An Idaho hiker and his dog were reunited with family Friday afternoon after being missing in the Wind River Mountains for a week.
Jonathan Bailey, who grew up in Evanston but lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho, and his dog, Wrigley, were located safe, according to the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office.
“We are very happy to share some good news: Jonathan Bailey and his dog, Wrigley, have been located alive and are safe,” the statement said.
Bailey was camping with family this past Friday when he and Bailey failed to show up at a designated campsite.
Few details were immediately available about what happened other than the pair were found by hikers near Miller Lake, and had just landed by helicopter at the Pinedale airport, said Shannon Gehlhausen, office manager for the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office.
Bailey was hiking between the Elkhart Park Trailhead about 14 miles northeast of Pinedale and the 1,000 Island Lake area in the Bridger Wilderness when he was separated from his group.
Wrigley Might've Gotten Loose
His sister, Jennifer Baumgartner, earlier told Cowboy State Daily that family believed Wrigley, who usually walks on a leash, might have gotten loose and away from Bailey, causing him to follow the dog off the trail.
Bailey had a backpack and sleeping bag with him, but no tent, Baumgartner said.
Bailey’s condition was unknown mid-afternoon Friday, and neither Tip Top SAR coordinator Kenna Tanner nor Sublette County Sheriff KC Lehr were available for comment by publication time.
TipTop thanked members of the public for sharing Jonathan’s information and keeping an eye out along the trails.
“In a backcountry search, even a seemingly small piece of information can make a difference," TipTop said in a statement. "Most importantly, tonight Jonathan gets to go home — and Wrigley does too. Another great ending to a search in Sublette County.”
Baumgartner did not respond to a request for comment on behalf of the family.
Bailey’s disappearance marked the end of a long week for Sublette County Search and Rescue, which responded to six calls over Labor Day Weekend.
Jen Kocher can be reached at jen@cowboystatedaily.com.
