Search Crews Find 21-Year-Old Missing Hiker's Body

BAILEY, Colo. (CBS4)- Search crews searching for a young man who went hiking Wednesday afternoon-- found his body on Thursday afternoon.

Nicholas Coates (credit: Jeffco Sheriff)

Nicholas Coates went out for a short hike about 4 p.m. Wednesday from his home near a trail head east of Bailey.

(credit: CBS)

Coates, 21, did not leave a note as to when he would be returning. He also did not tell anyone his destination.

Authorities said there was no indication of what may have caused his death. The coroner will conduct an investigation into the manner of his death.

Search crews prepare to search for missing hiker Nicholas Coates (credit: Jeffco Sheriff)

Temperatures hovered around freezing overnight and it snowed a little bit but most of that snow had melted by morning.

Search crews started their search at 7:30 a.m. and include members from Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Alpine Rescue teams, North Fork Fire, Park County K-9, and a Lifeguard 1 Helicopter. His body was found just before noon on Thursday.

A helicopter joined the search for Nicholas Coates (credit: Jeffco Sheriff)

Coates was a student at the Colorado School of Mines.

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