A lone fisherman floats on Coldwater Lake in this 2016 Chronicle file photo.
Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office deputies found a pair of overdue hikers safe over the weekend, likely due to the hikers’ preparedness, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
The hikers, identified as a 46-year-old father and his 26-year-old son, both Alaska residents, were reported overdue in the Coldwater Lake area in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. They were reported overdue Friday night.
A deputy responded and found their vehicle in the parking lot near the trail. Deputies believed the hikers were wearing light clothing because of good weather when they left.
Cowlitz County Search and Rescue responded with 13 volunteers and found the missing hikers shortly after 5 a.m. Saturday.
The hikers reported they lost the trail when it got dark the night before.
“They then worked their way down to the water’s edge and were trying to work their way through the heavy brush when they were spotted,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Cowlitz County Sheriff Mark Nelson said the hikers were better prepared than deputies expected, and than what was reported.
“They had heavier clothing, headlamps and space blankets,” he said in a statement. “Because it was snow and sleet around them, those few things may have saved their lives. Chalk this up to preparation and our dedicated SAR volunteers … We encourage people to be prepared at all times, especially this time of year when the weather can change quickly.”
