News Release

Missing Hiker Rescued

Date: August 11, 2020
Contact: Penny Wagner - Olympic National Park, 360-565-3005
Contact: SSGT. John Keegan - Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, 360-460-6646

Earlier today, the National Park Service exclusive-use contract helicopter was activated from North Cascades National Park. (Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks share the dedicated short-haul rescue helicopter on contract for the summer season.)

At around 5:00 P.M. Stephanie Lincoln was located by the helicopter about 2 kilometers northwest of her vehicle. Stephanie was airlifted to the Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles where she was examined by medical personnel at 6:50 P.M.

After being medically cleared, Stephanie was debriefed by members of Clallam County Search and Rescue. Stephanie reported that she missed the trailhead and inadvertently took another path. After about a mile into the woods she realized her error and tried to double back to her vehicle but could not locate it.

Stephanie attempted to put out an emergency alert on her cell phone but there was no service. Stephanie hiked to higher ground to attempt to find phone service but could not find any.

The next morning Stephanie headed to the sound of running water. This took her to a steep embankment. When Stephanie tried to negotiate the embankment she slid down it and lost her trekking poles. When Stephanie got to the source of the water, the Sitkum River, she found that she would not be able to cross it. She found a meadow and waited there in the hopes that a helicopter would be able to spot her. After spotting the helicopter, she signaled for help.

After the debrief, Stephanie was transported to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office in Port Angeles where she was reunited with her family at around 7:30 P.M.

Previously:

Search Underway for Missing Hiker
 
A search is currently underway for a hiker reported missing after she did not return from a day hike on the Rugged Ridge Trail on August 8. Stephanie Lincoln is a 40-year-old female, 5’4” tall, 130 pounds, with short brown hair and hazel eyes. She was carrying a red backpack. Her intended destination was Indian Pass. Her last known location was Rugged Ridge Trailhead located east of Forks off FR-2913.
  
Hasty teams made up of park staff and Clallam County Search and Rescue searched Rugged Ridge Trail yesterday. Today, search teams in the field are made up of Olympic National Park staff, Clallam County Search and Rescue, volunteers with Olympic Mountain Rescue, Kitsap County Search Dogs, and Washington Conservation Corps trail crew. The National Park Service exclusive-use contract helicopter was also activated from North Cascades National Park to assist with the search.