A pilot died on Montana Mountain in Gilpin County this afternoon, as crews struggled for hours to reach the rugged site at 9,000 feet.
The passenger in the private single-engine Cessna was lifted off the mountain more than three hours after the 4 p.m. crash by an Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopter from Buckley Air Force Base, as ground crews continued to try to reach the site before 8 p.m.
Officials have not identified either man. The plane was reportedly flying from Glenwood Springs to Boulder.
Cherokee Blake, a spokeswoman for the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office, said the men’s families are still being contacted.
Blake said the pilot was 55 years old, with a 23-year-old passenger. The passenger was taken to St. Anthony Central, but his condition is not known this evening.
The crash site is about four miles west of Black Hawk.
The weather was clear and sunny when the plane crashed, but wind and threatening clouds swept in, hampering efforts as rescuers plotted to reach the site by land and air. Montana Mountain in Elk Park rises to 10,938 feet in elevation.
The rugged landing terrain kept rescue helicopters at bay, rescue crews, including the Gilpin County Road and Bridge Department, were trying to cut routes across the snow and heavy brush, according to scanner communications.
“It’s in rugged backcountry where there’s lots of snow,” said a sheriff’s dispatcher.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Mike McPhee: 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com
