CARLSBAD, N.M. — Authorities say a Texas man and his son reported missing on a hike in the area of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park have been found dead.

New Mexico State Police say the search for 57-year-old of Robert Stuart Pluta and his 21-year-old son Robert Jr. began Monday.

Both men were avid and experienced hikers from Corpus Christi.

State Police were notified Monday afternoon after Pluta’s wife says she had been unable to contact her husband or son for days.

Park Service staff located the men’s vehicle on a trailhead northwest of Carlsbad Caverns.

State Police say one dead body was found about 10 p.m. Monday about two miles northwest of the caverns and the other body was located a mile away Tuesday morning.

Eddy County authorities are investigating the deaths.