Crews on Friday rescued four hikers who became stranded the night before on a challenging trail on Mount Katahdin in Maine’s Baxter State Park, officials said.
The park director, Kevin Adam, said in an email shortly after 2 p.m. Friday that the rescue operation was ongoing. But by late afternoon “all hikers and rescue crews” were safely off the mountain, the park said on social media.
In a statement, park officials said two separate hiking parties totaling four people became stranded Thursday “after dark” on the Knife Edge trail. One of the four, a woman in her 30s, suffered “an unstable knee injury,” while the other three weren’t hurt.
Rangers reached the hikers Friday morning and provided them with food, hot liquids, and dry clothes, according to the statement.
“Because of the cloudy conditions around the mountain, a helicopter from the Maine Forest Service is evaluating when they may be able to fly to that altitude and rescue the injured hiker.”
Volunteers also assisted, officials said.
The park warns on its website that Knife Edge hikers should exercise caution.
“This route is completely exposed and several people have died or have been seriously injured while attempting a traverse in inclement weather and/or high winds,” the site says. “Do not attempt to leave the ridge once you have started.”
According to the site, “Across and back is not recommended due to its difficulty and the amount of time it adds to the hike — it takes approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. one way. ... Hiking it from the Hunt or Abol Trails means ending at Roaring Brook Campground, an hour by road from your vehicle on the other side of the mountain. We do not provide shuttle service. There is no water on this trail."
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com.