Searchers find missing hiker in North Cascades National Park

Search-and-rescue crews have found a hiker who has been missing since last weekend.

Mary Hyde Wingfield was found in North Cascades National Park shortly after 2:30 p.m, said Chief Ranger Kinsey Shilling.

A helicopter crew scouring the rugged area for Wingfield found her "in a standing position" nearly 5-miles from a trailhead, he said.

Wingfield, 33, was flown to Diablo where she is being evaluated by paramedics for dehydration.

"She's just a tough individual," Shilling said. "She's still with the paramedics."More than 30 people, along with three dog teams, searched for Wingfield.A white 1997 Toyota Corolla registered to Wingfield was found at about 5:30 Wednesday night at the entrance of Stetattle Creek Trail, Lt. Scott Rossmiller of the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office said Thursday.

Searchers had discovered two shoe prints that match Wingfield's size and the make of shoe she may have been wearing, Shilling said. They also found a water bottle, a dental insurance card, a grocery store membership card and a note on her employer's letterhead indicating she was in an emergency state without food or water.

The note, signed by Wingfield, said she was heading downstream.

The clues have allowed crews, who had spread out through several trails in the park, to narrow their search area.

Wingfield had told a friend she was going hiking near Darrington last Friday and would return Sunday. By Tuesday, the friend had not heard from her and contacted police.

Earlier this week, search-and-rescue crews combed hiking areas near Darrington but were unable to find the woman or her car. Friends and family told Seattle police Wingfield is an avid hiker who often hikes alone.

Wingfield is an administrative assistant at the heart center of Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center. Program assistant Deana Semenza described her as "a go-getter."

"She is a joy and we miss her terribly here in the heart center," she said.

Semenza said her and other staff members were gathering for a prayer meeting today, and would be heading to the search site this weekend.

"We do believe that she'll turn up today," she said.

Whatcom and Skagit County deputies are aiding rangers from the National Park Service in the search, Shilling said.

Christina Siderius: csiderius@seattletimes.com