Tragedy Strikes Olympic National Forest: Two Hikers Lost in Freak Accident
In a devastating moment that transformed a peaceful hiking excursion into tragedy, two longtime friends and outdoor enthusiasts lost their lives when a dead fir tree suddenly collapsed on a popular trail in Washington’s Olympic National Forest. Christine Mutchler, 70, and Kathy Pickard, 76, were hiking with their friend Kathy Todd, 74, on what should have been a routine trek to Lena Lake last Thursday when nature dealt an unpredictable and fatal blow. The three women, part of a close-knit group of friends who regularly shared outdoor adventures, were suddenly caught in a terrifying situation when they heard what Todd described as “a big crack that I’ll never forget.” In those crucial seconds, all three women attempted to flee, but only Todd would escape unharmed.
The moment of impact was instantaneous and devastating. When Todd turned back, she discovered both of her friends lying unconscious on the trail, surrounded by fragments of the dead fir tree that had broken approximately ten feet above the ground. Pickard had been killed instantly in the impact, while Mutchler was still breathing but critically injured. In what can only be described as a stroke of tragic timing mixed with fortune, two emergency room doctors happened to be hiking the same trail and quickly came upon the scene. These medical professionals immediately began attending to Mutchler while Todd, despite her shock, managed to make her way to a clearing where she could call 911 for emergency assistance. The response demonstrates the unpredictability of wilderness emergencies and the thin line between life and death in remote natural settings.
The rescue effort that followed showcased both the capabilities of emergency services and the solidarity of the hiking community. A rescue helicopter dispatched from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island arrived just over an hour after Todd’s distress call, and crews worked to hoist the still-living Mutchler into a basket for emergency transport. She was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with hopes for survival, but according to her sister Paula Smith, Mutchler passed away just minutes before the helicopter could reach the hospital—a heartbreaking near-miss that compounds the tragedy of the incident. Meanwhile, other hikers who came upon the scene demonstrated remarkable compassion, staying with Pickard’s body until rescue teams could hike up the trail to recover her, honoring an unspoken code of wilderness ethics that no one should be left alone.
While Todd physically escaped injury, the psychological impact of witnessing such a sudden loss cannot be understated. After the emergency doctors had done all they could at the scene, they walked Todd to the parking lot and personally drove her back to Kitsap County—a gesture of care that reflects the human connections often formed in moments of crisis. The three women had set out that day as they had many times before, with no reason to anticipate danger on a well-traveled trail. Their story serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks that exist even in familiar natural settings, and how quickly circumstances can change in the wilderness, where dead trees—sometimes called “widow makers” by experienced outdoor enthusiasts—can pose hidden dangers even on established paths.
The three hikers were not novices but part of a vibrant community of older adults who embraced active lifestyles and outdoor recreation. Friends described Mutchler and Pickard as members of the “back-of-the-bus crowd,” a group of friends who regularly enjoyed hiking together and taking bus trips for skiing adventures. Sarah Rogers, a friend of the women, offered a poignant description of their spirits: “Absolutely a light. Happy, active, energetic and fun. Always out for a good time, in the best way.” This characterization paints a picture of vibrant individuals who approached their golden years with enthusiasm and a zest for life, finding joy in nature and companionship rather than retreating from adventure as they aged. Their tragic deaths have not only left holes in the hearts of friends and family but also in the tight-knit community of outdoor enthusiasts in the region.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of Olympic National Forest, one of Washington state’s natural treasures that attracts thousands of visitors annually to its trails, lakes, and wilderness areas. The Lena Lake trail, where the accident occurred, is popular precisely because it offers accessible natural beauty to hikers of various skill levels. The loss of Mutchler and Pickard underscores the delicate balance between encouraging public enjoyment of natural spaces and acknowledging the unpredictable hazards these environments can present. While trail maintenance programs work to identify and remove hazardous trees, the vastness of these forests makes comprehensive monitoring challenging. As the friends and families of these women navigate their grief, the broader outdoor community is left to reflect on both the profound joys and inherent risks of wilderness exploration—recognizing that these women died doing what they loved, in the company of friends, in the embrace of the natural world that had brought them so much fulfillment throughout their lives.
