Minnesota hiker Grant Gardner has been missing since July 29 in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains after reaching the summit of Cloud Peak, according to authorities. His wife, Lauren, has been expressing her determination to remain strong for their two young children, ages 13 and 11, as part of an ongoing search and rescue operation. The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office described the conditions as ‘extreme and very challenging,’ with high altitude, rugged terrain, and unpredictable weather complicating the search. Despite Gardner’s experience as a solo hiker, his disappearance has raised concerns after he last contacted his wife following his summit.
Gardner made contact with his wife on July 29, letting her know he’d made it to the summit of the 13,000-foot Cloud Peak, but has not been heard from since, according to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office. The agency launched a search and rescue operation in what it described as ‘extreme and very challenging’ conditions. This incident has captured the attention of authorities, with a multi-jurisdictional search effort involving teams from South Big Horn County, Sheridan County, Johnson County, Washakie County, and Park County Wyoming, along with rotor aircraft from First Flight of Wyoming, Wyoming Army National Guard, and private aircraft, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Gardner was planning a 3-day hike through the Misty Moon Lake area, eventually summiting Cloud Peak, and returning to his vehicle, completing his journey. Phone records show he reached the summit around 7 p.m. on July 29 and sent a text to his wife indicating that ‘the climb was more taxing than he expected and he was tired,’ according to authorities. The late summit at 13,000 feet was described as concerning due to the lack of visible trails through cliffs, timber line, boulder fields, and other hazards that had to be navigated after dark before reaching clear trails and safe terrain. The sheriff, Ken Blackburn, emphasized the dangers of the terrain as a key factor in the search’s complexity.
Authorities have confirmed that Gardner’s vehicle was found in the same parking lot where he began his trip. However, there remains no sign of the missing man despite the extensive search. The sheriff’s office is requesting anyone who may have had contact with Gardner to report to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office at 307-568-2324 or the Wyoming Missing Person Tip line on the Wyoming DCI website. As the search continues, the family’s hope remains high while the community and rescue teams work tirelessly to find Gardner and bring closure to this ongoing tragedy.