Hikers spend cold night in the woods

A pair of hikers who couldn’t find their way back to their group waited out the night in the woods near the Hungry Horse Reservoir before being brought out by search and rescue personnel Wednesday morning.

The two men, both in their 60s, had been hiking with a group in the area of North Biglow Lake on Tuesday when they split off from the group to take a different route. Their hiking group contacted the sheriff’s office at about 1:30 a.m. after the men did not return to their vehicle.

A ground search was begun by Flathead County deputies along with North Valley Search and Rescue personnel. The men were finally located around 6 a.m. with the assistance of a rescue helicopter from Two Bear Aviation that was equipped with night vision and infrared imaging.

It was discovered that the men, who were well prepared, built a fire after darkness fell and waited to be found.

After the men were located from the air, search and rescue personnel were directed by the helicopter crew to their location. The men were returned to their party uninjured.