Glacier hiker injured in bear attack on Highline Trail
A view of the Highline Trail and its junction with the Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trail in Glacier National Park on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Matt Baldwin/Daily Inter Lake)
A hiker was air-lifted from Glacier National Park on Thursday following a bear attack on one of the park's most popular trails.
The 35-year-old man sustained non-life threating injuries from the bear encounter while hiking the Highline Trail early Thursday morning. The trail connects Logan Pass with Granite Park Chalet and The Loop on the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road.
According to park officials, the man's hiking party encountered the bear near the Grinnell Glacier Overlook trailhead.
The man hiked to Granite Park Chalet with assistance from park rangers and other hikers, where he was met by the Two Bear Air rescue helicopter and flown to the Apgar horse corrals. He was then transported by Three Rivers Ambulance to Logan Health in Whitefish.
Park rangers temporarily closed the Highline Trail from Haystack Butte to Granite Park Chalet following the incident. The closure will remain in place until further notice, officials said. Visitors should check the park’s trail status webpage for the latest information.
The species of bear involved in the encounter is under investigation.
Glacier Park is home to black and grizzly bears. Hikers are encouraged to hike in groups, make noise when hiking and have bear spray accessible and know how to use it.