Search Underway For Missing Trailrunner In American Fork Canyon

AMERICAN FORK, Utah – Friends and strangers alike have been searching for a Pleasant Grove man who went for a trail run Wednesday and didn’t return.

Derrik Jenkins, of Pleasant Grove, parked at Granite Flats Campground at approximately 5 p.m. Oct. 31. He was expected to return home at about 9 p.m. but never did.

Utah County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team went out Thursday afternoon on foot and by air to look for Jenkins and resumed efforts Friday morning.

His best friend, Jonathon Scott, said he wasn’t sure which peak Jenkins was going to, but he thinks it may have been East Box Elder Peak, Silver Lake Peak, Pine Hollow or White Baldy Peak. All of those destinations can be accessed from American Fork Canyon.

Scott’s been at the campground coordinating efforts throughout the night.

“Right now I have buddies, mutual friends, and strong mountaineers on the mountain looking for him,” he said.

Scott also hit the trail to look for his friend, saying he found day-old tracks in the snow. However, conditions were too icy for him to continue looking.

He was at Granite Flats Campground throughout the night coordinating volunteer efforts.

“Mostly we’re just trying to support those going up,” Scott said. “Whether that’s food or blankets or maybe we’ll make a fire up there a little later.”

Scott said Jenkins has been trailrunning for at about two years and he’s very proficient in the mountains. However, he’s concerned Jenkins wasn’t dressed for overnight conditions.

“No matter which peak he did, it would have been around 11,000 feet, so we’re talking pretty extreme conditions,” he said. “As far as a trailrunner, he’d be wearing trailrunning clothes. He wouldn’t have been too overdressed.”

Anyone who may have information on Jenkins is urged to contact the Utah County Sheriff’s Office at 801-794-3970.