Melvin George Heaps, 74, went missing on July 31, 2017, during a day hike in the Crystal Lake area of the Wasatch National Forest near Kamas, Utah. He was an experienced hiker and had left his vehicle at the Crystal Lake Trailhead but did not return as expected.

Heaps was last seen wearing a red or rust-colored long-sleeve shirt with beige stripes, blue jeans, and brown hiking boots. He had hearing impairments, which may have made it harder for him to hear searchers. Extensive ground and air searches using search dogs and volunteer teams were conducted, but no sign of him was found and authorities scaled back active searching after several days. The Summit County Sheriff’s Office continues to list the case as open and presumes Heaps lost in the wilderness.

If anyone was in the Crystal Lake area on July 31, 2017, or has information about Heaps whereabouts, please contact the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.