Minnesota man missing in Cloud Peak Wilderness

Big Horn County Search and Rescue has been looking for a Minnesota man lost in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area since Friday, Aug. 1.

According to a press release from Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, Grant Garner had planned an approximately three-day hike through the Misty Moon Lake area to summit Cloud Peak. Gardner contacted his wife around 7 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on Tuesday, July 29, to inform her he had reached the summit. A previous release reported the time as 9 p.m., which was in Eastern Time due to his wife’s location. 

“It does not change our concerns about the late hour of the summit,” Sheriff Ken Blackburn said in an interview on Tuesday. He estimated it would have taken about 3½ hours to negotiate the trail back down the peak, putting Gardner in a poorly marked boulder field after dark.

A text message relayed that Gardner had found the climb up the 13,000-foot elevation peak more taxing than expected and that he was headed to a lower elevation to spend the night. This is the last time any contact has been made with Gardner. BHCSO dispatch was called Friday morning around 9:11 a.m., and Search and Rescue operations began immediately. 

Gardner’s vehicle was located at the West Ten Sleep trailhead, and the hiking log there revealed he had entered the wilderness area. Search and Rescue teams from South Big Horn County, Sheridan County, Johnson County, Washakie County and Park County, Wyoming were joined by First Flight of Wyoming, Wyoming Army National Guard and private aircraft to continue the search on Saturday, Aug. 2.

On Monday, Teton County Search and Rescue arrived on scene with their helicopter. Forward Looking Inferred Radar tracking equipment has been deployed, as well as tracking dogs from various organizations. Tuesday morning, Blackburn shared that Teton County Search and Rescue’s special electronic device tracking equipment would be utilized, with the hope that any devices with a battery, such as a watch or cell phone, may be discovered and aid in Gardner’s recovery. 

“It should be noted conditions are extreme and very challenging; at least two rescuers have suffered medical conditions and have had to receive medical care,” Blackburn said in a press release. He added later that the Search and Rescue Team remains hopeful but is growing tired. 

“The search is rapidly evolving and ongoing in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area,” Blackburn said. “In addition to high altitude and terrain challenges, difficult weather patterns including winds, thunder and lightning storms have made search efforts difficult at various times of the day.”

The team has interviewed multitudes of hikers in the area and searched every tent. The trail remains open to recreation, and Blackburn asked that hikers remain vigilant and respectful of personnel aiding in the search.

Gardner has been entered as a missing person per state statute. BHSCO is requesting anyone who may have had contact with Gardner call in to 307-568-2324 or the Wyoming Missing Person Tipline on the Wyoming DCI website.

Blackburn thanked all the Search and Rescue teams, Wyoming Army National Guard and First Flight of Wyoming, various private pilots including Jim Purdy, Jamie Foy and others who wish to remain anonymous, as well as canine handlers John Labrec, Emily Wade and Red and Michelle Filer. 

“At this time our hearts go out to the family. We are asking for your thoughts and prayers on their behalf, and for the searchers who are risking life and safety in this beautiful but unforgiving wilderness area,” Blackburn said in his release.

On Tuesday, he added, “At this point we could really use a break in the case.”