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Search continues in Glacier for missing hiker

by Daily Inter Lake
| July 12, 2019 4:37 PM

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Hikers approach Haystack Butte on Glacier Park's Highline Trail.

The search continues in Glacier National Park for a 66-year-old Whitefish man who was last seen Monday afternoon on the Highline Trail at Rimrocks headed west.

Search efforts began Tuesday morning.

Glacier National Park, partner agencies and local search-and-rescue volunteers continue the search for Mark Sinclair, the park reported Friday in a news release.

Park staff working in the Logan Pass Visitor Center had observed Sinclair leaving an unsecured vehicle, keys and dog in the Logan Pass parking lot.

Park, Flathead County and North Valley Rescue ground crews continue to search trails and drainages adjacent to the Highline Trail. The search has also been expanded to include other mountainous trail areas near Logan Pass.

Two Bear Air and helicopter support from the U.S. Forest Service are assisting with aerial searches and insertion of personnel both day and night. A Flathead County search drone is being used in areas that are not visible by helicopter and difficult or impossible to access on foot.

The public is reminded that public drone use is prohibited in Glacier National Park at all times.

The helicopter and rescue drone are not flying at the same time and helicopters must land if drones are in the area because they are a hazard, the park said. If private drones fly, search aircraft cannot.

Volunteer and Flathead County canine patrols continue to search along trails, roadways and drainages adjacent to the area. Missing person fliers are posted in shuttle buses and various areas around the park.

Visitor sightings from Monday support previous information that Sinclair traveled along the Highline Trail and may have traveled at least as far as the Haystack Butte area, the park said. Canine patrols have also shown interest in this general area.

The park said it expects to issue another update early next week, unless something significant changes with the search effort.

Sinclair had worked earlier this summer in Glacier as a “visitor services assistant.”

Anyone visiting the park who has information about Sinclair’s last seen location is encouraged to call 406-888-7077.