Missing hiker discovered

Published 11:51 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE PASS – A hiker reported missing four days earlier was found alive and well near the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River on July 15.

According to the King County Sheriff’s Office, George Hurlbut, 59, went on a day hike on Sunday, July 11. When he didn’t show up for work on Monday at Washington Mutual, his co-workers began checking areas where he might have gone. At the same time Hurlbut’s wife filed a missing person report with Seattle police.

Co-workers located the missing man’s 2000 Ford Explorer at the Denny Creek Trailhead shortly after noon on July 13. The King County Sheriff’s Office was notified and a search began.

The search was suspended at nightfall, but continued early on July 14. The following day, the man was discovered by passing motorists on Middle Fork Road.

Hurlbut was taken to Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue where he was treated for dehydration.