Glacier Bear: Crews Find Missing Hiker 2.5 Miles Up Mt. Brown Trail

Search and rescue crews found the body of a missing hiker in Glacier National Park on Thursday, after his remains were spotted Wednesday about two-and-a-half miles up the Mt. Brown Trail. Park officials said the injuries were consistent with those sustained in a bear encounter, and the closure now covers that part of the trail.

Mt. Brown Trail Search

The remains were found about 50 feet off the trail in a densely wooded area with downed timber. Wildlife and law enforcement personnel were assessing the area for bear activity and any ongoing public safety concerns, while the investigation remained open.

The National Park Service had been searching for a Fort Lauderdale, Florida man who had been hiking and had not been heard from since Sunday night. The service said on Tuesday that it was looking for him, and it said it would not release the victim's name until three days after next-of-kin were notified.

Glacier National Park Response

That timeline left hikers facing a closed section of the Mt. Brown Trail while crews and investigators worked the same area where the remains were found. Park officials kept the response focused on the site itself, with the trail shut until the investigation was finished.

The case now turns on the agency's review of bear activity in the area and the notification process tied to the victim's identity. For anyone planning to use Mt. Brown Trail, the practical change is immediate: the affected section stays closed while the park completes its inquiry.