Grant Gardner biography: Grant Gardner was an experienced outdoorsman and hiker from Lakeville, Minnesota, known for his passion for adventure and love for nature. In July 2025, his solo hiking trip to Wyoming’s Cloud Peak Wilderness tragically ended in his death, sparking widespread attention and a large-scale search and rescue operation.
Early Life
Grant Gardner was born and raised in Minnesota, where he developed an early appreciation for outdoor activities. He spent much of his youth exploring nature trails, camping with friends and family, and learning essential survival skills. These experiences laid the foundation for his lifelong love of hiking and adventure. He passed away at 38.
Career
While detailed public information about his professional career remains limited, Grant Gardner was widely described as a responsible and committed individual. Outside of his work life, he was an avid hiker who often planned trips to challenging terrains, demonstrating a deep respect for nature and adventure sports.
Personal Life
Grant Gardner was married to Lauren Gardner, and together they had two children, aged 11 and 13 at the time of his death. Friends and family remember him as a loving husband, a devoted father, and someone who prioritized his family even while pursuing his passion for hiking. He was active in his community and often encouraged others to enjoy outdoor life safely.
Death and Accident
On July 29, 2025, Grant Gardner set out on a solo hiking expedition in Wyoming’s Cloud Peak Wilderness, aiming to summit Cloud Peak, the highest point in the Bighorn Mountains. That day, he sent a message to his wife from the summit, stating the climb was more difficult than expected and that he felt tired. This was the last communication anyone received from him.
When Grant failed to return to his vehicle at the West Ten Sleep Trailhead, search efforts began on August 1, 2025. For over three weeks, search and rescue teams, helicopters, and volunteers scoured the rugged terrain, but the search was suspended around August 21 without success.
On August 26, a professional climbing team from North Carolina spotted a reflection under a ledge near Cloud Peak believed to be his backpack. They alerted authorities, and on August 27, search crews confirmed his remains were found near that spot. The recovery was described as difficult and dangerous due to the steep terrain.
Authorities ruled out foul play, concluding that Grant Gardner likely died due to an accidental fall or exhaustion during his descent. His death highlighted both the beauty and danger of solo expeditions in high-altitude wilderness areas.
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