79-year-old hiker missing for two days in Zion National Park, officials say

Updated on Oct. 3: John Fiske Burg, 79, was rescued Saturday from Zion National Park after going missing Tuesday, rangers said in a news release.

The original story is below.

Officials are looking for a missing hiker in Zion National Park who was reportedly last seen Tuesday.

John Fiske Burg, 79, was last seen around 7 a.m. that day leaving the La Quinta hotel in Kanab, Utah. He was staying at the hotel with a group of 50 hikers and said that he might hike the Canyon Overlook Trail, according to a news release from Zion National Park Service.

His vehicle was found at the trailhead of that route, and it’s unknown when exactly he arrived there.

Burg is described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall and 220 pounds, and has brown hair and brown eyes. He may be wearing a yellow jacket, blue Osprey backpack, shorts, ankle-high hiking boots, and a white visor hat with a neck guard, the release said.

The Canyon Overlook Trail is temporarily closed as officials continue the search, Zion National Park Service said in a Tweet.

Zion National Park rangers and the Washington County Sheriff’s office are investigating the case, The Salt Lake Tribune reported. Officials have asked anyone who may have information about Burg’s whereabouts to call or text the tip line at 888-653-0009, email them at nps_isb@nps.gov, or fill out an online form at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip.

The Canyon Overlook Trail is a mile long and takes about an hour to hike, according to Zion National Park’s website. The trail can be steep in some spots.

This story was originally published September 30, 2021 at 4:31 PM with the headline "79-year-old hiker missing for two days in Zion National Park, officials say."