Bodies Of 2 Missing Colorado Hikers Found

BUENA VISTA, Colo. (CBS4/AP) - Chaffee County authorities say the bodies of a man and his daughter have been found days after the two hikers were reported missing on a trip on Mount Missouri.

The Chaffee County Sheriff's Office says the bodies are believed to be the remains of Michael von Gortler, and his daughter, 20-year-old University of Colorado student Makana von Gortler.

Their family last heard from them on June 21.

Authorities believe they started hiking around 11 a.m., a very late start. Hikers are typically advised to start hikes around sunrise. Witnesses say saw the father and daughter team around 11:30 a.m. still well below tree line.

The coroner has now began an investigation into the deaths.

June 22 was a fairly mild day and conditions were ideal for a hike.

"It hasn't been any kind of atrocious weather. And the other thing is both of these people were experienced hikers," Chaffee County Sheriff Pete Palmer said.

Palmer says the deaths are a complete mystery. While steep, the Missouri Mountain Trail is only ranked as a Type 2 climb, which is fairly mild. Authorities say it didn't appear that the two had taken a fall.

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