Man missing in Cloud Peak Wilderness area

SHERIDAN (WNE) — A man has reportedly gone missing in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area as of August 1.

According to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, information was received Aug 1. regarding an overdue hiker in the Cloud Peak Wilderness area.

Grant Gardner of Minnesota had planned a three day hike through the Misty Moon Lake area, eventually summiting Cloud Peak. According to the sheriff’s office, Gardner made contact with his wife on the evening of July 29, letting her know he’d made it to the summit. There has been no contact with Gardner since that time.

Phone records show he summited the 13,000 foot climb around 9 p.m. July 29 and was preparing to head to a lower elevation for the night. A text sent to his wife at the summit indicated the climb was more taxing than he expected, and he was tired.

Search efforts underway since August 1 have included search and rescue teams from Teton County, South Big Horn County, Sheridan County and Park County, First Flight of Wyoming, Wyoming National Guard and private aircraft, as well as tracking dogs from various organizations around the state. 

In addition to high altitude and terrain challenges, difficult weather patterns including wind, thunder and lightning storms have made search efforts difficult at various times.

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office is requesting anyone who may have had contact with Garnder to report to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office at (307) 568-2324 or the Wyoming Missing Person Tip Line through the Wyoming DCI website. 

This story was published on August 5, 2025.