Missing hiker found dead on Conundrum Creek Trail in White River National Forest

A 78-year-old hiker was found dead Thursday in the White River National Forest in Pitkin County, sheriff’s officials said.

According to a press release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, Pitkin County deputies responded around 11 a.m. Thursday to reports of an overdue hiker who had not checked in after leaving to hike the Conundrum Creek Trail on Wednesday.

The 8.5-mile trail — in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness section of the White River National Forest — runs parallel to Conundrum Creek and winds through the valley and forests for 2,500 vertical feet, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

When officers arrived at the trailhead, the hiker’s car was still in the parking lot, sheriff’s officials said.

Officials and 23 Aspen Mountain Rescue volunteers searched for the missing hiker Thursday and, after an hour-long search, found the hiker’s body about a mile from the trailhead, the news release said.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office and the Pitkin County Coroner’s Office.

This is a developing story and may be updated.

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Originally published: October 4, 2024 at 10:33 am

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