DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. -- An abandoned car belonging to a missing Castle Rock woman was found on the side of Jackson Creek Road Saturday night.

Douglas County search and rescue crews combed through the area all day Sunday in the 9000 block of Jackson Creek Road where 52-year-old Carolyn Gjendem's Chevy Blazer was found. Crews found no signs of Gjendem but Debrah Schumackenberg, with Douglas County Search and Rescue, said "we are optimistic we'll find something that will lead us to finding the woman." Crews will resume searching Monday morning.

Officers were first alerted to the abandoned vehicle when a man who lived nearby reported it to authorities.

The Blazer was found in a popular area where people like to park their vehicles and then hike off along the trails, authorities said.

Officers ran the license plate of the silver Blazer and found that it belonged to Gjendem, who was reported missing to the Castle Rock Police Department on March 1.

At least 45 people searched the area Saturday night and Sunday with two ATV crews and two dog teams.

They said they believe she may have gone hiking in the area, but the melting snow has created difficult hiking conditions and slippery terrain with deep banks and some false creek beds.