There is still no sign of a 66-year-old man who was reported missing in Glacier National Park last week.
Search efforts continue for Mark Sinclair, 66, who was last seen at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Monday, July 8 on the Highline Trail at Rimrocks headed west.
Park staff working in the Logan Pass Visitor Center observed him leaving an unsecured vehicle, keys, and dog in the Logan Pass parking lot, according to a press release.
Sinclair was wearing all gray or nondescript clothing (possibly in shorts), a yellow bandanna around his neck, a gray waist fanny backpack, and no hat. His hair is completely white and he may have a beard that is white as well. He is 5’8’’ and approximately 155 lbs.
Ground and air crews continue to search the Highline Trail and Granite Park Chalet vicinity as well as other drainages and trails near the area.
A press release states crews have encountered steep, treacherous terrain, high winds, rain, and bears, among other hazards. Officials said gray rock, shaded areas, and dense vegetation have increased the difficulty of pinpointing Sinclair’s whereabouts.
The park closed the Highline Trail from Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet because a sub-adult grizzly bear was charging visitors and remaining in close proximity to search teams. A visitor deployed bear spray.
Similar to other bear-related trail closures, the park will conduct trail patrols until a “clear” patrol free of bears is achieved for at least two days before reopening to the public.
The Highline Trail poses unique challenges when bears frequent the area because there is often very little space for hikers to move aside if bears come through.
Visitors hiking in the general Logan Pass and Granite Park area may hear search crew whistles, and will see helicopters inserting ground search crews and conducting aerial surveillance.
Search managers are using helicopters, cameras, infrared flights, and drones to search areas difficult or impossible for ground crews to reach, according to the press release.
Search team investigators have received a lot of information about Sinclair from the public and have pursued every lead, however, nothing has been found to reveal his whereabouts.
Search managers expect to suspend large-scale ground search efforts later this week unless something substantive is found.
Any visitors who may have information about Sinclair’s last seen location are asked to call (406) 888-7077.
The agencies involved in the search efforts include Glacier National Park, Flathead County, U.S. Forest Service, Whitefish Police Department, U.S. Geological Survey, and Homeland Security.
