hot” during summer months and has no established campsites. A permit is required to hike the trail, but those permits are available on walk-up basis.