The search for a man who attacked two female hikers with a knife continued today.
The women were attacked about 11 a.m. on Sunday while hiking the Signal Mountain Trail, near the Comanche Peak Wilderness Area.
Larimer County sheriff’s spokeswoman Eloise Campanella, said that the two women were 40 minutes up the remote trail when they were attacked.
The women, ages 46 and 38, were able to fight off their assailant with a hiking stick.
A private vehicle transported one woman to Poudre Valley Hospital. She suffered defensive cuts to her hands and shoulder that required stitches, Campanella said.
“Based on what he said (to the victims), there is no doubt in our minds that it would have been a sexual assault,” Campanella said.
Roadblocks were put up almost immediately after the attack Sunday. Today, Larimer County deputies are searching on foot and on ATVs. A K-9 patrol was called in to assist the deputies.
Campanella said the suspect was 5-foot-10 with a husky build and ponytail. He might have cuts and abrasions where he was hit by the walking stick.
A gray camouflage mask covered the suspect’s face and head. Campanella said this eliminates the possibility of releasing a composite sketch of him.
Campanella said that she could not recall the last time an incident such as this happened in the area. Larimer County Sheriff James Alderden is encouraging people to hike in pairs and anyone with information on the attack to contact investigators.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1638 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
