Search Teams Recover Body of Missing 23-Year-Old Twin Cities Hiker After 3 Month Search

Red Lodge, MT (MinnesotaNow)- Authorities in Montana have recovered the body of a young hiker from Minnesota after a multi-month search. 

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Red Lodge Fire and Rescue reported recovering the Twin Cities man’s body on Tuesday. 

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Search Teams Recover Body of 23-Year-Old Minnesota Hiker Pulled into Montana Creek in June

23-year-old Tim Sandford was last seen June 8 when he was swept into East Rosebud Creek at the outlet of Rimrock Lake, which is in southwestern Montana north of Yellowstone National Park. 

He was hiking along the popular “Beaten Path” trial when he was swept off his feet and into rushing water, authorities said. 

Red Lodge Fire and Rescue reported recovering Sandford's body about 1500 feet downstream from where he was pulled in. Search teams using a drone spotted his body and members of the U.S. Water Rescue Dive Team retrieved the young man. 

Search teams fought steep and rugged terrain, fast moving waters, boulders, logs and waterfalls during the three month search. 

Lower water levels in the late summer improved accessibility and visibility for search personnel, officials said.  

“After more than three months of dedicated search operations and hundreds of hours of volunteer time, we are grateful to finally be able to bring Tim home to his family,” said Chief Tom Kuntz of Red Lodge Fire Rescue. 

Sandford is the second Minnesotan to die while hiking the “Beaten Path” trial this year. In July, Montana State student Dylan Honnell drowned after being swept into the rushing water. 

Read More: Crews Recover Body of Young Minnesota Hiker in Montana Wilderness 

Red Lodge Fire and Rescue says flooding in 2022 took out a bridge, forcing hikers to cross the creek by foot. Officials anticipate a new bridge in the area to be completed by next month.