Search Crews Recover Body of Missing Hiker Steven Dorsett

WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday, July 11, that search crews recovered the body of missing hiker Steven Dorsett. The discovery was the first of two major missing hiker searches in Whatcom County this month to a tragic end.

Dorsett, 55, left the Canyon Creek Trailhead on June 24 for a backpacking trip expected to last no more than 10 days. When he failed to return, deputies found his vehicle at the trailhead and launched an extensive search across the North Cascades.

Authorities recovered Dorsett’s body Saturday afternoon in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. They have not released the exact recovery location or the cause of death.

Weeks-Long Search Drew Regional Response

During the search, investigators asked hikers who traveled through Harts Pass, the Pasayten Trail, Big Craggy and the Pacific Crest Trail to report possible sightings of Dorsett or his distinctive backpacking gear. Deputies also believed he may have planned to hike toward Corral Lake, although they never confirmed his intended route.

Following the recovery, the sheriff’s office thanked the many agencies and volunteers who spent weeks searching the remote wilderness.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the many agencies and volunteers who assisted throughout this operation and recovery efforts,” the sheriff’s office said.

Assisting agencies included the Whatcom County Search & Rescue Council, Whatcom County Search & Rescue 4×4 Unit, Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council, Everett Mountain Rescue, Skagit Mountain Rescue, National Park Rangers, the Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team, the Snohomish County Swift Water Team and Cristina Woodworth with Central Okanagan Search & Rescue.

Second Missing Hiker Search Ends in Tragedy

Dorsett’s disappearance marked the second major missing hiker search in Whatcom County this month. His case followed a separate search for British Columbia hiker Gursimran Singh, who also disappeared in the North Cascades in late June.

Although the cases were unrelated, both prompted extensive multi-agency search efforts involving local volunteers and specialized rescue teams from across Washington and British Columbia.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office extended its condolences to Dorsett’s family and thanked the many agencies and volunteers who dedicated their time and resources throughout the search and recovery operation.

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