UPDATE: The park service announced on Facebook that the 22-year-old woman who was reported missing during a hike in Yosemite National Park in California has been located unharmed. According to the post, she was discovered within the designated search area with only minor cuts and is currently in 'good condition.' The post further mentions that she had since been reunited with her family.
A young woman, 22-year-old Yailine Maldonado, known as Jaylene, has been reportedly missing since Saturday, July 22, 2023, after embarking on a day hike in Yosemite National Park. Park officials, friends, and family members are in a desperate search for Jaylene, and they are asking the public for assistance in finding her.
On the day of her disappearance, Jaylene planned to travel west from the Ostrander Lake Ski Hut to summit Horse Ridge, a challenging hike that takes adventurers to an altitude of 9,496 feet. She was last seen at around 10 a.m. near the Ostrander Lake ski hut, setting out for Horse Ridge, dressed in black shorts, a red bandana, and either a green short sleeve or a black long sleeve shirt, carrying the top compartment of a red Osprey backpack as reported by Yosemite National Park.
(Oldyosemitehiker -TripAdvisor)
As the search for Jaylene continues, Yosemite National Park Search and Rescue (YOSAR) is appealing to the public, particularly those who may have been hiking in the area of Ostrander Lake, Hart Lake, Buena Vista Lake, or any nearby trails or cross-country routes around the time of her disappearance. Whether you saw Jaylene or not, your knowledge of the area and the timeline of your presence could be critical in helping to find her. Anyone with information that could help locate Jaylene Maldonado is urged to get in touch with YOSAR at 209/238-7046, as mentioned on their Facebook page.
The search efforts bring together the Yosemite National Park community and highlight the importance of safety precautions when embarking on challenging hikes like Jaylene's planned excursion to Horse Ridge. Hiking enthusiasts are reminded to share their plans and timelines with friends, family, or park officials before setting out alone on such adventures.
