Ryan George, a sophomore at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), was hiking with friends near Illilouette Falls on Sept.20 when he slipped off the trail.National Park Service law enforcement rangers located his remains in the canyon below Glacier Point Trail.
Park officials maintain a standard policy of not commenting on active fatality investigations.DEADLY HELICOPTER CRASH KILLS 2 PILOTS BATTLING RAGING WILDFIRE IN YOSEMITEVisitors hike the Mist Trail toward Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park on Aug.31, 2025.
Due to the high volume of visitors during Labor Day weekend, Yosemite required reservations for in-park lodging or camping and wilderness or Half Dome permits.(Getty Images)George was a standout wrestler for SRJC’s Bear Cubs in the 197-pound weight division.During a breakout freshman season, he compiled an impressive 23-4 record, finishing third overall at the 3C2A state championship tournament to earn All-American honors.
The tragic fall occurred just two days after George competed at the Dave Pacheco Invitational in Sacramento, where he placed second individually and helped lead his team to a second-place overall finish.DIVISION-II RUNNING BACK PRONOUNCED DEAD AFTER MEDICAL EMERGENCY IN TEAM'S SEASON OPENER"If you knew Ryan, you know he was one of the most genuine, positive people you could ever meet," SRJC Head Coach Fred Duerr shared in a statement."He had this way of lighting up a room, making you feel welcome, and bringing out the best in everyone around him."A meadow begins to flood in Yosemite Valley on April 28, 2023, as warming temperatures increase snowpack runoff in Yosemite National Park, Calif.
Most of Yosemite Valley will close that evening until May 3 because of forecasted flooding from melting snowpack and extended high temperatures.As of April 1, snowpack in the Tuolumne River basin was 244% of average amid record snowpack levels for some parts of California after years of drought.
(Getty Images)Visitors hike the Mist Trail toward Ve...