Hiker Goes Missing in Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming After Informing Wife That Summit Was More Exhausting Than Anticipated
Missing Hiker: Grant Gardner in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains
Grant Gardner, a seasoned solo hiker from Minnesota, has gone missing in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains. Gardner embarked on a three-day backpacking trip in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area, aiming to hike through the Misty Moon Lake area, summit Cloud Peak (at approximately 13,000 feet elevation), and return to his vehicle.
According to his trip plan, Gardner successfully reached the summit on July 29, texting his wife that the ascent was more challenging than anticipated. He described it as "straight uphill on boulders" and mentioned that he was feeling tired. Since then, no contact has been made with Gardner [1][2][3].
The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office, along with multiple agencies, has launched a search and rescue operation. The search involves dogs, helicopters, drones, and foot crews, but the challenging weather and terrain conditions, including high winds, lightning, thunder, high altitude, and difficult terrain, are hampering the efforts [1][3][5].
Gardner's vehicle was found abandoned at the West Ten Sleep trailhead, and a note left in the logbook indicated that he had entered the wilderness area according to his trip plan [1][4]. The hiker, known for his meticulous planning and ability to cope with tough outdoor conditions, is described as very detail-oriented and well-prepared for high-altitude, solo backpacking and climbing trips [1].
Anyone who may have had contact with Gardner is urged to contact the Big Horn County Sheriff's Office at 307-568-2324 [2]. The search for Grant Gardner in the Bighorn Mountains continues, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
[1] CBS News, "Minnesota Hiker Missing in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains," August 3, 2025. [2] Big Horn County Sheriff's Office, "Missing Hiker Alert: Grant Gardner," August 2, 2025. [3] National Park Service, "Cloud Peak Wilderness Area," accessed August 5, 2025. [4] Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, "West Ten Sleep Trailhead," accessed August 5, 2025. [5] Associated Press, "Rescuers Face Challenging Conditions in Search for Missing Hiker," August 4, 2025.
Despite his successful summit of Cloud Peak, Grant Gardner has not been in contact since July 29. The ongoing search for the experienced hiker includes the use of sports dogs, helicopters, drones, and foot crews, yet the difficult weather and mountainous terrain of Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains poses significant challenges.
