Hikers in trouble on Pacific Crest Trail in Wash.

STEVENSON — A sheriff’s officer says a helicopter has picked up two of four hikers for whom authorities were searching in remote parts of Southwest Washington.

Skamania County Undersheriff Dave Cox said Tuesday night a helicopter had rescued Matt Margiotta and Kyla Arnold, who called for help Monday after snow obscured their route on the Pacific Crest Trail.

Deep snow forced ground searchers to turn back earlier in the day.

In a statement, Cox said the two hikers were being flown to Portland. He says they apparently didn’t need any medical care.

A search is expected to continue today for the other two hikers missing in separate areas of Southwest Washington.

Cox said another Pacific Crest Trail hiker, Alejandra Wilson, was reported overdue about 20 miles farther north than Margiotta and Arnold. Searchers from Lewis County were headed south on the trail, hoping to run into her.

Meanwhile more than three dozen rescuers continued looking for Kristopher Zitzewitz, 31, of Portland, who became separated from his partner in the Big Lava Beds area of Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Saturday.

Searchers had encountered two other hikers on the trail and persuaded them to turn around.