A Park City, Utah woman went missing after taking a hiking trip in Ketchum, Idaho.
Fern Baird last put in an appearance signing in at the Prairie Creek trailhead north of Ketchum on Monday, Oct. 19 at about 1 p.m., KUTV reported. The 62-year-old hiker left her black Subaru in the Prairie Creek parking area.
Multiple Hiking Paths
Baird’s family reported her missing on Thursday. The family has offered a $25,000 reward for any information that enables Baird’s safe return.
“We are continuing to seek information from the public,” Sheriff Steve Harkins said in a press release. “We are interested in speaking with an unknown Boise couple and also a party of five hikers from Tulsa, Oklahoma that both hiked either the West Fork drainage of Prairie Creek or to Prairie Lake on October 19, 2020. These individuals may have information or saw Baird hiking that day.”
The sheriff’s office told KUTV that Baird could have pursued multiple hiking paths. So far, their search has spanned the Prairie Lakes, Minor Lakes, Norton Lakes and Mill Lake areas. Those boast elevations ranging from 7,100 feet to 9,200 feet.
Searchers on foot, motorcycles and horseback have joined K9 search teams, Idaho National Guard helicopters and two drones in hunting for Baird.
The teams have continued their search even with wintry weather and freezing overnight temperatures.
Not Ready to Give Up
According to the Idaho Statesman, Baird may be wearing a gray jacket, black pants and a black fanny pack. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 115 pounds.
Baird is an experienced hiker. Still, she is not used to technical hikes or mountaineering.
Chief Deputy Will Fruehling told the Idaho Mountain Express that the four inches of snow have hindered the search.
“We haven’t found any sign of her,” he said. “But we’re going to keep looking. We’re not ready to give up yet.”
Anyone with information about Baird is encouraged to contact Blaine County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Mike Abaid at (208)578-3371 or [email protected]
