Search for Missing Minnesota Hiker in Wyoming Suspended After 20 Days

After nearly three weeks of combing the Bighorn Mountains, the search for missing Minnesota hiker Grant Gardner has been suspended.

Gardner, who set out to summit Cloud Peak near Misty Moon Lake, was last heard from on Aug. 1. In a text to his wife that day, he confirmed he’d reached the top but admitted the trek was tougher than he expected and that he was exhausted. He never checked in again.

For the past 20 days, search teams have scoured the rugged terrain, battling harsh conditions with no sign of Gardner. On Tuesday, Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn announced the effort would be paused.

“Our teams have exhausted all resources and personnel over the last 20 days,” Blackburn wrote on Facebook. “With weather conditions and other factors updated in our search models, we have to face the reality that the most optimistic survival odds have run out.”

He added that crews will now stand down to rest, with the intent of resuming efforts later.

Anyone with information or sightings of Gardner is urged to contact the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office at 307-568-2324.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been launched to support Gardner’s family and the ongoing search efforts.

The original reporting by Emily Baude for KSTP.