Missing hiker in Olympic National Park found safe

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK -- A missing hiker who was several days overdue on a 39-mile hike in the Olympic National Park was found safe and sound Monday, park officials said, dozens of miles from his intended destination.

Kelly Hall, 64, walked into the Elwha Ranger Station shortly before 10 a.m. Monday morning; safe and well.

Hall, who set out Saturday from the Obstruction Point Trailhead near Hurricane Ridge, was expected to meet his family at the USFS Slabb Camp Trailhead Thursday afternoon. When he didn't show up by Thursday night, his family called park rangers.

Slab Camp is about 30 miles from the Elwha Ranger Station by trail.

Details of Hall's hike were not immediately known, but officials said they were happy to find him safe and sound.

"We are overjoyed to have this search reach a successful and happy conclusion," Park Superintendent Sarah Creachbaum said.

Sixteen people were searching along Hall’s intended route over the weekend. Three dog teams were added to the search effort late Saturday.A helicopter was expected to fly over Hall’s route Sunday afternoon.

Volunteers assisting the National Park Service included Olympic Mountain Rescue, the Clallam County Search and Rescue and German Shepherd Search Dogs.