Hiker Missing in ‘Treacherous Conditions’ in North Cascades, WA Since October 17th

Deputies from Skagit County Sheriff’s Office in Washington are searching for a missing 28-year-old woman who has not been seen since Oct. 18. Rachel Lakoduk was hiking the Hidden Lake Trailhead in the North Cascades near Marblemount. Rescuers and her family thought she might have taken shelter inside a remote cabin at the Hidden Lake Lookout “when weather conditions turned snowy,” the Skagit Search and Rescue Council said in a Facebook post.

“Search crews reached the cabin at Hidden Lake and the missing hiker was not located. The search crew is actively searching for her on their way down off the mountain,” Skagit County Undersheriff Chad Clark said in an update Tuesday afternoon, adding that the search will resume Wednesday.

Her family became concerned when she did not return as planned the next day and contacted the National Park Service. Officials found her vehicle at the trailhead, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Search crews went out over the weekend in treacherous conditions but were forced to turn back due to heavy snow and avalanche danger. Teams were only able to reach 6,000-feet and reported up to 6-feet of snow on the trails.

• Related: Lone PCT Hiker Lucky to Be Rescued After Getting Lost in Huge Snowstorm in Cascades

When the team went out again on Tuesday they did manage to reach the cabin at 6,800-feet but unfortunately, they did not find any sign of the missing hiker.

KOMO has reported that “other hikers reported seeing Lakoduk on the trail”.

You can reach the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office at 360-416-1911 with any information.