Bigfork teen lost, found in Jewel

Bigfork Eagle

A 17-year-old Bigfork boy went missing in the Jewel Basin Hiking Area over the weekend, but eventually walked himself out on Sunday morning as rescuers scoured the area for him.

The boy was reportedly dropped off by his father at the Camp Misery Trailhead on Friday morning and spent the day hiking. He did not rendevous with his father at the agreed upon 7 p.m., however, and after searching for his son for a few hours, the father called authorities.

The search, led by the Flathead County Sheriff's Office, began at 12:45 a.m. on Saturday and lasted until the boy walked out of the woods to the south east along the South Fork Road where he was picked up by a passing motorist.

The boy suffered no injuries after spending two nights alone in the rugged Swan Range.

Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Denise Germann said the forest service was sending in some idle fire crews to assist with the search on Sunday morning about the time the boy was found.

"We happened to have them available, so we were going to put our resources toward that," Germann said.

There is a ranger at the Camp Misery trailhead who is on duty most of the week at the station, but hikers are not required to sign in with an itinerary or obtain any sort of permit, Germann said.

The Jewel Basin Hiking Area is a 15,000-acre recreation area on Forest Service land that is designated for foot traffic only. Just above Bigfork, the Jewel is a popular summer recreation spot for Flathead Valley residents who tackle the steep terrain to gain access to any of the 20 or so alpine lakes that spot the region.