6 days ago
What we know about an avid 74-year-old hiker found dead on popular Payson trail
Police are investigating the death of a 74-year-old man who was found unresponsive on a popular hiking trail in Payson.
On the afternoon of May 28, the Payson Police Department said it received reports of a man who did not return from a hike on the Boulder Loop Trail.
An easily accessible trail near the southern edge of Payson, the Boulder Loop Trail draws hikers who want to see unique rock formations found along the path.
Here's what we know about reported circumstances around the man's death and a warning given from authorities.
Police said it was unusual for the 74-year-old man, described as an avid and well-prepared hiker, not to return from a trip, prompting someone to report him missing. He was known for bringing ample food and water on his hikes, making his disappearance especially concerning.
Only a few hours after his disappearance was reported, authorities received a call from a hiker who found the man dead near the trail.
An initial investigation revealed no signs of foul play and pointed to heat-related illness as a possible factor in the man's death, police said.
"The death is believed to be from natural causes," the Payson Police Department said in a statement.
The man, who remained unidentified, was transported to the Pinal County Medical Examiner's Office, where an investigation would continue.
Police warned that cooler temperatures forecast for northern Arizona could prove deceptive and said hikers should take steps to prevent extreme weather from enabling a tragedy.
"Temperatures in rim country can be very hot or very cold," the Payson Police Department wrote in a statement.
The department recommended that those headed to the area should dress appropriately for the weather, bring plenty of food, water and electrolytes.
The National Park Service said because of the heat, hikers should remain on trails within their ability and rest regularly. The National Park Service advised that people avoid hiking between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. during the summer months to avoid the worst of the heat.
People were advised to drink at least one quart of water per hour of hiking and to pre-hydrate before hitting the trails.
While hiker deaths on Arizona's many trails are not uncommon, they are typically the result of noncriminal factors.
Most recently on May 22, another experienced hiker, Hannah Moody, 31, was found dead after she went missing on a north Phoenix-area hiking trail. Her death remains under investigation.
'She loved hard': Family, friends reflect on Hannah Moody's death while hiking
On May 15, Dennis Smith, 74, visiting Arizona from Washington, died on the Grand Canyon's North Kaibab Trail. Bystanders and park service personnel could not resuscitate Smith at the scene.
Days earlier, Noah Farabaugh, 33, died after he was part of a group of five hikers experiencing heat issues near the Wave Cave trailhead in the Superstition Mountains near Mesa.
'He knew what he was doing': Hiker's death in Superstition Mountains shocked family
Summer 2024 saw eight Grand Canyon trekkers die while hiking different areas of the national park.
Four of them were over the age of 55.
In early September, a 71-year-old man was pulled from the Colorado River following a boating incident. Just days earlier, a 59-year-old also died in the river. In late August, two hikers — one 60 and the other 80 — died in separate incidents.
Reach reporter Rey Covarrubias Jr. at rcovarrubias@ Follow him on X, Threads and Bluesky @ReyCJrAZ.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Avid 74-year-old hiker found dead on popular Payson trail
