MUKILTEO — What began as a casual day hike Friday morning ended with a rescue by crews from three area fire departments after a man became lost in Naketa Beach ravine.
“It’s pretty deep and steep terrain,” said Myron Travis, a spokesman for the Mukilteo Police Department.
The Mukilteo man, 26, entered the area from 84th Street SW and 53rd Avenue W.
That’s a dangerous entry point, Travis said. “There’s no trail system there.”
The man later told rescuers that he came to area hoping to do some hiking and to spend time in the woods. But the terrain was tougher than he expected. He became disoriented. After about two hours, he concluded he wouldn’t be able to find his way out. He began yelling for help.
“Fortunately, someone heard him and called for help,” Travis said.
Mukilteo police and fire were assisted by crews from Fire District 1 and the Everett Fire Department. The man was found about 150 feet down the ravine.
The hiker was uninjured and taken home.
With the recent wet weather, footing can get soft. “If you’re unfamiliar with the terrain, it adds to the hazards of the area,” Travis said.
He urged people who want to enjoy hiking over the Memorial Day weekend in Mukilteo to become familiar with the area they’re visiting, take stay on marked trails, and to travel with a hiking partner. Bring water and a cellphone in case of emergencies, he added.
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