North Sound News

Teen missing after hike to Lake Serene found safe

INDEX, Wash. — UPDATE:  The missing 16-year-old has been found. He caught a ride into Everett and is OK.

Originial story:

Snohomish County Sheriff's Office search and rescue crews are looking for a teenage boy who became separated from a group of hikers on their way to Lake Serene Wednesday.

The 16-year-old Marysville boy, Fielremaroa Araya, was hiking with other teens and a counselor when he disappeared. They looked for him for a few hours before calling 911 about 9:30 p.m.

Search teams were unable to locate him after an overnight ground search of the area near the Lake Serene/Bridal Veil Falls trail.

Araya, who goes by Fik, is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds and is wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and gray sweat pants. Araya has medical issues which require daily medication and was not dressed or equipped to stay overnight in the backcountry.

Deputies say it is possible that Araya was able to hike down to SR 2 during the night and catch a ride with a passing driver.

Anyone with information about Araya's whereabouts is asked to call 911.

A search will resume Thursday and the parking lot for the Lake Serene/Bridal Veil Falls trailheads just off Mt. Index River Road will be closed to the public Thursday.