Baxter State Park rangers are continuing to search for a 78-year-old man who has been missing since he failed to return from a hike Thursday.

The Rangers said John Lyon of Virginia had been hiking in the Mount Coe area of the park. He was last seen on the Mount Coe trail, between Mount Coe and South Brother Mountain, around 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Lyon had been hiking with three others when he left the group at lunch to hike ahead.

Rangers were assisted by Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Forest Service aircraft Friday. They plan to expand the search on Saturday, using volunteers. rescue teams, Maine Game Wardens, Maine Forest Service personnel and park rangers.

The park has closed the Marston trailhead and the Marston and Coe trails to assist in the search.