Stephen Meyers

stephenmeyers@coloradoan.com

The Larimer County Coroner's Office ruled Thursday the 33-year-old male hiker found dead Wednesday near Alberta Falls in Rocky Mountain National Park died by suicide.

Seven people have died in Rocky Mountain National Park this year, two by suicide. The previous suicide death was July 25, when an 18-year-old man from Lenexa, Kansas, died on Longs Peak.

The 33-year-old man's body was discovered at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday near Glacier Creek at the base of a rock outcropping 200 feet down from Alberta Falls, park spokeswoman Kyle Patterson said.

Alberta Falls is one of the most visited hiking trails in the popular Bear Lake area of Rocky Mountain National Park.

Xplore reporter Stephen Meyers covers the outdoors and recreation for the Coloradoan. Follow him on Twitter @stemeyer or Facebook.com/meyersreports.

2014 deaths in Rocky Mountain National Park

Jan. 7: Donald Raymond Belew, 74, of Fort Collins, heart attack while snowshoeing near Mills Lake.

June 9: Matthew Burklow, 25, of Fort Collins, fell from Longs Peak.

July 11: Rebecca Teilhet, 42, Yellow Spring, Ohio, lightning strike on Ute Crossing Trail.

July 12: Gregory Cardwell, 52, of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, lighting strike on Rainbow Curve Overlook.

July 15: Patricia Briggs, 67, of Cedar Creek, Texas, heart attack on Trail Ridge Road.

July 25: 18-year-old man, of Lenexa, Kansas, death by suicide on Longs Peak.

Sept. 18: 33-year-old man, death by suicide near Alberta Falls.

Signs of suicide

• Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself.

• Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, pills or other means.

• Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person.

• Feeling hopeless.

• Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge.

• Acting recklessly or engaging in risky activities.

• Feeling trapped — like there's no way out.

• Increasing alcohol or drug use.

• Withdrawing from friends, family, society.

Resources

• Toll-free hotline: (800) 273-TALK (8255)

• Connections: (970) 221-5551

• Touchstone Health Partners (formerly Larimer Center for Mental Health): (970) 221-2114