Hiker dies after fall in Blodgett Peak Open Space

Authorities confirm that a 28-year-old man from the Denver area died after a fall in a popular hiking area of northwest Colorado Springs.

He was identified Monday as Christopher Schumacher.

His body was found about midnight Saturday in a rocky area of Blodgett Peak Open Space.

Brian Kinsey, spokesman for El Paso County Search and Rescue, said his teams began assisting the Colorado Springs Fire Department at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Kinsey said the hiker went up a trail alone and did not return for dinner with relatives in town, as scheduled.

“It’s 3.5 miles from the trail head to the summit,” Kinsey said. “We didn’t have a lot of information to go on, initially. We had to start a broad-based search. He was off-trail in a large boulder field. He was pretty significantly injured when we reached him.”

Kinsey said changes along the trail caused by damage from the Waldo Canyon Fire, may have been a factor.

“A lot of the landmarks for anyone who may have (hiked here) before, have been erased,” he said. “The trail already was hard to navigate, and it’s even harder now.”

Teresa Burgess, a search team member, said hikers should never travel alone, especially in a steep, rugged area.

“(The hiker) was experienced and in good shape,” she said. “He liked to hike a lot. He had a backpack. He was somewhat prepared.”

The death surprised hikers who visited the area Sunday.

“I’ve never heard of anyone dying from an accident up here, said Warren Pierce. “And I’ve lived here 17 years. This is kind of a shock.”

The El Paso County Coroner’s Office recovered the hiker’s body at about 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The office will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The hiker’s relatives were at the search command post and declined to comment. Family members placed flowers at several places around the trail head.