Vanished in the Rockies: The Search for Russell Hardy
Lost on the Mountain: Russell Hardy’s Disappearance Shakes Colorado
Missing person in Colorado. A hiking trip to Colorado has turned into a nightmare. Fifty-five-year-old Russell Hardy came to Colorado Springs from New Hampshire to conquer Pikes Peak. He never made it back. His family is desperate. Search crews are scrambling. And time is running out.
Russell Hardy: A Hiker’s Dream, A Family’s Worst Fear
Russell Hardy flew to Colorado on June 10, 2025. He planned to hike Pikes Peak alone. Two days later, he was supposed to return home. That never happened. When his family couldn’t reach him, they knew something was wrong.
He was last seen in blue jeans and a black T-shirt. He carried a black LL Bean backpack. Russell is 5’11”, weighs about 230 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes.
The Car, The Clue, The Silence
Russell rented a gray 2025 Toyota RAV4 with Colorado plates (DXDT30). Searchers found the car parked at the Crags Trailhead. That’s a popular access point for hikers attempting the western route of Pikes Peak. It’s rugged terrain. Beautiful. But dangerous if unprepared or injured.
A photo shared online suggests Russell may have reached the Crystal Creek Reservoir or nearby. That’s within reach of the Crags area. Still, no one has confirmed seeing him. No calls. No messages. Just silence.
Search Teams on the Ground
El Paso and Teller County Search and Rescue units are working nonstop. Crews are covering trails, ridges, and remote forest. Helicopters sweep the air. K9 teams comb the underbrush. Hopes are high, but the terrain is vast and unforgiving.
The weather has complicated things. Afternoon storms roll in quickly. Slippery rocks, sudden drops, and thin air make each hour more urgent. Every step matters. Every second counts.
Why This Search Matters
Russell isn’t just a hiker. He’s a father, a husband, a friend. He has people waiting for him back home. They refuse to give up. The searchers refuse to stop. But they need help.
Someone may have passed him. Someone may have seen something odd—a man off trail, a backpack alone, footprints in the wrong place. Even a small memory could change everything.
What You Can Do
Were you near the Crags Trailhead recently? Did you hike Crystal Creek Reservoir after June 10? Did you notice anything unusual?
Check your photos. Review your GPS logs. Share the flyer. One detail could bring Russell home.
If you have any information, contact the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office immediately. Help bring Russell Hardy back to his family.
He Came for the Mountains. Let’s Bring Him Home.
Russell Hardy came seeking beauty, peace, and challenge. He didn’t plan to disappear. His story deserves an ending. With your help, that ending can be one of hope—not heartbreak.
