Man flown out of Glacier Park via rescue helicopter after being injured by bear

A 35-year-old man was flown out of Granite Park Chalet in Glacier National Park for medical treatment after a bear encounter on the Highline Trail.

The man’s name or the extent of his injuries was not released, but the Park Service said they were non-life threatening.

The man and his hiking party encountered the bear near the Grinnell Glacier Overlook Trailhead, which is about half mile or so south of the chalet.

The injured visitor hiked to Granite Park Chalet with assistance from rangers and other hikers where he was met by Two Bear Air and flown to the Apgar horse corrals, then transported by Three Rivers ambulance to Logan Health  hospital in Whitefish.

Park rangers closed the section of Highline Trail this morning from Haystack Butte to Granite Park Chalet due to the encounter. The species of bear is still under investigation. The closure will remain in place until further notice. 

Visitors to Glacier National Park are reminded that the park is home to black and grizzly bears. Hikers are highly encouraged to hike in groups, make noise when hiking, and have bear spray accessible and know how to use it. 

Separately, the Park Service also closed the Old Man Lake backcountry campsite in the Two Medicine drainage.

Bears right now are feeding heavily in preparation for hibernation and are very active.

The Highline Trail is one of the most popular trails in Glacier and his traveled by both humans and bears alike, as it runs along the Continental Divide. Most years it has a heavy huckleberry crop, which bears feast on. This year has been an excellent year for huckleberries in Glacier.