Hiker is swept away after fall into rushing creek, MT rescuers say. Search is on
A search is underway for a hiker who vanished after being swept away in a rushing creek, Montana rescuers say.
The hiker fell into East Rosebud Creek while trying to cross “Rimrock Lake while hiking the Beaten Path from East Rosebud Lake to Cooke City” at about 12:15 p.m. Sunday, June 8, Red Lodge Fire Rescue said in a Facebook post.
The hiker’s companion notified a nearby forest service crew about the missing hiker, who then contacted authorities at about 12:50 p.m., the organization said.
Rescuers said they scoured the area by foot while the Montana Army National Guard searched the creek overheard in helicopters.
However, rescuers could not find the missing hiker.
Rescuers said they and multiple other agencies, including the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office, are continuing to search for the hiker on the ground and by air with a drone.
“We are utilizing all available resources but unfortunately the high water makes visibility and access challenging,” Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan said in the Facebook post. “The terrain is rugged and remote and the safety of searchers is our primary concern.”
The hiker fell in the same area as a 20-year-old backpacker from Montana State University last July whose body was found weeks after he was swept away, rescuers said.
“Emergency personnel strongly recommend that hikers NOT attempt to cross the creek at Rimrock Lake during high water,” rescuers said.
East Rosebud Creek is about an 75-mile drive southwest from Billings.
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 3:18 PM with the headline "Hiker is swept away after fall into rushing creek, MT rescuers say. Search is on."
