Minnesota Hiker Found Dead in Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains After Weeks-Long Search

Grant Gardner, who was missing since late July, was found dead on August 27 in the Cloud Peak Wilderness after a climbing team noticed a slight reflection under a ledge

Grant Gardner, a 38-year-old experienced hiker from Minnesota, was found dead on August 26 near the summit of Cloud Peak, Wyoming, after going missing during a planned three-day trek in the Bighorn Mountains in late July. Gardner had set out to reach the 13,171-foot peak but failed to return home, prompting an extensive search operation.

Gardner sent a final text to his wife, Lauren Gardner, on July 29, informing her that he had reached the summit but was “more exhausted than expected.” His vehicle was discovered parked near the West Ten Sleep trailhead, and search and rescue teams began combing the area by air and on the ground, starting August 1. Despite their efforts, no trace of Gardner was found for weeks, leading authorities to suspend the search on August 21 due to lack of leads.

Gardner is pictured with his wife, Lauren Gardner, who is also the mother to his two children, aged 13 and 11. He sent a harrowing text to her on July 29 that he was more exhausted than expected'

The breakthrough came on the evening of August 26 when a professional climbing team from North Carolina, attempting to summit Cloud Peak, spotted a slight reflection beneath a ledge a few hundred feet above them. Believing it could be a backpack, the team did not approach because of the darkness but notified authorities. The next morning, rescue teams reached the location via helicopter and discovered Gardner’s remains near the suspected backpack. He was wearing clothing that closely matched the surrounding terrain, which likely contributed to the difficulty of locating him during earlier searches.

Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn described the recovery as “difficult and dangerous” and confirmed that the area had already been searched extensively. While the Big Horn County Coroner’s Office has not yet determined the official cause and manner of death, authorities believe Gardner succumbed to a tragic accident.

Lauren Gardner described the last month as 'the most excruciating' time of her life and thanked the search and rescue teams who 'tirelessly' looked for her husband

Lauren Gardner, mother of two children aged 13 and 11, expressed her gratitude to the search and rescue teams and the climbing group that helped locate her husband. “Our hearts are shattered. This has been the longest month on the most excruciating roller coaster,” she said, adding that she was trying to stay strong for their children.

Authorities credited the climbing team for being in the right place at the right time and giving search teams the opportunity to bring closure to Gardner’s family.