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Colorado Parks and Wildlife Reports: Missing Hiker Found Safe Near Fishers Peak State Park After Overnight Search
Description: A missing hiker was located safe today at 6 a.m. along I-25 near Fishers Peak State Park. A combined search involving Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers, Las Animas County Sheriff’s Deputies, Fishers Peak Fire Protection District and Hoehne Fire Protection District was launched after fellow hikers reported the individual overdue at the trailhead after descending from the peak on March 5, 2026... Read the Full Press Release from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife...
Missing Hiker Located Safe Near Fishers Peak State Park
Las Animas County, Colo. – A missing hiker was located, safe, but cold, walking along I-25 near Fishers Peak State Park today at approximately 6 a.m. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers and local first responders launched search efforts Thursday after a 911 call from fellow hikers at approximately 6 p.m.
The hiker was overdue at the trailhead after reportedly choosing an off-trail return route, separating from the main group at approximately 4 p.m. Parks and Wildlife officers were on-scene searching by 6:15 p.m. Thursday. They were joined by Las Animas County Sheriff’s Deputies and the Fishers Peak Fire Protection District. Fishers Peak FPD requested assistance from the Hoehne Fire Protection District and a unified command was established.
The vehicle-based search was augmented by a drone with a thermal camera and voice-broadcast capability operated by the firefighters. Search efforts were paused just before midnight Thursday and set to resume at 7 a.m. today. Temperatures in the park dropped to 28 degrees overnight.
Unified Incident Command Drone Operations - Darren Kolakowski, Chief of the Hoehne Fire Protection District, monitors live drone imagery on March 5 from the unified incident command center, CPW Photo
“This is the best possible outcome, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife is grateful to our community first responders who were at our side throughout this response,” said Crystal Dreiling, Fishers Peak State Park Manager. “While the hiker was found safe, this incident is an important reminder to stay on marked trails and to plan outdoor activities with consideration for weather, communications, and food and water requirements.”
First responders stated that departing designated trails significantly diminishes timely, or positive outcomes, in efforts to locate missing hikers. Fishers Peak State Park regulations require hikers to stay on marked trails.
Fishers Peak Halfway Point Safety Sign - The Osita Point Trail to Fishers Peak highlights key safety considerations for those considering continuing to the summit, CPW Photo
“We appreciate the readiness and willingness of local first responders, search and rescue volunteers, and partner agencies to assist when called upon,” said Darren Kolakowski, Chief of the Hoehne Fire Protection District.
Fishers Peak is Colorado's second-largest state park at 19,200 acres and is located on the east side of I-25. Centered around the iconic 9,633-foot Fishers Peak, it focuses on rugged hiking and mountain biking.
