Grizzly Bear Kills Mountain Biker Near West Glacier

Kalispell native Brad Treat fatally attacked Wednesday on Forest Service trail; Area closed as authorities search for bear

By Justin Franz & Dillon Tabish // Jun 29, 2016 // News & Features

Updated: June 29, 9 p.m.

A West Glacier man was killed by a grizzly bear Wednesday afternoon while riding his mountain bike on a forested trail in the Halfmoon Lakes area south of Glacier National Park.

Flathead County Sheriff Chuck Curry identified the victim as Brad Treat, 38, of West Glacier. Treat grew up in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead High School, where he was a standout distance runner, in 1996.

Authorities have closed the area around Halfmoon Lakes as the investigation continues. As of 8:30 p.m., the bear that attacked Treat had not been found.

Treat and another man were mountain biking on U.S. Forest Service land near Halfmoon Lakes on Wednesday, according to Curry. The initial investigation suggests the two bikers surprised the bear around 2 p.m. and Treat was taken off his bike by the animal. The second rider was able to escape uninjured and summon help. ... Treat was pronounced dead at the scene.