Hiker’s body recovered from Leigh Lake trail

Authorities recovered the body of an Idaho man who died while hiking near Leigh Lake on June 23.

Lincoln County Undersheriff Brad Dodson said a family hiking in the area initially discovered the man’s body. Officials identified him of Warryn Lee Hanson, 67, an out-of-town visitor.

Dodson said the hiker died after taking a fall on the trail.

“It was an unfortunate accident,” he said. “A sad, unfortunate accident.”

According to the sheriff’s office incident log, first responders arrived at the scene about 2:28 p.m. The body was found about a mile from the trailhead.

Owing to the terrain, a search and rescue team was dispatched to the site, Dodson said.

“Leigh Lake is a short hike, but extremely steep, so it’s difficult — it would have been very difficult [to carry out the body],” he said.

Two Bear Air was called to the scene to extricate the body.

In an obituary published late last month, Hanson was described as a loving family man. A teacher for more than 40 years, Hanson also held a deep passion for the outdoors. A celebration of life was held July 1.