Rescue teams enter 2nd day of search for hiker near Mount Herman

For the second day in a row, El Paso County Search and Rescue teams headed back out into Pike National Forest looking for a missing hiker.

Kevin Rudnicki, 20, went for a hike Sunday morning near Mount Herman but didn’t return that night. By noon on Monday, search and rescue crews had started scouring the terrain, but by nightfall, they came up empty-handed.

When the sun came up Tuesday, the parking lot near Red Rocks Trailhead filled with volunteers and family friends who wanted to look for Rudnicki. His mother, Melissa Reynolds, said he was known for hiking the area and not always sticking to the trail.

Krista Morales, a nurse, was among the group of four women with Reynolds. She said, “We’re just heartbroken and want to see him come home safe.”

Even though Rudnicki has been gone for almost 48 hours as of Tuesday, Reynolds is hopeful she’ll find him off the beaten path. “We’re optimistic and we’re hopeful we’re going to find him. We looked at maps last night when we got home and we have a good feeling of where to start.”

She said her group was heading toward Balanced Rock Road, a hike that might take a few hours to get to.

El Paso, Fremont, and Douglas counties have volunteered their K-9 units for the search.

“When the K-9’s have what we could call a hit on something, they will follow those paths and see where it takes us,” said Jacqueline Kirby with the El Paso County Sheriff’s office.

The dogs were given an article of clothing to get them started on their search.

Reynolds thinks her son is hurt somewhere and needs help in order for him to come home. She says, “I’m going to bring my son home today. I think he’s hurt, he’s probably confused. He’s probably dehydrated. He’s hungry, so we need to find him and bring him home.”

Wednesday’s search efforts depend on Tuesday’s findings. Rudnicki was last seen wearing a green t-shirt and cargo shorts. He has short curly red hair with a Wyoming Baseball cap and a tan military boots.