QUINAULT, Wash — The search continues for a 78-year-old man from Beaver, Washington who was reported missing after going for a day trip to Olympic National Park.
According to the National Park Service (NPS), Duane Miles was last seen on Oct. 19 in Amanda Park, Washington, as he was traveling to the Graves Creek area of Olympic National Park. He intended to have a day hike in the area on Oct. 20.
According to the NPS, friends said Miles was planning to hike off-trail south of the Graves Creek Campground and exit near the Graves Creek corral. In a Facebook comment, Olympic National Park said the corral is located five miles up Graves Creek Road from the turn-off North Shore Road, shortly before the Graves Creek Ranger Station.
Miles never returned from his trip and was reported missing on Saturday, Oct. 23. His vehicle was found parked at the Graves Creek Campground.
Miles is approximately 5’9” tall, weighs 185 pounds and has blue eyes. He was last seen wearing black rain pants and a camouflage jacket. Miles has been known to carry a dark-colored backpack.
Extensive foot searches on Tuesday and Wednesday involving dog teams and various rescue units found no clues as to Miles' whereabouts.
Another search is planned for Thursday. The Soup Ladies, which is a volunteer group that feeds first responders, will provide food for searchers and Verizon is supporting communication systems, according to the NPS.
The NPS said Miles is a very skilled hiker who often hikes off-trail alone to look for shed elk antlers.
A NPS spokesperson said Thursday that rescue teams plan to continue searching for Miles through the weekend, and “then reassess based on the search status at that time.”
Anyone with information or if you were in the area of Graves Creek and East Fork of Quinault between Oct. 18-20 is asked to call the NPS ISB tip line at 888-653-0009.