Skeletal remains in Joshua Tree National Park believed to be hiker missing since May 2023

Greg Haas
·2 min read
2

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man who disappeared nearly a year ago on a long hike in Joshua Tree National Park left behind only a backpack.

Now it’s up to a coroner to determine if skeletal remains found on Thursday, Jan. 25, belong to Trammell Evans, a 25-year-old hiker who went missing in the park, about 3 1/2 hours south of Las Vegas.

According to information released Tuesday by the National Park Service, Evans was last seen when he was dropped off at the Black Rock Campground on April 30, 2023. He was reported overdue in returning from his trip on May 5. A Facebook page, “Find Tram,” posted this information on Sunday:

“We are saddened to share that the remains of Tram Evans have been discovered near Covington Flats in Joshua Tree National Park. It appears he succumbed to complications related to alcohol withdrawal. In his final journal entry, filled with optimism but also concern regarding the symptoms of withdrawal, Tram expressed his love for everyone, reminding us that ‘love is what life is all about.’ He sought healing through being in nature, but underestimated the challenges of his condition. We thank the community for their unwavering support as well as the Fowler O’Sullivan Foundation and the Joshua Tree National Park Service and ask for privacy during this difficult time.”

According to a report in the Sacramento Bee, Evans’ parents were in the area after the backpack was found about two miles from Black Rock Campground. They had planned to participate in a search. They were given the news when the skeletal remains were found.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation, and the coroner’s office has not released the identification yet. The cause of death has not been determined.

Evans was described as a strong hiker who had previously hiked about 2,200 miles of the Appalachian Trail and summited California’s Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states. He had also previously hiked the same route he planned to take in Joshua Tree, described by the National Park Service: from Black Rock (campground) to Geology Tour Road, then back to Black Rock via the California Riding and Hiking Trail.

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