Missing hiker found dead

William Hendrix, the 59-year-old missing hiker from Eureka who did not return from Swan Crest hike he started Aug. 11, was found in the North Lost Creek area at around 4 p.m. Sunday, Lake County Sheriff Don Bell said.

The man was located by search and rescue teams in a drainage area at the bottom of a small cliff that rescuers believe he slipped off of during his trip, Bell said.

“He looks like he stumbled and fell off a small cliff,” Bell said. “He appears to have died from that trauma.”

Hendrix was located after search and rescue man tracking teams from Lake, Flathead, Seely, Swan/Mission followed his tracks to that area along with air search from Two Bear Air.

Hendrix’ truck was located at the North Lost Creek Trailhead, authorities said.

At one point searchers suspected Hendrix drifted over into Flathead County territory, but later learned he was still located in Lake County.

Hendrix set out on his hike at about 5 a.m. Aug. 11 with the goal of reaching Thunderbolt Mountain and traveled a trail he’d traversed before.

Jank Hendrix, William’s wife, said Hendrix was an experienced, avid hiker, hunter and fisherman as well as a registered nurse.