Missing hiker in Mazatzals - gpsjoe (Joe Domin)

[Dschur]

Hike Arizona urges anyone interested in searching to post or join an event.

If you go out, please track your hike on a GPS and post it for the benefit of future searches. Simply post it upon return. (if you need help ask the webmaster) Hike Arizona will see that it gets linked to a master map. If you have multiple variations in your group, please post all tracks. As more info is posted the map will evolve and the overlaps will be removed.

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Forecast Mormon Grove & Peeley

Crews looking for missing hiker
By Alexis Bechman

November 16, 2010
Tonto Rim Search and Rescue volunteers and Gila County Sheriff officers are currently searching for an overdue hiker.

The man, whose name has not been released, was last heard from nine days ago and is believed to be hiking near the Mt. Peeley trail or Sheep Mountain, off Forest Road 201, southwest of Payson.

The Gila County Sheriff’s Office first received a call that the man was overdue Monday, Nov. 15 about 9 p.m.

“The hiker has not been heard from since Nov. 7 and frequents the Mazatzal Mountain Wilderness area,” according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

The missing hiker’s vehicle was located at the Mt. Peeley trailhead.



Six TRSAR volunteers are currently searching the ground. Earlier Tuesday, a Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter did an aerial search of the area, but found no signs of the man

[Grasshopper]

Here is an good pic of a portion of our Mount Peeley search area in present Arizona winter conditions as of 1/7/11-->
http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=173141 (pic taken from the Mount Ord area which is east of Mount Peeley and Sheep Mountain. This pic is looking west to Mount Peeley and the Sheep Mountain Ridgeline with a few of its rugged SE Ridges and Ravines in view)

[JakeKelley]

My dad and I have hiked up there. It is some rough country. My prayers go out to gpsjoe. I wish I could do more to help but I am stuck in scottsdale till spring break. I pray he is found by then.

[rayhiker]

Any updates? Have all leads gone dry? I'm glad the three in the Superstitions were found eventually.

[CannondaleKid]

I don't think anyone has been out that way for a while.
I'm waiting for:
- The road to the TH to be in good shape to safely get in and out
- All the snow to clear so I'm not fighting snow as well as the Manzanita
- Slightly warmer weather
- Longer days

[alpinist]

First post - Brad from Flagstaff. Sad day for me. I own a hiking company and come on here occasionally for all the great info. Perusing the forum this morning I learned that Joe went missing last November. I travelled with Joe and two others almost two years ago to Coyote Gulch and Calf Creek Falls in Utah. We spent 4 glorious spring days in the canyons and had a great trip, in no small part due to Joe. He was quirky, kind, and full of passion for all that he saw. I miss you Joe, and my prayers will be with your family. RIP amigo!

[Grasshopper]

Updated pics of present 1/29/11 winter conditions within our Mount Peeley, Sheep Mountain, and FR201 search access areas-->
http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=14113

[easytec]

I made it to Mt. Peely TH yesterday! Road was easily passable for all but the last 3 miles. Last 3 miles have lengthy ~4” deep snow and ice patches, 4x4 necessary. The rain/snow we had last night may have totally changed road conditions since my visit.

[Grasshopper]

It has now been four months (since Mon-11/8/10) that our GPSjoe was considered "officially" missing in our Mazatzal Wilderness, day hiking somewhere in from the Mount Peeley TH area. Due to January and February 2011 winter conditions on access roads FR201, FR25, on the Mt. Peeley area trails, and on related off-trail areas in and around Mount Peeley and Sheep Mountain, our ongoing HAZ and AZH individual and group search-hiking efforts have pretty much ceased during this two month period.

Now hopefully with our 2011 winter season soon ending and with warmer March-April-May'11 day/night temperatures forthcoming in and around the Mount Peeley and Sheep Mountain areas, we will hopefully once again be able to continue our individual and group search-hiking efforts to locate GPSjoe's remains to help bring needed closure to Joe Domin's family and many caring friends.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to visit with Joe's son- Christian Domin from Chicago. Christian wanted me to again express his family's sincere appreciation for all previous and any continuing efforts we have time to devote in helping to locate his dad's remains. We all want to know what happened on that tragic Mon-11/8/10 day which should be further explained in a formal investigation after finding GPSjoe's remains. If we are not able to find Joe, Christian wants us all to know that he and his family are content to know that their dad, father-in-law, brother, granddad, and uncle's remains will reside within a hiking wilderness area that GPSjoe so loved to be.

[kingsnake]

If anyone is going up there to do a search, and needs a partner, I'd like to help. I don't have over night gear, or 4x4, but I'd be an extra pair of eyes. My weekends are open beginning 4/9 ...

[azbackpackr]

Hope to help with a search later in the spring. I'll keep tabs on this thread.

[kevinweitzel75]

I would also like to help in the search. I have a 4x4 extended cab full size pick up now, so we can load it up if need be. Will watch this thread for further details.

[nonot]

I would like to ask people who go to post the road conditions. That is most helpful.

[te_wa]

give me a few days. im going to hike the AZT between Pine t/h and Sunflower t/h. I wont be able to explore Sheep Mtn, but if I see anything along the Divide trail or other areas north of Mt. Peeley, I will certainly report. At least I can report the area around the Peeley t/h, as that is the summary of how the rd (201) will look for the few miles leading into Peeley. (make sense?)

[Grasshopper]

At least I can report the area around the Peeley t/h, as that is the summary of how the rd (201) will look for the few miles leading into Peeley. (make sense?)

Thank you and yes any FR201 road updates within 3 miles of the Peeley TH will be good to know as we have not had any updates in this area since the end of January.

[te_wa]

I CAN tell you this: as of Feb 14th, the gate @ 201 was open. I dont know if there has been any snow since then, or earlier. It should be open all the way in. BUT i'll let you know along with my 1036 photoset of my trip, next weekend. (around 3-20/21)

[Dschur]

From the view from Payson all the Mazatzal mountains along there still have quite a bit of snow on the north and west slopes... We had 5 inches of snow on the 20th and then again on the 27th of Feb. All the snow in the Payson area is gone but can still see quite a bit on those peaks... Will look again on the way home at the pass there to see how much is there now it is getting longer daylight..

[Tough_Boots]

I think I'm gonna hit the Barnhardt Trail early in the week. I'll report back the conditions.

[Trishness]

Will keep my eye on this thread to see if anyone is going out there in another 4-6 weeks. Been grounded due to sprained ankle and in PT for a while.

[te_wa]

road to Peeley is passable with caution AND skilled driver. I know a stock jeep wrangler made it there. some snow patches, not too much mud.
the time is now. for those willing, do it!

[Grasshopper]

For those considering upcoming individual and group search-day hikes and/or overnight trips to continue the much appreciated efforts for locating GPSjoe's remains, I just wanted all to know that on either Wed-3/30 or Thurs-3/31, I plan to take my Jeep and do a day drive up FR201 to the Mount Peeley TH to check-out, take some pics, and report back road access conditions. It would be great if some of you may plan to drive to the Peeley TH prior-to my late March trip to report back road access conditions, but if no one is able too, I will plan to and report back.

Also, along with my planned scouting trip the end of March to check out FR201 access conditions, I wanted to also let everyone know for your planning calendars who might me interested in attending, that I'm now planning my first Spring'11 "Grasshopper Camping/Hiking event" for this same area up and off of FR201 (actually at the .25ml end of FR3348, the Gold Ridge Trail 4x4 road). This turn off of FR201 onto FR3348 is approximately 2.4miles before reaching the Mount Peeley TH. I am now tenatively planning this event for Wed-4/27 to Mon-5/2/11 (5nts/6days). After my end of March scouting trip to confirm road access/conditions to the Peeley TH and to the above 4x4 campsite area and if it is doable, I will then publish the official event on HAZ for all(HAZ/AZH) who are interested to join me via camping/hiking for any available days/nights during this planned 5nt/6day period and/or for any day search-hiking trips you may be available. I will not be search-hiking every day of this planned 6 day trip and I don't intend to coordinate and/or lead any planned search-hiking group efforts, but all are invited to join-in and camp, hike, and visit for any time periods you may be available. Hope we can do it!