Search Intensifies for Colorado Hiker Missing in Utah

The search for a Colorado woman who vanished while hiking intensified Saturday, with more crews arriving in southern Utah to join the hunt.

Rose Backhaus, 54, of New Castle, Colo., was last heard from on Nov. 16. Her family reported her missing after she didn't return from a hiking trip.

The Emery County Sheriff's Office is focusing on the Goblin Valley State Park area in Saturday's search.

Emery County Sheriff's dispatcher Maureen Copatch told FOXNews.com that she wasn't aware of any leads and foul play isn't suspected in Backhaus' disappearance.

Copatch said the missing hiker's family had come to southern Utah during the search.

The hiker's SUV was found Monday near the Little Wild Horse Canyon trailhead in the park. The popular canyon trail is known for its narrow slot canyons.

The search since Monday has included a helicopter, off-road vehicles and dogs.

Emery County authorities asked anyone who was in Goblin Valley State Park between Nov. 16 and Monday to contact them at (435) 381-2404, The Denver Post reported.

Sheriff Lamar Guymon is particularly interested in those who might have seen Backhaus hiking or spotted her maroon 2004 Explorer, according to the paper.

It was Backhaus' first trip to Goblin Valley State Park, friends told the Post.

Backhaus left handwritten notes in her car that said she'd just arrived at the park Nov. 16 after hiking near Moab, Utah, and was happy to be there, the paper reported.

"She said it was warm, nice and something new," said Guymon.

Backhaus is described as 5-foot-7 and 140 pounds with blue eyes and brown, curly hair.

The 3,600-acre state park near Hanksville is about 230 miles southeast of Salt Lake City.

Click here for more on this story from The Denver Post.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.