Hiker from SLO who went missing in Yosemite National Park is found dead

Kelsey Oliver, Anthony Galaviz
·2 min read

A hiker from San Luis Obispo who went missing while backpacking in Yosemite National Park was found dead Saturday morning.

Kirk S. Thomas Olsen, 61, went missing near Ostrander Lake during a trip to the backcountry spot scheduled for Aug. 23-27, the National Park Service said.

Olsen, who was listed at 6-foot and 190 pounds with blond hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion, was overdue two weeks, the park posted on social media Thursday.

Park rangers said no further information was available.

Holly Leeson, Olsen’s niece, told The Tribune that her uncle was a native of Ventura County but spent most of his adult life living in San Luis Obispo.

Leeson said her uncle would “never would have wanted anyone to take this as a cautionary tale to not go into the park” and spoke of his passion for the outdoors and encouraging others to get outside as well.

Leeson told the San Francisco Chronicle that authorities were still investigating how Olsen died but said he may have lost track of the trail.

“Take as many precautions you can because even with all the experience in the world, it doesn’t guarantee your safety sometimes,” Leeson told the Chronicle.

SLO man worked for State Parks at San Simeon

Leeson said Olsen worked at Hearst San Simeon State Park and other parks near Clearwater and Donner Lake.

At San Simeon, he was a naturalist and interpreter for elephant seals.

Leeson said she didn’t know the exact dates her uncle worked for Hearst San Simeon State Park, but his LinkedIn profile stated he had worked for California State Parks for 10 years starting in 2014.

Leeson said Olsen wasn’t employed by San Simeon at the time he went to Yosemite and that he was going on this solo trip to figure out his next step.

Dan Falat, district superintendent of San Luis Obispo Coast District California State Parks, confirmed that Olsen was employed as a senior park aide within the San Luis Obispo Coast District of California State Parks from 2017 to 2020.

Falat said Olsen’s primary assignment was at Hearst San Simeon State Park.

“Our deepest condolences go out to Mr. Olsen’s family during this very difficult time,” Falat said.