Authorities in Clackamas County, Oregon, are maintaining an intensive search operation to locate Ralph Sawyer, a 52-year-old mountain biker enthusiast, who was reported missing Friday after failing to return from a planned biking trip near Mount Hood.

According to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Sawyer left his home Friday morning for a mountain bike ride, but did not return at the scheduled time of around 8:30 pm, leading his family to report him missing around 10:30 pm

Initial Findings and Search Outreach

Shortly after the search began, authorities located Sawyer's vehicle, a blue Kia Soul, at 12:15 am Saturday, with his cell phone inside. Since then, efforts have focused on the area between East Still Creed Road, Veda Lake and Kinzel Lake, as well as logging roads near Trillium Lake, about 40 miles southeast of Portland.

The sheriff said Sawyer is an experienced cyclist with extensive knowledge of the terrain, which, however, has not stopped crews from intensifying their efforts to find him as quickly as possible.

Resources Deployed

About 40 people participated in the operation on Saturday, a number that increased to about 70 volunteers and rescue personnel on Sunday. The search includes the use of all-terrain vehicles, drones, canine units, and foot patrol.

Sawyer was last seen wearing an orange bicycle helmet, a blue shirt, and black shorts and is described as 6-foot-1 with brown hair.

Authorities are urging anyone with information that may lead to Sawyer's whereabouts to immediately contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.