TELLURIDE – A hiker missing in Southwest Colorado for over two weeks died of an apparent fall.
San Miguel County Sheriff Bill Masters said the body of 55-year-old Tim Cannon was found July 26 on Ruffner Mountain, about 10 miles northwest of Telluride in the Mount Sneffels Wilderness after being spotted by a pilot.
The experienced local hiker left home on July 8, telling his wife he planned to spend the day climbing Iron Mountain, another nearby peak.
An extensive search involving drones, aircraft, search parties and the K-9 Search and Rescue team of Dolores was launched after Cannon failed to come home, galvanizing the community.
Ruffner Mountain was previously searched from the air and ground, but Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Susan Lilly said the rough terrain and Cannon’s dark clothing made it difficult to find him.
In an unrelated search, the Sheriff’s Office reported on July 26 that a missing hiker walked out on his own, claimed no injuries and was debriefed by Dolores County officials. He stated that he took a wrong turn and spent the night in the backcountry.
According to the sheriff’s Facebook page, dispatchers received a call just after 6 p.m. on July 26 that a man identified as Joel Brown left Montrose at 5 a.m. to hike Lizard Head trail and was overdue to return home.
His car was found by deputies at the Lizard Head trailhead.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
