On Thursday, July 1, 2021, a volunteer with the Front Range Rescue Dogs organization, preparing for a future organized search for the remains of Joshua Hall, found partial human remains approximately 4.3 miles west of the Hessie Trailhead in unincorporated Boulder County. The remains were found near a small stream approximately 0.3 miles off the Diamond Lake Trail.

At the time of discovery, we are unsure of the sex and age of the decedent because of extensive decomposition and likely animal activity. However, because of the location of the remains, as well as personal items found nearby, we believe this may be the body of Hall. As of this writing, Boulder County officials have agreed that the remains are “likely” those of Joshua Hall.

Recovery involved members from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Front Range Rescue Dogs, and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Canon City Helitack.

The Mountain-Ear’s involvement with this painful matter began over four months ago when, on February 21, we published a plea by Laura Vukson of Nederland, the mother of missing hiker Joshua Hall. Ms. Vukson wrote: “I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can provide to keep the public informed that Josh is still missing. We did find our dog Happy who was with Josh hiking.

“On Wednesday, February 3, 2021, my son Josh Hall and our dog Happy went missing from a hike on Devil’s Thumb Lake Trail via Hessie Trailhead in Nederland. As of 12:20 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, our dog Happy has been miraculously found alive, but Josh is still missing.

“A significant winter storm at nearby Eldora Ski Resort was reported between 12:30 – 1:15 p.m., with reported white-out conditions and multiple inches of snow in a matter of minutes.” Conditions remained poor for three days preventing air support for the search. The search was suspended on Saturday, February 6, when avalanches threatened the area.

Ms. Vulson continued, “We are eternally grateful for the heroic efforts of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Alpine Rescue Team, Larimer County Search and Rescue, Inc., Diamond Peak Ski Patrol, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Nederland Fire Department, Boulder Emergency Squad, Colorado Search and Rescue Association – CSAR, Flight For Life Colorado, and Boulder County School District – Nederland High School, who worked tirelessly in harsh conditions to find Josh and Happy. Over 70 rescuers put in over 650 hours between Wednesday night through Saturday evening to locate Josh and Happy.”

The Mountain-Ear is grateful to all those who provided the hundreds of hours of help in the search for closure for the community and the family of Joshua Hall.