Hiker missing in Porkies found safely
WAKEFIELD — A downstate hiker is safe after going missing in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park over the weekend.
Michigan State Police from the Wakefield Post say he is Daniel Robert Smith, 55, from downstate White Lake. He was hiking on the Lake Superior Trail within the park. Smith’s wife dropped him off at the trail entrance at noon on Saturday. She called police when he didn’t return at their pre-arranged time of 6:00 p.m.
Troopers found some personal items that Smith had dropped, leading rescuers to believe he was still on the trail. Police then set up an illuminated beacon to aid a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter as darkness fell. At about 3:00 a.m. Sunday, Smith was found about five miles into the park with the assistance of the helicopter.
He wasn’t hurt after spending 15 hours in the woods. The chopper airlifted Smith out of the area, and he met his wife again at the Wakefield Post.
Michigan DNR conservation officers, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park rangers and the Ontonagon County CERT team also helped in the search.