Search Efforts continue for Missing Hiker in East Rosebud Creek
Edited Red Lodge Fire Rescue press release
Red Lodge Fire Rescue (RLFR) Search and Rescue personnel and the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office are actively searching for a 20 year old male Montana State University student from Minnesota who was swept away by the current on Friday, July 12, while crossing East Rosebud Creek north of Rimrock Lake in the Beartooth Mountains. The college student was attempting to cross the creek with a friend when he slipped on a log and was quickly carried downstream by the current, over the rapids and out of sight.
A Search and Rescue (SAR) hasty team immediately deployed to the area to perform air and ground searches. The area from Elk Lake to Rimrock Lake was searched extensively on Friday July 12th from the air by the Montana Army National Guard and RLFR personnel. A few items were spotted during the flight however the items are located in an area which is very difficult to access on foot. The area remains a focus of the operation.
SAR personnel, the RLFR drone team, and Two Bear Air Rescue have continued the search efforts but have been unable to locate the missing hiker. Search and Rescue leaders continue to make plans to safely search the very hazardous and rugged terrain which has a limited line of sight due to whitewater and extensive areas that are inaccessible on foot.
The students were hiking in the Beartooth wilderness on a trail known as the Beaten Path, which runs between East Rosebud Lake and Cooke City Montana. The bridge at Rimrock Lake and the trail between Elk Lake and Rimrock Lake were washed out during the flood in 2022. Crossing the creek without the bridge is extremely hazardous. Beartooth Ranger District crews are working on the trail between Elk Lake and Rimrock Lake this summer and hope to rebuild the bridge in the summer of 2025.
The missing student has been identified and the Carbon County Sheriff's Office has been in contact with his family. More information will be made available in the near future. The Sheriff asks if you have any information about the whereabouts of the missing hiker that you call the Sheriff’s Office at 406-446-1234.