A search was launched for the Fina Kiefe, 55, who was alone on the Pioneer Ridge Trail early Tuesday after she contacted her husband and told him she'd been charged by multiple bears and used bear spray, Alaska State Troopers said.

Wednesday evening, after state troopers said search efforts for the day were ending because of weather, a volunteer leaving the area saw Kiefer leaving the woods near the road, state troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniel said.

Kiefer was spotted walking out of the woods as the volunteer search team member was driving on Knik River Road, about a mile from the trailhead, state troopers said

The volunteer reported the discovery at 5:30 p.m., around an hour after state troopers said the decision was made to end searches for the day because of the weather