Found Deceased CA - Paul Miller, 51, Canadian missing in Joshua Tree Natl Park, San Bernardino Co., 13 Jul 2018 #2

[MntnHiker]

Thinking of Paul as we approach the one year anniversary. I was really hoping he'd be found over the fall/winter/spring when hiking conditions are more reasonable. Here we go into another hot hot summer without him

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

it is almost unbelievable that Paul has not been found.

But also, if he is out there, it is believable. Vast country.

We're still here for you and those who love you, Paul.

 

[dulcinea]

If Paul stepped away from the trail and got disoriented (VERY easy to do at JTNP and anywhere in the desert, really) he might have tried to follow a wash thinking it would eventually lead him back to a road or parking lot. Unfortunately, desert washes are mazes. There are so many of them and it's incredibly easy to get lost or take the wrong one. Often times they don't lead anywhere like a road or parking lot, and just take you further into the desert. If Paul did this, it could have taken him way out of the search area, provided he didn't succumb to heat stroke or dehydration first.

I also keep thinking about the heavy, flooding rains that came through shortly after his disappearance. They were strong enough to move boulders that weigh thousands of pounds and even swept away cars. If Paul was out there, the water might have moved him far from where he was or even buried him under sediment.

 

[zecats]

Find Paul Miller

A statement release by family approaching the one year mark.

No news, no Paul, unfortunately.

 

[zecats]

If Paul stepped away from the trail and got disoriented (VERY easy to do at JTNP and anywhere in the desert, really) he might have tried to follow a wash thinking it would eventually lead him back to a road or parking lot. Unfortunately, desert washes are mazes. There are so many of them and it's incredibly easy to get lost or take the wrong one. Often times they don't lead anywhere like a road or parking lot, and just take you further into the desert. If Paul did this, it could have taken him way out of the search area, provided he didn't succumb to heat stroke or dehydration first.

I also keep thinking about the heavy, flooding rains that came through shortly after his disappearance. They were strong enough to move boulders that weigh thousands of pounds and even swept away cars. If Paul was out there, the water might have moved him far from where he was or even buried him under sediment.

RBBM
Definitely a possibility. Could be why there are no signs of him in the area he hiked. It's still puzzling why no trace was found immediately after he went missing. The search began within hours and a dog was able to track him part of the way on the trail.

 

[jash]

Another search is planned in the fall.

That search will likely be aided by drones for the first time. They are banned in national parks and [SM] says that she and her support team just got permission to apply to use the drones.

A member of [SM]'s support team is in regular contact with the authorities in California.

"They say they'll never give up the search, but because it's been a year they say it's more if anyone finds something on the trail then they'll go and explore that spot, where somebody saw something," [SM] said.

She says she wished the permission had been granted when the drones might have been more helpful.

Anniversaries bring more heartache for Paul Miller's wife - GuelphToday.com​

 

[jash]

RBBM
Definitely a possibility. Could be why there are no signs of him in the area he hiked. It's still puzzling why no trace was found immediately after he went missing. The search began within hours and a dog was able to track him part of the way on the trail.

It seems the family is leaning more towards foul play as time goes on. From the media release:

Friends and family believe he was prepared for his planned hike and his disappearance may involve foul play.​

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...JFR9EsEE3Dj7XIIWdgEaSsCPWQoCxtJIPep6QAw9ZfqHW

 

[atlstnspc]

Was the rock that Neil was resting at when he saw Paul ever identified? I haven’t checked the thread for months. I’ll be in JT tomorrow and I would like to take some pictures around the rock at about 9 AM. It’s going to be a hot day, about 105 F, so I’ll be off the trail early.

 

[neesaki]

Was the rock that Neil was resting at when he saw Paul ever identified? I haven’t checked the thread for months. I’ll be in JT tomorrow and I would like to take some pictures around the rock at about 9 AM. It’s going to be a hot day, about 105 F, so I’ll be off the trail early.

I wish I had that information but unfortunately I have no idea. Great to hear you’re going there.... best of luck, stay hydrated, and stay safe!

 

[jash]

Today marks one year since Paul vanished.

First time I'm hearing about a group of four people who showed up as the witness (Neil?) was leaving.

'One second at a time': Missing Joshua Tree hiker's wife talks of year without answers, clues

There was one witness who told officials he saw a man matching Miller’s description that morning on the trail and Robinson said they were recently able to talk to him as well.

The witness told the family he was coming off the trail when he passed Miller, who was about halfway in, going the opposite direction of the witness. The witness also told the family that, when in his car leaving, he saw another group of about four people coming in.

But no one else has reached out to the family, who wonder if they would have also seen Miller, maybe passing him as he came back off the trail.​

 

[jash]

Very sweet comment by Paul's sister on the FB page.

Find Paul Miller

 

[jash]

Was the rock that Neil was resting at when he saw Paul ever identified? I haven’t checked the thread for months. I’ll be in JT tomorrow and I would like to take some pictures around the rock at about 9 AM. It’s going to be a hot day, about 105 F, so I’ll be off the trail early.

I don't think the rock has been identified but this is what the witness said:

Going back, I went about 2/3 of the way up to the ridge and then stopped for 2 or 3 minutes in the shade from a large boulder next to the trail.

 

[zecats]

Was the rock that Neil was resting at when he saw Paul ever identified? I haven’t checked the thread for months. I’ll be in JT tomorrow and I would like to take some pictures around the rock at about 9 AM. It’s going to be a hot day, about 105 F, so I’ll be off the trail early.

I believe he stated he was on the uphill slope on his way back. Paul was on the way out. Seems there is a rise about midway on the trail and hikers need to ascend and descend in both directions. Hope that helps. If not, search Neil or witness in the thread and you can read his post. It has been brought forward several times too iir.

ETA What @jash just said. And thank you. Be careful!

 

[atlstnspc]

I believe he stated he was on the uphill slope on his way back. Paul was on the way out. Seems there is a rise about midway on the trail and hikers need to ascend and descend in both directions. Hope that helps. If not, search Neil or witness in the thread and you can read his post. It has been brought forward several times too iir.

ETA What @jash just said. And thank you. Be careful!

That helps, thanks.

I just returned to my cool air conditioned cabin from the 49 Palms Oasis Trail. I wanted to check out the likely last know location of Paul on the date he went missing. The only spot that matches the description above is much closer to the Oasis than I originally thought. That’s actually better because that puts Paul closer to where the dogs picked up his trail. I took a picture that is not much to see, but here it is if you are interested:

Just enough room to get out of the sun at about the right time frame. BTW, 108 Deg F. Whew. I did sit there awhile.

 

[atlstnspc]

I've been up looking for Paul around 5 or 6 times since I heard about him missing...I will go again. The terrain is quite rugged. But, it's an up and back trail with very little chance to get lost as there are natural landmarks such as looking North to the valley floor of JT and 29 Palms and too difficult to get "!ost". Unless the authorities say otherwise I'm going to keep going up and checking /looking. I don't know Paul but I know the trail pretty well as I run it often. If no foul play took place then he would have gotten hurt or disoriented and wondered I would guess. I have lots of questions regarding this matter. The vehicle he was driving. Did it run when they picked it up or inoperable? What else did he have with him besides a water bottle and camera. Did he have Sun glasses and what kind ? How did he find out about the trail? Why hasn't the authorities given more information and are they holding back information for some reason and, again, why? Why would an "experienced " hiker go without a cell phone? Mind boggling! ...My thinking is he got out there and was rushed for time and maybe tried to get a better vantage point, maybe up a ridge to get a better photo. Maybe by chance he did see a big horn sheep up a ridge and was trying to get a better picture and lost site of it and tried to catch up or get above the sheep and had a mishap...? The terrain is full of large boulders and crevices that he could have fallen in between which would / could have been very difficult for a drone or helicopter to detect. Lots of things could have gone wrong there. I wish the Miller family well and hope they get some closure. Until then lets not give up on finding Paul! Thanks

I was on the trail today myself. Not searching but fact finding. I’m trying to find Paul’s last known location according to Neil. I live on the coast, Newport Beach, and own a vacation house in JT. Are you aware of any local volunteer SAR groups? If nothing else I could report to them what areas I searched. I’ll check with the Park as well.

 

[Tripod]

Thinking of Paul, and really appreciating all the informative posters on this thread- particularly those of you who have gone out on the trail!! Bless you and stay safe.

 

[jash]

I was on the trail today myself. Not searching but fact finding. I’m trying to find Paul’s last known location according to Neil. I live on the coast, Newport Beach, and own a vacation house in JT. Are you aware of any local volunteer SAR groups? If nothing else I could report to them what areas I searched. I’ll check with the Park as well.

JOSAR has been involved in searching for Paul. I understand they use GPS to track where they've searched.

Check out this post by Paul's sister after her first visit: Find Paul Miller.
There's also a video in this article: Sister returns to Joshua Tree to find missing Canadian man; invites public to join hikes.

I think it's awesome that you're giving your time to look for answers!

 

[atlstnspc]

JOSAR has been involved in searching for Paul. I understand they use GPS to track where they've searched.

Check out this post by Paul's sister after her first visit: Find Paul Miller.
There's also a video in this article: Sister returns to Joshua Tree to find missing Canadian man; invites public to join hikes.

I think it's awesome that you're giving your time to look for answers!

It’s a win-win. I go there most weekends and I like hiking in the Park. 49 Palms Trail is a good conditioning hike and I still haven’t checked every where I could without technical climbing skills. If I’m up to it and have time I’ll go again next weekend.

Would there be any interest in videos I have filmed? They are pretty rough, but would give a much better view of the search area than Google maps. Can I link to You Tube or another platform? Does Websleuths have a location I could download to?

 

[zecats]

It’s a win-win. I go there most weekends and I like hiking in the Park. 49 Palms Trail is a good conditioning hike and I still haven’t checked every where I could without technical climbing skills. If I’m up to it and have time I’ll go again next weekend.

Would there be any interest in videos I have filmed? They are pretty rough, but would give a much better view of the search area than Google maps. Can I link to You Tube or another platform? Does Websleuths have a location I could download to?

Even photos would be appreciated. Particularly from the halfway uphill/downhill area on to and including the Oasis.
Thanks so much. Your efforts are surely appreciated. Hope the family is aware there are boots on the ground and concerned folks on this site routing for answers for them (and for us).

 

[wary]

It’s a win-win. I go there most weekends and I like hiking in the Park. 49 Palms Trail is a good conditioning hike and I still haven’t checked every where I could without technical climbing skills. If I’m up to it and have time I’ll go again next weekend.

Would there be any interest in videos I have filmed? They are pretty rough, but would give a much better view of the search area than Google maps. Can I link to You Tube or another platform? Does Websleuths have a location I could download to?

I’m speaking without any authority, but I think you could link to YouTube, making clear in your post that you took the videos yourself.

The reasons I think it’s okay:

1: in the ToS, WS says that they aren’t bothering to verify locals who are just reporting on local conditions, which is what you’d be doing.

2: I remember that in the Mollie Tibbets case, @SharonNeedles took a number of videos all around the area, and posted them for us. I believe he put them on YouTube and posted the link here.