Richard G. Oldfield, a 33‑year‑old white male standing approximately 5 ft 10 in to 5 ft 11 in weighing between 160–170 lb, with blond or strawberry-colored hair, disappeared on October 5, 1968, while hiking alone in Kings Canyon National Park, California.
His disappearance was reported four days later, on October 9, 1968, by his wife, who noted he had not returned from a solo hiking trip. His planned route included entering the park via Kearsarge Pass, trekking to Dragon Lake, then heading into Gardiner Basin, and ultimately exiting the park via Kearsarge Pass—the same way he entered.
On October 5, 1968, Oldfield was seen signing summit register logbooks at Kearsarge Pass and at Mount Gould, suggesting he had reached significant elevations in the park. Search efforts began in earnest after he was reported overdue. On October 10, searchers discovered a pair of distinctive Vibram shoe prints that led from Mt. Gould down to Dragon Lake. However, those tracks ended abruptly there and could not be followed further.
Search operations were complicated by adverse weather conditions. Snowfall and precipitation over a period of three days hindered ground efforts. Despite concerted attempts, search teams were forced to suspend operations on October 29, 1968, after failing to locate any further clues or evidence.
According to NamUs, the case was officially created on July 30, 2025, nearly 57 years after his disappearance, and remains open with the National Park Service listed as the investigating agency. No additional details regarding his clothing, belongings, or any other physical evidence were recorded beyond what was noted in the initial reports: clothing possibly included thermal underwear, a gray and black flannel shirt, a gray nylon jacket, brown khaki pants, Vibram‑soled shoes, a bright green sleeping bag, dehydrated food, and possibly a butane stove.
In summary, Richard G. Oldfield’s case remains one of the enduring mysteries of Kings Canyon National Park. His tracks were traced only to Dragon Lake, and no further leads emerged despite weather-impacted search efforts. Over half a century later, it remains an unresolved disappearance, with no new evidence brought forward.
Last Seen: Oct 05, 1968
