66-Year-Old Fort Collins Hiker Found Dead After Fall in Rocky Mountain National Park

A 66-year-old woman from Fort Collins tragically died after an apparent fall while hiking near Chasm Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. She was reported overdue on the night of July 1 after failing to return from a planned day hike, and her body was found the next morning on a steep scree slope on the south side of the lake. The park's Search and Rescue team, assisted by the Mesa Verde Interagency Helitak crew, conducted a challenging recovery operation involving a long line lift to transport her remains to the Upper Beaver Meadows helipad. The body was then transferred to the Boulder County Coroner's Office, which will release her identity after notifying next of kin. Officials highlighted the difficult terrain and urged hikers to be prepared for the unpredictable conditions in the mountainous region. The exact cause of the fall remains under investigation.