SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. — UPDATE (Oct. 28, 2020): The Great Smoky Mountains National Park announced it has found a missing hiker from Powell safe.
The GSMNP said search and rescue crews found Fred Braden Jr., 56, Wednesday around 4 p.m. -- saying he did not sustain any major injuries from his overnight experience in the backcountry.
The GSMNP said there isn't information available at this time about how he became lost after he was reporting missing during a day hike to Indian Flat Falls from the Middle Prong Trail. Rangers are assisting him to the trailhead for further assessment.
More than 30 people helped in the search. Responders searched more than 20 acres of off-trail areas Thursday along with 30 miles of park trails.
Original Story:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers are searching for a missing Knox County man who was hiking in the Tremont area.
According to the GSMNP, Fred Braden Jr., 56, from Powell was day hiking to Indian Flat Falls from the Middle Prong Trail. He was reported missing Tuesday around 7 p.m.
Braden is 5'6" and weighs 180 pounds. He has short brown hair and a salt & pepper goatee. He was last seen wearing a gray pullover sweatshirt over a red t-shirt and light jogger pants, along with either black and red tennis shoes or Timberline hiking boots. He could have been carrying a brown corduroy JanSport backpack.
Rangers said they have started containment efforts to locate the man with 12 members of the search and rescue team.
Anyone who hiked in the Middle Prong Trail area on Tuesday may have helpful information. They are asked to contact the park's Emergency Communication Center at (865) 436-1230.