Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue members on ridge line Perri Search July 7 2018/NPS

While ground crews returned to the backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park on Sunday to continue their search for a missing day hiker, "eyes in the sky" were lost as air support was diverted to battle wildfires elsewhere in Colorado.

Brian Perri, of Fort Collins, Colorado, made it to the summit of 13,911-foot Mount Meeker on June 30, but has not been seen since. Park staff was alerted last Thursday that he had not returned from what was to be a day hike, and search-and-rescue efforts got under way in earnest on Friday.

The search for a missing day hiker in Rocky Mountain National Park, Brian Perri, entered day three on Sunday/NPS handout

Joining the personnel in the field was a dog team from Larimer County Search and Rescue. Search efforts were concentrated on the north face of Mount Meeker and the lower elevations in and around Hunters Creek and Lookout Mountain.   

Perri's destination on June 30 was believed to be the summit of Mount Meeker. That 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.