Meredith Grant
Yellowstone National Park authorities are investigating the discovery of belongings belonging to two hikers who went missing three years ago in the park’s remote backcountry. Meredith Grant, 23, and Emma Reed, a junior nurse, vanished during a planned week-long hiking trip in July 2004, sparking an extensive search that initially yielded no clues.
The pair, both experienced hikers from Colorado, were last seen entering the Blacktail Plateau, an area known for its dense forests and minimal visitor traffic. Friends described them as careful and prepared, with maps, rations, and sleeping equipment sufficient for a seven-day excursion. They were last in contact with family via a brief text and photograph sent shortly after setting out, reporting that all was well.
After failing to return on their planned date, rangers launched a search. Despite weeks of efforts, which included tracking dogs and patrols through challenging terrain, no evidence of the hikers was found at the time. The disappearance puzzled authorities, as both were experienced outdoors enthusiasts and had no history of reckless behaviour.
The case resurfaced recently when park staff discovered backpacks belonging to Grant and Reed beneath a fallen tree in a remote section of the plateau. Officials have not disclosed whether the hikers’ remains were present or the condition of the items, citing ongoing investigation protocols. Yellowstone National Park officials stressed that the area remains treacherous, with sudden drops, dense undergrowth, and limited communication coverage. Investigators are piecing together how the teens may have become lost and whether environmental factors contributed to their disappearance.
The discovery has reignited questions about safety in America’s wilderness and the challenges of searching vast, sparsely populated national parks. Authorities continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information about the hikers’ movements prior to their disappearance. No further details about the next steps in the investigation have been released, but park officials confirmed the probe remains active as they work to understand one of Yellowstone’s most enduring mysteries.
