SLIPPERY ROCK TWP, Lawrence County — A late night search for a missing hiker at McConnells Mill State Park ended early Friday morning when the man turned up at a convenience store.

“He was able to make it out on his own,” assistant park manager Brian Flores said of the missing-then-found 25-year-old man from West Pittsburg, Lawrence County. He was uninjured.

The man was with three other friends who had gone to the park to hike the Slippery Rock Gorge Trail, which is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, authorities said.

They left Eckert Bridge about 6:30 p.m. en route to Hell's Hollow, a more than 6-mile hike, but at some point the man got separated from the others after darkness fell.

“This happens,” Flores said. “People misjudge the sunset and time of day.”

The missing hiker had a cell phone, Flores said, but he apparently was unable to get any reception from the gorge.

His friends eventually made it back to their car and drove home to get flashlights to look for the man. They also took to social media asking for others to join in the search back at the park.

State police subsequently learned of the lost hiker about 11 p.m. and notified park rangers, Flores said.

The Slippery Rock Volunteer Department in Lawrence County and the Portersville Volunteer Fire Departments in Butler County were called.

The man, however, eventually made it out safely and reached the Sheetz store on Route 422 — which online maps show is a little more than 3 miles north of Hell's Hollow.

The rangers, in turn, were notified and the search was called off about 12:30 a.m. Friday.

“At least he's safe,” Flores said in wake of the outcome.