A 70-year-old Michigan hiker who went missing during a solo backpacking trip on Isle Royale was rescued alive on Saturday, September 12, 2026, after spending a week lost on the remote island, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Craig Berg was located by search teams that included Michigan State Police troopers, K-9 units, local officials, and area backpackers. Authorities reported that Berg was injured and hypothermic when found, but he remained conscious and alert.
Multi-Agency Search Operations Across Isle Royale
Berg was originally scheduled to complete a nine-day solo backpacking hike and take a ferry back to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on September 5. When he failed to return as planned, his family reported him missing to authorities, prompting search and rescue missions to begin on September 6. Crews initially focused their efforts around Rock Harbor, where Berg had planned to end his trek. The search later expanded across the island, including the Greenstone Ridge trail where a trail camera captured an image of Berg on August 30.
The rescue effort intensified when a Coast Guard boat and helicopter crew transported Michigan State Police troopers and K-9 units directly to the island. Isle Royale is a remote national park spanning 200 square miles of solid land with no roads or wheeled vehicles allowed. Ground teams must navigate the terrain strictly by foot through rocky ridges and dense boreal forest. According to local reports, Berg is a resident of downstate Royal Oak in Oakland County.
Did You Know? Isle Royale National Park is a remote island wilderness on Lake Superior where no roads or wheeled vehicles are permitted, requiring all ground search teams to navigate the rugged terrain strictly by foot.
Helicopter Evacuation and Medical Treatment
Following his location on Saturday, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City hoisted Berg from the island. The aircraft transported him 140 miles away to Marquette Regional Airport in Gwinn, Michigan. Emergency medical services personnel then met the flight and transferred Berg to a local hospital for further medical care. Footage and updates shared by officials noted that Berg was able to speak, asking rescue workers for food and water.
“We’re thankful that missing hiker, Craig Berg, was found alive and alert on Isle Royale,” Michigan State Police Lt. Ben Eckola said in a statement, while also thanking the agencies and community members involved in the operation. Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer Wendy Janson added that the successful outcome demonstrated strong teamwork between first responders and local citizens.
Future Outlook and Recovery Expectations
Because specific details regarding the exact nature of his injuries and the circumstances of his disappearance were not immediately released, further medical updates could follow as he continues treatment. The conclusion of this week-long operation marks a swift transition from emergency search protocols to hospital-based care and family support.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Craig Berg reported missing?
Berg was reported missing after he failed to return from his planned backpacking trip and missed his scheduled ferry ride on September 5, with search operations officially launching on September 6.
How was Berg located on the island?
Search teams consisting of Michigan State Police troopers, K-9 units, local officials, and area backpackers located Berg on Isle Royale after expanding their search from Rock Harbor to the Greenstone Ridge trail.
Where was Berg taken after the rescue?
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter hoisted Berg from Isle Royale and flew him 140 miles to Marquette Regional Airport in Gwinn, Michigan, where emergency medical services transported him to a local hospital.
What measures do you think can best improve safety for solo hikers traversing remote, roadless wilderness areas?