Hiker Dies On Trail In Palm Springs 5/18/12

[halhiker]

A hiker was found dead on the Lykken Trail today. No information yet on whether they were hiking on the Skyline or not or it is heat related.

http://goo.gl/FVyzN

[Carl F]

Any follow up to this thread?

[neverwashasbeen]

He was identified, but no cause listed yet.

[MissingMark]

It was my husband who died last year on Lykken trail.

I was told he was found about 1/2 hour up trail, at a group of boulders. It is my hope to one day go see the site of his passing, but it's taken a long time to get the courage, and now I currently have a bad knee, so I haven't been yet. I'm interested if anyone has photos from around this location — Latitude 33° 49.557'N, Longitude 116° 33.205' *
(*I've updated this to be correct!!)

His name was Mark, and not only was he was an amazing man, but he was also prepared, experienced, and in top condition. He cross trained with both mountain hiking and long distance stand-up paddling. (The previous year he paddled all the way from Palos Verdes to Catalina.) He had hiked Baldy twice in the weeks prior, (yes, that's him at Baldy in my photo). His passing had nothing to do with dehydration. He suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 54. He had gone up that afternoon only to scout-out the trailhead, with intentions of doing the full hike up the next morning. He had trained a long time just to do the cactus to clouds.

I believe he passed doing what he loved most — being out in nature.

If anyone here has pictures from that location I would very very much appreciate seeing it.

thanks for your help,
Sue

[Florian]

Hi Sue. Sorry for your loss. But the coördinates aren't near Palm Springs. The latitude is about right but not the longitude. I hike the Lykken often, although not in summer, and would be happy to try and get you some pictures.

-Florian

[MissingMark]

Thank you for your reply! — I did put in the wrong coordinates, but have just gone back and edited my post so they are corrected now.

[Florian]

Looks like he was just a little ways up the trail from the museum. I'll try to get you some pictures of the location.

-Florian

[cynthia23]

I'm so sorry for your loss Sue. I don't know if it consoles you at all but the trail is a very special and very spiritual place. If your husband loved a challenge (and it sounds like he did) then he was in the perfect spot. Again, my deepest sympathies.

[MissingMark]

Thanks so much Cynthia for your kind words. He really lived life to the fullest, truly loved a challenge, and being outdoors was his idea of heaven.

[Screerider]

...to have such an understanding and caring wife. It sounds like you really understood him.
If there is any possible way to assist you up the trail, you know we're here.