Search continues for missing hiker at Isle Royale National Park

Crews continue to search Isle Royale National Park by both ground and air for a missing hiker.

Craig Berg, 70, of Royal Oak, Mich., was on a more-than-weeklong solo hike on the large Lake Superior island. He was scheduled to take a ferry back to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Sept. 5, but family members reported the next day that he did not arrive home.

A search has been underway since that time.

The National Park Service said in a Friday afternoon update several agencies are taking part in the search — including Minnesota State Patrol aircraft.

“Search operations have included repeated foot patrols, aviation overflights and drone use,” park officials reported. “Ordinarily, aircraft are allowed only in certain park areas and drones are prohibited; however, during emergencies aircraft and drones are granted special operational approval.”

Isle Royale, located off the northeast tip of Minnesota, is about 45 miles long and nine miles wide. Aside from two hubs of visitor services at either end of Isle Royale, there are no roads or motor vehicles across the wilderness island.

The park has a network of rugged trails, including the Greenstone Ridge Trail that spans nearly the entire length of the island.

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