Hi, park enthusiasts. I'm your host, Dillia Diambra. And the case I'm going to tell you about

today takes place in Kings Canyon National Park in California. The specific section of the park

I'm going to be focusing on is an expanse of the Sierra Nevada Mountains between areas known as

Cedar Grove and Simpson Meadow. On foot or by horseback, traversing this landscape

could take the average hiker some time to complete. It's over 25 miles, but not all in a straight

line. Looking at it in 2D on Google Maps doesn't do it justice. To make this trek, you have to climb

thousands of feet in elevation in some parts

and hike through territory notoriously inhabited by mountain lions and bears.

Simpson Meadow itself is a lush green field along the Middle Fork King's River

that you can get to via the Copper Creek Trail or Simpson Meadow Trail.

Though parts of it are harsh and unforgiving, many people who've

traveled to this area of the park say it's worth it for the views. Two words I kept seeing used

to describe the route to this location were beautiful but secluded. And it's that last description

that I think is most vital to this case, seclusion.

Because as far as anyone has ever been able to tell,

it might be the very aspect of the park that prevented law enforcement

from finding a prominent Central California man who vanished there seemingly into thin air.

This is Park Predators. I'm I'm I'm

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I'm On Thursday night, August 21st, 1975, three men who'd been hiking for several days in Kings Canyon National Park made their way up to the Simpson Meadow Ranger Station.

The group was a bit worse for wear and had some concerning news to report.

Their friend and fourth companion, 66-year-old Fred Gist, was missing.

...