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Contact: Meagan Huff, Public Information Officer, (360) 409-3737
PORT ANGELES, Wash. – A search is currently underway for a hiker reported missing at 10 am on November 2, 2022. Laura Macke is a 35-year-old female, 5’6” tall, 200 pounds with curly, light brown hair in a bob cut. Macke had a backcountry permit for October 30-31, 2022 and was traveling solo with an intended route to the Enchanted Valley, stopping to camp at Pyrites Creek. She indicated that she would still be in the backcountry on November 1 but has not returned. Macke is known to hike in a black and white striped shirt, black rain jacket and maroon colored puffy jacket.
Search and Rescue personnel hiked into the wilderness on Thursday to begin a hasty search of the area after Macke was reported missing. A US Coast Guard helicopter conducted a preliminary search but was impeded by changing weather. Additional searches will take place on Friday, November 4.
If you were in the area of Lake Quinault, Graves Creek, or Enchanted Valley between October 30 and November 1 or have any information regarding this individual, please call or text the tip line at 1-888-653-0009, submit a tip online at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, or email e-mail us.
Information from other day hikers and backpackers is often extremely valuable.
CALL or TEXT the ISB Tip Line: 1-888-653-0009
ONLINE: go.nps.gov/SubmitATip
EMAIL: e-mail us
EMERGENCY: Dial 9-1-1
Updated Statement from Olympic National Park
Date: November 11, 2022
On November 10, 2022, the search and rescue effort to locate missing hiker Laura Macke moved into a limited and continuous operation. While active searching has ended, searching will continue as weather, environmental conditions, and other factors allow.
Ms. Macke has not yet been located. She is presumed to have entered into the backcountry on October 30, 2022, and was expected to return on November 1. She was reported missing on November 2. The search began on November 3. The search utilized many ground searchers, some of whom stayed overnight in the Enchanted Valley area, several dog teams (K9 units), drones, boats, and helicopters. The search area included the trail to Enchanted Valley, as well as beyond this trail and off-trail areas.
Olympic National Park partnered with 19 agencies on this search effort: Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic Mountain Rescue, Jefferson County Search and Rescue, Clallam County Search and Rescue, Tacoma Mountain Rescue, Pierce County Search and Rescue, Mason County Search and Rescue, Pierce County German Shepherd Search Dogs, Snohomish County German Shepherd Search Dogs, Kitsap County Search and Rescue K9, Mason County Search and Rescue K9, Pierce County Explorers Search and Rescue, Kitsap County Explorers Search and Rescue, King County Search and Rescue, Quinault Indian Nation Wildlife Enforcement Program, Washington State Search and Rescue Planning Unit, US Coast Guard, US Customs & Border Patrol, Air & Marine Operations, and US Navy Search & Rescue.
Olympic National Park also works closely with the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch.
The National Park Service Investigative Services Branch is still accepting tips regarding Laura Macke. If you were in the area of Lake Quinault, Graves Creek, or Enchanted Valley between October 30 and November 1 or have any information regarding Ms. Macke, please call or text the tip line at 1-888-653-0009, submit a tip online at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, or email us.
Last updated: November 14, 2022