Hiker rescued from cliff

The Daily Inter Lake

A 22-year-old Michigan man was rescued Thursday after falling onto a ledge above Hidden Lake in Glacier National Park.

Spokeswoman Melissa Wilson said about 15 park employees were involved in the rescue.

Ben Evans was taking an off-trail shortcut from the Hidden Lake overlook down to the lake when he slipped and fell, Wilson said.

He dropped about 15 feet onto an isolated rock ledge, sustaining minor cuts and bruises. He couldn't find a way off and started calling for help. A fisherman heard him and notified the Logan Pass Visitor Center staff at about 6 p.m.

A team of law enforcement, trail crew, maintenance, interpretation and resource management employees, along with a park volunteer, determined that Evans couldn't be reached from below.

He also couldn't be reached from the slope immediately above the ledge, so four rescuers rappelled down about 100 feet from a more stable platform. Evans was then placed in a seat harness and lowered another 80 feet to the base of the cliff. He and the rescuers then hiked back to the visitor center.

Park officials remind visitors to stay on designated trails and never to hike alone.