WY Grant Gardner 38, Missing while hiking to Cloud Peak in WY. Last heard from 7/29/2025

[FoxxTraxx]

Search underway for Minnesota hiker missing in Wyoming wilderness​

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office in north-central Wyoming said Grant Gardner texted his wife on the night of July 29, to let her know he reached the top of Cloud Peak.

Gardner “indicated the climb was more taxing than he expected and he was tired,” the sheriff’s office said, and he was planning to head to a lower elevation for the night. He hasn’t been heard from since.....

“In addition to high altitude and terrain challenges, difficult weather patterns including winds, thunder and lightning storms have made search efforts difficult at various times of the day.”

MPR News as of 8/5/25 Minnesota hiker missing in Wyoming

 

[GraceG]

Cloud Peak is just a tad over 13,000 feet. Cloud Peak - Wikipedia Some basic info for hikers here: Cloud Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost All trails info: Cloud Peak via Mistymoon Trail There it states "This is truly amazing hike, but not one to be taken lightly, even over two or three days" In reading the article on his being missing it did say that he planned for a 3 day hike, so he likely would have had gear to overnight along the way.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Family, Sheriff Hold Out Hope For Minnesota Man Missing A Week On Cloud Peak

If anyone could survive a week alone in the rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, it’s Grant Gardner. His wife Lauren said she’s…

cowboystatedaily.com

If anyone could survive a week alone in the rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness of Wyoming’s Bighorn Mountains, it’s Grant Gardner.

That’s what his family believes and it’s why his wife, Lauren Gardner, holds onto hope that her 38-year-old husband is still alive after his solo ascent of Cloud Peak on July 29.

He’s an experienced outdoorsman and is meticulous about being prepared and equipped when out in the wilderness, which is often, she told Cowboy State Daily on Tuesday.

He solo hikes, and he’s been hiking for over a decade,” she said from their home in Minnesota, where she’s with their two children, ages 13 and 11.

*****
“Given the length of time of the search is not of great concern,” the sheriff said. “We do a lot of computer modeling of these things … (which) indicates that, even with the weather, those models say he could be alive.

“We are in active search-and-rescue mode — not recovery.”

*****

See lengthy article for more.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

Man Found Dead In Montana River Wrongly Reported As Hiker Missing In Wyoming​

As a search for a Minnesota hiker missing in the remote Could Peak Wilderness of northern Wyoming continues, confusion over another missing man found dead in Montana has rubbed at already raw emotions.

Reports out of Big Horn County, Montana, about finding the body of a missing man in the Bighorn River caused a storm of speculation on social media that it was the man search and rescue teams are looking for in Wyoming.

Just an FYI some people are getting Grant Gardner's in Wyoming case mixed up with a somewhat similar case in Montana. I saw comments on social media where some were insisting Grant had been found deceased, which is Not true. The search for Grant is continuing.

Cowboy State Daily 8/7/25: Man Found Dead In Montana River Wrongly Reported

 

[FoxxTraxx]

No updates on Grant as of 8/10/25. Social media indicates he is still missing.

There's a 9-minute video on Youtube by Alpine Forensics about a potential search plan on Cloud Peak for Grant It's interesting but has some questionable statements so I am not posting a link.

 

[mlhenn]

Massive Search Continues For Minnesota Hiker Missing Since July 29

A massive search effort continues for a Minnesota man missing for nearly two weeks in the rugged Cloud Peak Wilderness of northern Wyoming. Grant Gardner,…

cowboystatedaily.com

Aug 11 2025

Although more time has now passed, the sheriff reiterated Monday that nobody has given up and that there has been a nationwide outpouring of offers to help.

 

[PrairieWind]

Still no news. Sad.
I hiked in that area nearly 25 years ago. It is rugged and remote. I hope that he can be found quickly. In a few weeks the weather will change drastically there. Just like the Austin King case.

 

[truthfinder2019]

According to Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn, the following are being employed to locate Gardner:

• Drones, equipped with cameras capable of “identifying colors and minute disturbances”
• Drones, helicopters and planes with FLIR capabilities.
• Bluetooth/cellphone detection equipment
• Dog tracking teams
• Horse and foot teams
• Wyoming National Guard
• Private Pilots
• First Flight of Wyoming
• Big Horn County, Johnson County, Sheridan County, Washakie County, Park County and Teton County search and rescue teams
• Big Horn County Dispatch
• Big Horn County Emergency Management
• Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
• Garmin GPS
• OnX Mapping
• U.S. Forest Service
• Big Horn National Forest personnel

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Search and rescue efforts for missing Bighorns hiker include cellphone detection, dog tracking, more

BASIN, Wyo. — The search for missing Bighorn Mountains hiker Grant Gardner of Minnesota, who was last heard from July 29 after summiting Cloud Peak in the

oilcity.news

At approximately 7:00 PM local time on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, Grant Gardner, a 38-year-old hiker from Minnesota, reached the summit of Cloud Peak in Wyoming's Bighorn Mountains. He texted his wife from the summit, describing the climb as more challenging than expected and expressing fatigue. This was the last known communication from him .

The weather conditions in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area on that day were reported to be severe, including high winds, thunderstorms, and lightning.

Gardner had planned a three-day hike through the Misty Moon Lake area, summiting Cloud Peak, and returning to his vehicle. His vehicle was found at the West Ten Sleep trailhead.

Hiker, 38, Missing for 7 Days in Wyoming Wilderness amid 'High Winds, Thunder and Lightning Storms'

38-year-old Grant Gardner from Minnesota has been missing in Wyoming since he texted his wife that his route was more 'taxing' than he expected on July 29

people.com

 

[truthfinder2019]

The main out-and-back route to Cloud Peak begins at the West Tensleep Trailhead, logging approximately 5,300 total feet of gain over 23 miles.

This site describes well the ascent and descent by another hiker.

Backpacking to Cloud Peak: The High Point of the Bighorn Mountains

A trail report covering the 23-mile trek to Cloud Peak, with travel tips for hikers and notes on responsible recreation. After two backpacking trips in the Wind River Range and half a dozen visits to Grand Teton National Park, I became keenly interested in exploring Wyoming’s lesser-traveled

travelwyoming.com

 

[Gophers_FTW]

The main out-and-back route to Cloud Peak begins at the West Tensleep Trailhead, logging approximately 5,300 total feet of gain over 23 miles.

This site describes well the ascent and descent by another hiker.

Backpacking to Cloud Peak: The High Point of the Bighorn Mountains

A trail report covering the 23-mile trek to Cloud Peak, with travel tips for hikers and notes on responsible recreation. After two backpacking trips in the Wind River Range and half a dozen visits to Grand Teton National Park, I became keenly interested in exploring Wyoming’s lesser-traveled

travelwyoming.com

Cool article. I climbed Cloud Peak decades ago on a Boy Scout trip. I remember those boulder fields and the trailhead. A few things he has going for him - no grizzly bears, and many lakes and streams for water which are full of small brook trout that are easy to catch IIRC. The Bighorns are no joke. I'm surprised he hasn't been found yet though.

 

[PrairieWind]

I haven't heard anything new. Seems to be no new updates. Not good news.

 

[Gophers_FTW]

No updates on Grant as of 8/10/25. Social media indicates he is still missing.

There's a 9-minute video on Youtube by Alpine Forensics about a potential search plan on Cloud Peak for Grant It's interesting but has some questionable statements so I am not posting a link.

Agreed on the questionable statements in the AF video. The ridge and cliff line that is the focus of much of that video is not where the primary route going to the peak is (map attached). I certainly hope Grant didn't go anywhere near those areas.

Below is a good YT video showing the landscape and route on the way up to Cloud Peak from the West Tensleep Trailhead. Also shows Mistymoon Lake. This would most likely be the general route that Grant would've gone as well.

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It is true that the primary route is fairly treacherous and not well-marked in spots, but an experienced person should be able to tell where the really dangerous areas are and which direction they need to go to get back down (IMO). I did this hike when I was in late middle school or early high school without much experience at all. I don't say this to downplay the hazards or the difficulty. It's just that there aren't that many options to travel once you're on the way up or down. The cliffs are obvious death zones that everyone should know to stay well away from.

 

[GraceG]

Agreed on the questionable statements in the AF video. The ridge and cliff line that is the focus of much of that video is not where the primary route going to the peak is (map attached). I certainly hope Grant didn't go anywhere near those areas.

Below is a good YT video showing the landscape and route on the way up to Cloud Peak from the West Tensleep Trailhead. Also shows Mistymoon Lake. This would most likely be the general route that Grant would've gone as well.

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It is true that the primary route is fairly treacherous and not well-marked in spots, but an experienced person should be able to tell where the really dangerous areas are and which direction they need to go to get back down (IMO). I did this hike when I was in late middle school or early high school without much experience at all. I don't say this to downplay the hazards or the difficulty. It's just that there aren't that many options to travel once you're on the way up or down. The cliffs are obvious death zones that everyone should know to stay well away from.

That's an amazing video. Thanks for sharing. I did some ametuer hiking in my youth, includingone of the "easier"14ers in Colorado (with others) but I don't think I'd have attempted coming down off of that late day. Those rock fields are something else

 

[Gophers_FTW]

Very sad.

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that they are suspending the active search and rescue operation for Gardner, saying “we have to face the reality that the most optimistic survival odds have run out.”

'The most optimistic survival odds have run out': Search for missing Minnesota hiker now recovery mission

"We hope clues will surface that will help bring a final closure to this tragedy in due time."

www.kare11.com

Grant is not the first person to disappear in this area. Celeste Hensley Grueb was reportedly last seen in the area near Mistymoon Lake on August 11, 1976 while her friends hiked up Cloud Peak. She was not found, despite an extensive search.

M

WY Thread 'Celeste Hensley 20 missing from Kaycee, Wyoming 1976'

May 14, 2019

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
Celeste Wyma Hensley Greub – The Charley Project

Celeste Wyma Hensley Greub

• 

Greub, circa 1976

• Missing Since08/10/1976
• Missing FromJohnson County, Wyoming
• ClassificationLost/Injured Missing
• Age20 years old
• Height and Weight5'2, 115 pounds
• Distinguishing CharacteristicsCaucasian female.

Details of Disappearance
Greub was last seen in the Cloud Peak Wilderness in the Bighorn...

• Moonwalker9
• Replies: 10
• Forum: 1970's Missing

• 

 

[Gophers_FTW]

That's an amazing video. Thanks for sharing. I did some ametuer hiking in my youth, includingone of the "easier"14ers in Colorado (with others) but I don't think I'd have attempted coming down off of that late day. Those rock fields are something else

Yes, the rock fields were certainly very challenging and would be a significantly worse hazard in bad conditions. But like the guy says in that video you get into a rhythm or flow and it distracted from the grueling hike.

The problem is that the last stretch to the top is on a narrow exposed ridge. And there are no easier routes down in any other direction from the peak. There is absolutely no shelter near the top and conditions can deteriorate quickly. He had to get off the top section and back across the most narrow stretch quickly or find a big rock to shelter under. There are no other tempting detours and no trees until you get back near Mistymoon Lake, and a person is basically funnelled into the right general direction naturally much of the way down. I think he may have been looking for the closest possible shelter and something happened. Options were very limited.

 

[Gophers_FTW]

Agreed on the questionable statements in the AF video. The ridge and cliff line that is the focus of much of that video is not where the primary route going to the peak is (map attached). I certainly hope Grant didn't go anywhere near those areas.

Below is a good YT video showing the landscape and route on the way up to Cloud Peak from the West Tensleep Trailhead. Also shows Mistymoon Lake. This would most likely be the general route that Grant would've gone as well.

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For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

It is true that the primary route is fairly treacherous and not well-marked in spots, but an experienced person should be able to tell where the really dangerous areas are and which direction they need to go to get back down (IMO). I did this hike when I was in late middle school or early high school without much experience at all. I don't say this to downplay the hazards or the difficulty. It's just that there aren't that many options to travel once you're on the way up or down. The cliffs are obvious death zones that everyone should know to stay well away from.

Note - I have come to learn that there are other viable routes down from the peak without climbing gear. Including one that goes down the other side of the ridge line and near the cliffs featured in the video you originally mentioned. These other routes would've been more difficult and less direct back to his campsite. But they are possible.

Here is a video from the alternate route.

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Another person has documented a descent down the north side of Cloud Peak. I did not think this was possible without ropes and climbing gear. This route would've been way out of his way and is not well-known - so unlikely that Grant would've done this.

Cloud Peak • Sunlit Summit

Trip reports and award-winning mountain photography by Eli Boardman from the Colorado 14ers, the Wyoming 13ers, high altitude mountaineering expeditions, and more!

sunlitsummit.com

 

[orchidaceaes]

Body Of Missing Minnesota Hiker Found, Recovered From Bighorn Mountains

The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office confirmed Thursday that the body of Grant Gardner, 38, has been found and recovered from Cloud Peak in the Bighorn…

cowboystatedaily.com

 

[PrairieWind]

Thank goodness he was found. I hope his family can take some comfort in being able to bring him home. My condolences.

 

[ch_13]

Body Of Missing Minnesota Hiker Found, Recovered From Bighorn Mountains

The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office confirmed Thursday that the body of Grant Gardner, 38, has been found and recovered from Cloud Peak in the Bighorn…

cowboystatedaily.com

From the article:
The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body of Grant Gardner, 38, was found on the northern route of Cloud Peak on Tuesday evening. Gardner had summited that peak on July 29, which was also the last time anyone had been in contact with him.

@Gophers_FTW had suggested that GG may have ended up on the north side and it seems like they were correct. It's a bit curious how GG ended up there. Maybe he became disoriented?

 

[KBlackRabbit]

That’s sad, but at least they found him.

7:00 pm is a very late time to summit. Even during the longest summer days my turnaround time for this kind of hike is no later than 3:00 pm.

It looks like he got confused and went the wrong way down.