Missing Hiker Found Dead in Crazy Mountains

UPDATE: August 15, 6:45 p.m.

At 2:00 this afternoon, Park County Sheriff’s Office, Park County Search and Rescue, Sweet Grass Sheriff’s Office and Fish, Wildlife & Parks located the body of the 39-year-old hiker who was reported missing in the Crazy Mountains.

Searchers included three ground teams, three dog teams, a horse team and a helicopter. The heli-alpine team from Gallatin County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue helped recover the body from a steep rocky chute in Sweet Grass County.

The decedent had been volunteering for the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance on a collaborative project with the Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks when he went missing in rugged terrain near the Cave Lake area Monday.

Sweet Grass County Sheriff / Coroner Dan Tronrud will release his identity once all notifications have been made.

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August 15, 8:30 a.m.

At approximately 10:20 p.m. on August 13, Park County Dispatch received a report of a late hiker in the Crazy Mountains near the Cave Lake area.

The hiker was volunteering with the Rocky Mountain Goat Alliance on a collaborative project with the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Sweet Grass County Deputies confirmed the missing person’s vehicle was in fact at the trailhead in Sweet Grass County, where he was reported to have departed from. The missing person is reported to be a 39-year-old Michigan Male.

Park County Sheriff's Office

In the early hours of August 14, Park County Deputies requested and received assistance from Two Bear Air with an infrared unit, who attempted to locate the missing person. They were unsuccessful.

On Tuesday morning, Park County Search and Rescue, along with the Park County Sheriff’s Office, FWP and other volunteers, began a more thorough search of the area. This included the use of two ground teams that hiked the area as well as Rocky Mountain Rotors who helped with air support, transport and air search. Searchers were unable to find the missing male during today’s operation.

Search operations are ongoing as of Wednesday morning, the terrain they are searching is very rugged and remote.

Authorities are not releasing the hiker's name as they are still working on contacting friends and family members.

The Park County Sheriff's Office contributed to this report.

Filed Under: missing