MT. BALDY – (INT) – An air and ground search continues for an experienced hiker missing since Sunday on snow-capped Mt. Baldy.

Sreenivas "Sree" Mokkapati, 52, of Irvine has hiked the 10,000 foot high peak several times, but snow from the Thanksgiving Day storm is waist-deep.

Mokkapati got separated from three other hikers when they set out from the Village at Bear Flats intending to reach the summit. He was anticipating a day hike and had limited supplies.

The number of searchers Wednesday dwindled to seven. Two search helicopters were in the air focusing on snow-covered trails.

Meantime, authorities have closed hiking trails in the search area until December 31st or until Mokkapati is found. The Forest Service says so many visitors have swarmed into the Mt. Baldy area for the season's first snowfall that it's making search efforts difficult.

Story Date: December 15, 2019