The U.S. Forest Service is reminding hikers that the popular Bass Creek Trail in the Bitterroot National Forest south of Florence will be closed on Saturday as search efforts continue for a missing man.
Search efforts for Phillip Stokey, 37, of Missoula have been underway since Aug. 13. Stokey was last known to be in the Bass Creek area.
The trail is closed because search parties will be using multiple dog teams and want to minimize scent interference. The public is being asked to avoid the trail and trailhead area. Ravalli County Search and Rescue will be conducting the search.
Closure includes only Bass Creek Trail No. 4. Charles Waters Campground, Larry Creek Trails and other sites within the Bass Creek area are not impacted by the search.
