A 78-year-old hiker was found dead Thursday in Pitkin County’s White River National Forest, sheriff’s officials said.
Around 11 a.m. Thursday, Pitkin County deputies responded to reports of an overdue hiker who hadn’t checked in after leaving to hike the Conundrum Creek Trail on Wednesday, according to a news release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.
The 8.5-mile trail — in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness section of White River National Forest — parallels Conundrum Creek, weaving 2,500 vertical feet up through the valley and woods, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
When deputies arrived at the trailhead, the hiker’s car was still in the parking lot, sheriff’s officials said.
Deputies and 23 volunteers from Mountain Rescue Aspen searched Thursday for the missing hiker and, after an hour of searching, found the hiker’s body about one mile from the trailhead, according to the news release.
The incident is 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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