Hiker apparently drowns trying to cross Middle Fork of Flathead
Loneman Mountain in Glacier National Park looms above the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. (Hungry Horse News FILE)
A hiker trying to cross the Middle Fork near Essex to go camping has apparently drowned, the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office reports.
On Monday about 3:47 a.m. the department received a report of a missing person.
Once on the scene, responders were told a person had slipped and fell trying to cross the river about 10 p.m.
The other people in the party had to walk to a residence to get phone service, which caused the delay.
Search and rescue along with Two Bear Air and the Alert helicopter searched the river for the subject, but were unable to initially locate the individual.
The search continued this morning and the person was found. Their name has been withheld pending notification of kin.
The Middle Fork is currently still running high and swift, with a wetter than normal June and early July and an above normal snowpack.
The Middle Fork at West Glacier is currently at 3.97 feet. Safe crossing on foot is typically at 3 feet or less.
This is the second drowning in the Flathead River system this summer. People are urged to wear lifejackets and to know water conditions before heading out.