Hayden Klemenok missing: Backpackers final moments in Yosemite National Park

A backpacker was reportedly washing his face beside a river before he was swept away by the force of the currents in Yosemite National Park in California.

Hayden Klemenok, from San Diego in the US, disappeared two days ago while on a hiking trip across the popular national park with his university friends.

The 24-year-old was pulled into a rushing river Sunday afternoon near the Chilnualna Falls Creek, when he was said to have got down on his hands and knees to wash his face.

The hiking trail, famous for its two waterfalls, spans more than 12km, according to the park’s website.

On July 5, the park shared a “missing person” post to its Facebook page stating Hayden was last seen around 2pm at Chilnualna Creek near the trail junction.

“His whereabouts are currently unknown,” it read.

Officials desperately urged visitors to get in touch immediately if they saw Hayden or were hiking near the area he was last seen on Sunday.

“Simply knowing where you went and when you were there may help us focus the search, whether you saw anyone or not,” they said in the Facebook post.

The trip was the fourth annual gathering for Hayden’s friend group, who said they chased after him after he was carried away by the river, the Daily Mail reported

Hayden’s dad, Kevin Klemenok, said that while his family is hopeful, they are not expecting Hayden to be found alive after several days.

He told NBC 7 that Park Rangers informed them on Tuesday that the search and rescue mission is now a recovery mission.

A GoFundMe has since been setup by friend Connie Zell for Hayden’s family “to help ease the pain of the costs”.

“The efforts of law enforcement, the national park rangers, and Yosemite Search and Rescue Team are greatly appreciated, however, the outcome of Haydens whereabouts are presumed devastating,” she wrote.

Connie revealed his family are currently taking time off work to look for Hayden.

“This go fund me is meant to help ease the pain of the costs of all the expenses and struggles they are currently facing,” she added.

Connie described Hayden as a “truly extraordinary young man” who just recently graduated from San Diego State University university with “such a bright future ahead of him”.

“We are all praying for a positive outcome,” she wrote. “Anything that you can contribute is greatly appreciated.”

So far $US51,360 out of the $US60,000 target has been raised.

“Praying for the entire Klemenok Family. Hayden is one of the most respectable and kind people I’ll ever get to know,” one friend wrote.

“We (Kevin and I) are devastated for Michelle, Kevin and the family. We are so sorry and I know personally how tragic this situation is. I live with a loss of my son everyday of my life. My heart goes out to all of you!” said another friend.

The rivers and creeks inside the park have turned the hiking trails treacherous due to melting snow from a bad winter.

On the National Park Service website, it warns visitors that “rivers are surprisingly swift, cold, and dangerous” and to “stay back from flowing water”.

“Rivers and creeks in Yosemite are at or near flood stage.,” it states.

“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.”

It explains that each year, 15 to 20 visitor rescues are directly associated with “unprepared victims” finding themselves in the water either on purpose (swimming, boating, rafting) or accidentally (falling while hiking, crossing streams, scrambling on rocks).

More Coverage

“As a matter of fact, water-related accidents are the second most common cause of death in the park.”

It continued that many accidents happen in places where hazards are not obvious.

“Keep in mind that one misstep on a rock, even above a seemingly calm pool, may result in inability to escape from a hazard downstream..”

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ706uYr52cZMGzrdWeo2atoJmutbHSaKCnm5mZsq%2FA0miZmpubpa6kt8SrqmaemaOurXnMqKSepqSoeqOxxaipnmWjrLKxwIyipWabpae%2FprrTaKWer6NiwLW70bJmbplom4N3f4%2Bfmm9tZWiBorHCamhubGiZsaSyk2qYbms%3D