Two hikers died after a large dead tree fell and struck them on the Lena Lake Trail in Olympic National Forest last week, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office reported.
Kathryn Pickard, 76, of Bremerton, was killed instantly when the tree fell around noon on Jan. 16. Christine Mutchler, 70, of Seabeck, suffered serious injuries including multiple broken extremities and a possible head injury. She was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center by Navy Air Station Whidbey Island but was later pronounced dead despite extensive lifesaving efforts.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received an Apple satellite text alert around 12:06 p.m. alerting them that a falling tree had struck three women hiking in the area. Deputies and Jefferson Search and Rescue personnel arrived to find Pickard in a wooded area adjacent to the trail. Investigators determined she had been struck by the falling tree and thrown from the trail. A deputy pronounced her deceased at the scene.
The investigation revealed that a large dead evergreen tree broke off near ground level, striking both hikers and dislodging large boulders that fell in the surrounding area. No ongoing hazard from falling trees or rocks has been identified, and the U.S. Forest Service has advised that the trail remains open.
The incident highlights risks hikers face from widow-makers, the term for dead standing trees that can fall without warning. High winds weren’t reported that day, which means the tree likely failed from rot or structural weakness. Dead trees in Pacific Northwest forests can stand for years before collapsing, and their timing is unpredictable.
Under Washington State law, county sheriffs coordinate search and rescue operations, including deploying trained volunteers, aircraft, and ground teams. The Apple satellite text alert system, available on newer iPhones, allowed the third hiker to contact emergency services despite being in an area with no cellular coverage.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of Kathryn Pickard and Christine Mutchler during this profoundly difficult time,” the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office stated.
