The search for a missing man in Olympic National Park ended Wednesday when the hiker was found dead.

Park officials said Sean Allen, 38, of Port Angeles was found after the crew on board the National Park Service contract helicopter from North Cascades National Park spotted Allen on the southern end of Mount Mystery approaching the Del Monte ridgeline.

The helicopter dropped off a search team on the ground, and the team performed the recovery operation with helicopter support.

Officials said the helicopter operations were completed at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Allen's body was transferred to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.   

Park officials said the coroner’s office will determine the cause and date of Allen's death. Officials offered no further details.

The search for Allen started Tuesday and intensified early Wednesday.

Allen was reported missing late Monday evening after he did not return from a backpacking trip. Allen was hiking alone and had a three-day wilderness permit.

Park officials said Allen planned to hike from Royal Basin to Home Lake, with potential climbing attempts at Mount Mystery, Hal Foss Peak, and Little Mystery.  

Search teams from Olympic National Park and Olympic Mountain Rescue covered routes from the Upper Dungeness Trail and around Royal Basin Wednesday after a hasty search was launched.

Washington State Search and Rescue Planning Unit assisted the park with the search and recovery efforts.