Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
298 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Walter Reinhard missing person case profile photo

Walter Reinhard Missing Person Case

Last seen in Yosemite National Park, California on Sep 16, 2002

Victim Details

Jan 29, 2019

Mar 26, 2021

Walter

Reinhard

90

66

67 inches

68 inches

125 lbs

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 16, 2002

Yosemite National Park

California

Tuolumne County

No

46948

National Park Service - Yosemite

Yosemite

California

Mariposa County

95389

PO Box 517, California

Federal

Law Enforcement

NP19009178

Sep 30, 2002

National Park Service - Yosemite

9698

Gray or Partially Gray

Blue

Blue

Oct 12, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP55048) and 6 other sources
Walter Reinhard, a 66-year-old hiker from Oro Valley, Arizona, was last seen on September 19, 2002, in Yosemite National Park. He checked into a hotel near the park and is believed to have started a solo hike from the White Wolf Trailhead. Reinhard, an avid hiker but not a frequent visitor to Yosemite, was thought to be on a day hike. His family became concerned when he did not return home, and they reported him missing on September 29.

On September 30, 2002, park rangers found Reinhard’s vehicle abandoned at the White Wolf Trailhead. Despite extensive search efforts, no trace of him has been found. His description at the time of his disappearance included wearing a gray felt Alpine hat, leather hiking boots, and carrying a large fanny pack. Given the remote and rugged terrain of Yosemite, authorities believe he may have become lost or injured during his hike.

Reinhard's case remains unsolved, and search efforts have been hampered by the challenging conditions of the park's wilderness. Rangers have asked for any information from visitors who might have been in the area at the time of his disappearance, hoping to uncover new leads. Despite the passing years, his disappearance continues to be one of the many unresolved cases in Yosemite's vast landscape.
Last Seen: Sep 16, 2002

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Missing Hiker's Family Hopes for a Miracle - Los Angeles Times
  • Hiker Missing At Yosemite - myMotherLode.com
  • Search Continues in Yosemite for Missing Oro Valley Hiker - KOLD
  • Yosemite Hiker Still Missing - myMotherLode.com
  • Walther H. Reinhard - The Charley Project
  • Walther H. Reinhard : r/NotForgotten - Reddit

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (2)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    76%Possible
    John Doe — San Francisco, California - unidentified case UP146034
    John Doe — San Francisco, California
    UP146034 • Found Jan 22, 2014
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 68–82 vs 66 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 64%157 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 11 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'7"–5'8"
    Weight 100%83–150 lb vs 125–150 lb
    Hair 100%Gray vs Gray
    75%Possible
    John Doe — Rio Vista, California
    UP147996 • Found Feb 12, 2006
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 66 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 71%119 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 3 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'4"–5'7" vs 5'7"–5'8"
    Weight 100%137 lb vs 125–150 lb

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (1)

    I've been following the Walter Reinhard case for a while now, and one aspect that puzzles me is the... ...Read More
    10/14/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Yosemite National Park, California

    Dikran Knadjian missing person case in Yosemite National Park, California

    Dikran Knadjian

    Missing: Jul 24, 1972
    Dikran Knadjian was a 20-year-old male last seen on July 24, 1972, at Camp Curry Village in Yosemite ...Read More
    Arthur Estes missing person case in Yosemite National Park, California

    Arthur Estes

    Missing: May 24, 1976
    Arthur Estes, a 25-year-old man, went missing on May 24, 1976, during a hiking trip in Yosemite ...Read More
    Timothy Barnes missing person case in Yosemite National Park, California

    Timothy Barnes

    Missing: Jul 5, 1988
    Timothy John Barnes, a 24-year-old resident of Rancho Cucamonga, California, disappeared on July 5 ...Read More
    Walther H. Reinhard missing person case in Yosemite National Park, California

    Walther H. Reinhard

    Missing: Sep 19, 2002
    Walther H. Reinhard, a 66-year-old retired U.S. Marine and experienced hiker from Oro Valley ...Read More
    Richard Allan Judd missing person case in Yosemite National Park, California

    Richard Allan Judd

    Missing: Jul 26, 2021
    Richard Allan Judd, a 69-year-old man, was last seen on July 26, 2021, while on a day hike in ...Read More
    David Morrison missing person case in Yosemite National Park, California

    David Morrison

    Missing: May 25, 1998
    David Paul Morrison, 28, was last seen on May 25, 1998, in Yosemite National Park. Morrison, an ...Read More
    Joel Curtis Thomazin missing person case in Yosemite National Park, California

    Joel Curtis Thomazin

    Missing: Sep 6, 2021
    On September 6, 2021, 31-year-old Joel Curtis Thomazin embarked on a solo hiking and fishing trip in ...Read More