Marion County sheriff's deputies and volunteer search and rescue crews are combing the Mount Jefferson Wilderness for a 68-year-old camper who hasn't returned from a trip near Russell Lake.

They need Salem-area hikers to help.

John Nelson was reported overdue by a family friend shortly after noon on Tuesday, July 7, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office. Nelson has not been found as of Wednesday afternoon, July 8.

He is described as 6-foot-1, about 200 pounds, last seen wearing a light blue jacket, jeans, and carrying a light blue day pack.

The sheriff's office is asking anyone who visited the Russell Lake area or surrounding Mount Jefferson Wilderness trails in recent days to think back and call the Marion County Dispatch Center at 503-588-5032 if they saw Nelson or noticed anything useful to search teams.

Officials also want residents to share the alert widely to reach hikers, backpackers, and Pacific Crest Trail travelers who may have passed through the area.

Russell Lake sits in Jefferson Park, roughly 70 miles east of Salem in the Willamette National Forest. The area is popular with hikers and backpackers in July and August, and the trail intersects the Pacific Crest Trail about 4.5 miles in, meaning through-hikers are potential witnesses.

Stay out of the search zone. The sheriff's office said SAR volunteers and partner agencies need room to operate safely.

No update on Nelson's status or a timeline for the next briefing has been announced. Anyone with information should call 503-588-5032.