Wildomar Man Hiking Alone in Wilderness Reported Missing

Concerns were mounting today regarding the whereabouts and safety of a Wildomar man reported missing 10 days ago.

Daniel Ferguson, 50, went trekking into the Cleveland National Forest earlier this month and hasn’t been seen since.

According to Riverside County sheriff’s officials, one of Ferguson’s relatives reported him missing on March 20 after he failed to return from a hiking trip that began along the South Main Divide of the Ortega (74) Highway, a two-lane road that traverses the Cleveland National Forest, connecting Riverside and Orange counties.

Ferguson took to the hills after being dropped off by a friend, saying he intended to “travel the world,” according to the sheriff’s department.

“According to family, Ferguson has traveled long distances on foot in the past,” according to the sheriff’s department.

A sheriff’s helicopter crew searched the area where Ferguson was last seen, without turning up any clues.

Ferguson is white, with blue eyes and receding blonde hair. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a brown leather jacket and black jeans and was carrying camping gear, including food, water and a mobile phone.

Anyone with information was asked to call the sheriff’s Wildomar station at (951) 245-3357.

--City News Service

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