A ground search entered day two at Rocky Mountain National Park for a Colorado man who went missing last Saturday/NPS HO

Searchers returned to the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park on Saturday to resume their hunt for a Colorado man missing since last weekend when he summited the park's second-highest peak.

Brian Joseph Perri, 38, of Fort Collins, texted a friend a picture from the 13,916-foot summit of Mount Meeker last Saturday. On Thursday, police contacted the park to say the man had been reported missing. Rangers then located Perri’s car in the parking lot at the Sandbeach Lake Trailhead. 

After a fruitless day of searching Friday, more than 40 crews went in on foot Saturday morning to look for the man. Northern Colorado Helitack was supporting the search efforts. Teams were concentrated on ridge lines and couloirs, including the Loft Route via Keplinger’s Couloir, the Dragon’s Egg Couloir and Meeker Ridge, as well as lower sections of Mount Meeker.  

Perri was day hiking and was expected out last Saturday. Perri’s destination was believed to be the summit of Mount Meeker. This would be approximately 14 miles round trip from the location of his car.  In the photograph he texted, he was wearing a tan full brim hat, sunglasses, and red backpack. He has minimal equipment and may have a yellow rain jacket and yellow orange puffy jacket. He had no known tent or camping equipment.  

Park rangers would like to hear from anyone who has been in the Mount Meeker area since Saturday, June 30, especially those who noticed abandoned gear or other clues. Please call (970) 586-1204.