Canadian Man Missing in California Desert

The search in Joshua Tree National Park began after the hiker's car was found at the 49 Palms Oasis trailhead

Trackers with dogs are combing part of Joshua Tree National Park in search of a Canadian man missing since heading out for a hike Friday morning.

The search for 51-year-old Paul Miller is focusing on the 49 Palms Oasis trail, located in the southern area of the vast desert park about 150 miles east of Los Angeles.

The National Park Service says Miller departed for the hike at 9 a.m. Friday and his wife reported him overdue at noon. His car was found at the 49 Palms Oasis trailhead.

"Not even so much as a footprint," the park spokesperson George Land told a local television station. "It's somewhat of a mystery."

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Summertime temperatures can surpass 100 degrees in the park.

The Desert Sun reported Tuesday that the area where Miller's car was found received about 1.9 inches of rain last week that may have left water throughout the park.

KESQ-TV reports Miller's hometown is Guelph, Ontario.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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