Additional Tracks Found in Missing Hiker Search

Additional clues were found Friday evening in the continued search for missing hiker, Jakson Kreiser. Partial boot tracks similar to the boots believed to be worn by Kreiser were found in the Floral Park area by trained human trackers assisting with the search. These tracks are believed to be different from those found on July 31.

Incident Commander Scott Emmerich said, "We're adjusting our resources based on the location of clues found." He said search efforts will continue today with ground and aerial operations focused on the Floral Park and Avalanche Basin areas. Several members of the search team spent last night in the backcountry and are prepared to do so again.

The search for Kreiser, a seasonal employee with Glacier Park, Inc. at Lake McDonald Lodge, began Sunday, July 29. Kreiser was reported missing when he failed to return following a hike on Saturday, July 28.

The search area has been focused in the area between Hidden Lake and Avalanche Lake, specifically in the Floral Park area. This area includes some treacherous country filled with rock cliffs, water falls, wet and slippery rocks and boulders, and dense vegetation.

Kreiser is from Michigan. This is his first year working in the area. He is 6 feet 2 inches tall with black, short and curly hair, and a black beard. It is believed he is wearing a yellow/gold sweatshirt and grey colored khaki pants, and carrying a grey and yellow backpack.

A park incident management team has been organized and is managing the incident. North Valley Search and Rescue, Flathead Search and Rescue, and Flathead County Sheriff's Office are assisting the National Park Service with search operations.

On Thursday the park published a map of the area that rescuers are searching:

The map provides an idea of the rugged terrain where search operations are being conducted. Officials believe his intended route was from Logan Pass to Avalanche Lake. The boot tracks believed to be Kreiser’s, found in the Floral Park area, is located towards the lower right hand corner of the map (the red lines on the map indicate designated trails).

Anyone that may have been in the Logan Pass, Hidden Lake, Floral Park or Avalanche Lake areas over the weekend and may have seen Kreiser, is encouraged to contact park dispatch at 406-888-7800.


Jeff
Glacier National Park Trails