The puzzling disappearance of Shirley Baumann near Lake Blethen
Shirley Baumann, disappeared July 20, 2020, Quartz Creek Trail from Middle Fork Road in North Bend, Washington
Revised April 2024
Shirley Baumann, 61, was hiking to Lake Blethen in Washington on Monday, July 20, 2020, using the Quartz Creek Trail from Middle Fork Road in North Bend. She was meant to return on Wednesday, July 22, but failed to show up.
Shirley was an experienced hiker who walked in the wilderness at least once a week. She was 5 feet, 4 inches tall, and weighed about 145 pounds, with hazel eyes and blonde hair. On the day she disappeared, she was likely to have brown sunglasses, reading glasses, and a cellphone (not a smartphone) with her.
The area is described as treacherous with many large cliffs, making it hard to search on foot.
According to King County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Ryan Abbott, Search and Rescue volunteers spent over 3,000 hours searching in the Snoqualmie River Middle Fork area of North Bend. Abbott said crews found Baumann’s car at an area trailhead and a friend said dogs were able to pick up her scent on the trail and near her campsite.
Lake Blethen, Washington
On July 28, the ground search was suspended, with a helicopter search continuing. Her hiking and camping gear was found but no sign of Shirley.
The case is ongoing, and it is strange that Shirley’s gear has turned up, but no sign of her or any remains.
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Sources
https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/search-underway-missing-hiker-snoqualmie-area/XAAOPF56VZBEDM7Q7WGSTAC3QY/
https://livingsnoqualmie.com/hiker-still-missing-in-middle-fork-area-of-north-bend-search-and-rescue-plans-to-head-into-area-again/
