Missing OC Hiker: Mount Baldy Partially Closed Due To Search

ORANGE COUNTY, CA -- Parts of Mount Baldy remained closed Friday morning in an effort to help search and rescue teams find a 52-year-old Irvine man who went missing while hiking with three other people.

The closure of some areas of Mount Baldy is in effect until Dec. 31 or until the search and rescue operation ends, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Sreenivas ``Sree'' Mokkapati and his group started hiking from the Village at Bear Flats to the Mt. Baldy Summit on Sunday morning, according to the SBCSD. At some point, Mokkapati became separated from the group.

Search and rescue volunteer teams from San Bernardino, Tulare, Fresno, San Mateo and Los Angeles counties searched the mountain Thursday for any sign of Sree or his direction of travel. Air support was limited Thursday because of high winds, the department said.

Mokkapati is considered an experienced hiker and has hiked Mount
Baldy a number of times, the SBCSD said. He was last seen wearing a gray "puffy'' jacket and gray
pants. Anyone with information about his whereabouts was urged to contact the
Fontana Sheriff's Station at (909) 453-5392, or (909) 677-9436. Callers wishing to
remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME.

City News Service contributed to this report.