Lost Prescott Valley Hiker Found Dead; His Dog Stayed By His Side

COTTONWOOD, AZ — A lost Prescott Valley hiker was found dead on Mingus Mountain, and authorities said his dog remained at his side even after his death.

Donald Hayes, 74, was last seen alive the morning of May 13 hiking in Woodchute trailhead on Mingus Mountain, the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post. He called his wife that afternoon and said he and his dog, Ranger, were lost.

Forest patrol officers called him around 2 p.m., but Hayes said he did not want to wait for a rescue, and that he was "continuing down a ravine," though he wasn't sure where, the sheriff's office said. Hayes said he was hiking northwest and saw Williamson Valley, and that he planned to turn off his phone to save the battery, but still had food and water.

But that was the last time authorities heard from him. Efforts to locate him through GPS on his cell phone proved unsuccessful. Rescuers continued searching for him through difficult terrain, finally finding his body five days later on Wednesday afternoon.

“Our searchers utilized every tool at their disposal to find Mr. Hayes and never gave up," Sheriff David Rhodes said in a statement.

Hayes was found in a rugged area that was difficult for searchers to reach. His dog was found alive and had remained with Hayes after his death. The dog was taken to an animal hospital for treatment.

"It didn't surprise us at all that his dog stayed with him and didn't want to leave," Blair Burtan of the county's search and rescue K-9 team told KPNX-TV.

He said authorities believe the duo walked at least 8 miles. The dog was not mobile and needed both fluids and oxygen.

“Our condolences go out to Mr. Hayes’ family, and we wish the outcome could have been different,” Rhodes said.

Woodchute Trail is described as a popular but hard, out-and-back trail stretching 6.7 miles, according to the AllTrails outdoor recreation app. The trail becomes steep at some points and includes views of the Verde Valley, Sedona, Sycamore Canyon, the Mogollon Rim and the San Francisco Peaks.