Authorities in Rocky Mountain National Park have found a 34-year-old New York man missing off Trail Ridge Road since Tuesday.

Jay Starr Jr., from Cohoes, N.Y., was located by park rangers on Trail Ridge Road just east of Ute Crossing late Thursday afternoon. At 4:15 p.m. he was flown by Flight for Life to Medical Center of the Rockies.

He was in fair condition Thursday evening.

Starr contacted rangers on Monday when he entered the national park on foot, telling them he planned to walk over Trail Ridge Road.

Rangers advised Starr against his plans because of his behavior and lack of preparedness, the park said. Starr was wearing tennis shoes, jeans or tan canvas pants, a jacket, no hat or gloves and was carrying a plastic grocery bag.

On Tuesday, rangers on skis contacted Starr on Trail Ridge Road and were attempting to assist him when he fled, eluding rangers until darkness fell, the park said in a news release.

“He began running away from them on dry asphalt so it was difficult for them to follow him with skis and ski boots,” Kyle Patterson, a park spokeswoman, said. “Rangers’ requests to him to stop were ignored and he continued running.”

Efforts to find Starr on Wednesday were unsuccessful. The search resumed Thursday when a helicopter joined the rescue party. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers on all terrain vehicles are also assisting rangers.

“He did not appear to realize the totality of the conditions he would face if he continued west on Trail Ridge Road, which concerned rangers further,” Patterson said.

Patterson said officials were able to identify Starr based on information he provided when rangers first contacted him. Starr’s relatives have been contacted and informed of the search.

Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the country with its highest point reaching 12,183 feet, according to the park. The road closed to vehicles on Nov. 4 because of winter conditions.

Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JesseAPaul