Jackson Donlon, 20

Missing since: Oct 23, 2026

Last seen: October 23, 2026 - left the Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus with Kaden Matsuda for a planned hike of Ice Mountain in far northern Chaffee County, Colorado (via Winfield / County Road 390, Mt. Huron trailhead). Kaden's vehicle was found at the trailhead.

Investigating agency: Chaffee County Sheriff's Office

Official source: view the official record

Details: 20-year-old Colorado Mountain College (Leadville campus) student from New York, studying mountain guiding. The two left campus Friday, October 23, 2026, planning to return Saturday if conditions felt unsafe, or Sunday if they continued. Colorado Mountain College staff reported them missing Monday, October 26, at about 10:00 a.m. Kaden's vehicle was found at the Mt. Huron trailhead (about 8 inches of snow on the ground, none under the vehicle). On Tuesday, October 27, about 50 searchers from Teller, Lake, Chaffee, Arapahoe and Park County search and rescue teams, with dogs and aircraft, searched; shortly after 12:00 p.m. a helicopter spotted their tent collapsed near Lake Ann - sleeping bags, a stove, and clothing inside, no snow under the tent, no footprints around it. Ice Mountain received 1-2 feet of snow (3-4 feet in drifts) and is now ice-encased; the approach is virtually impossible on foot and there is nowhere for a helicopter to land. Neither phone had been used in 48 hours; cell service in the area is almost nonexistent and they may have powered off to save battery. Both men are described by family and friends as experienced hikers with appropriate clothing.