Found Deceased WA - Garrett Canada, 18, Lava Canyon Trail, Cougar, 15 Oct 2018

[JerseyGirl]

The sheriff’s office said deputies responded October 15 after getting a call from Avery Jackson, 19, of Kelso, who said her hiking partner, Garrett Canada, 18, also of Kelso, was missing.

They were hiking on the Lava Canyon Trail, at the end of National Forest Road 83, about 18 miles east of Cougar.

Jackson told officials the two became separated after she stopped to shoot photos. She hiked around the trail system, and waited at their car to check with other hikers, but had no luck. She found a ride to Cougar where she called for help, the sheriff’s office said.

A responding deputy found Canada’s vehicle, and the Volcano Rescue Team organized a search.

Around 3 a.m. Tuesday, rescue teams found indications Canada may have entered the water near or just past the first waterfall through Lava Canyon.

Search teams, dive crews, a drone and a helicopter continued searching the area Wednesday and Thursday, and found additional evidence Canada may have ended up in the water.

He was not found, and the search was suspended Thursday afternoon.

Search suspended for missing Kelso hiker

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

Searchers found evidence that Garrett Canada may have entered the water. The Lava Canyon Trail parallels and crosses the Muddy River on the southeast side of the volcano in Skamania County. The river in that area flows swiftly through a narrow, rocky gorge and cascades over a significant waterfall.

Search called off for Kelso hiker who vanished in Lava Canyon near volcano

Also, about the trail (from here: Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Trail #184 Lava Canyon):

The upper trail is barrier-free and paved to a waterfall viewpoint. This portion is the easiest and leads you past a series of interpretive signs, which describe the formation of the canyon. Below the waterfall viewpoint the trail becomes more difficult; it is no longer paved and skirts high cliffs. This segment forms a loop, crossing the canyon on a 125-foot cable suspension bridge. The bridge provides spectacular views of the canyon below but may be unnerving to some hikers. The trail returns on the south side of the canyon, crossing a steel bridge upstream of the waterfalls and rejoins the paved trail. The lower trail is most difficult as it descends steeply into the canyon. If you are uncomfortable with heights, this segment is not for you. Beginning at the suspension bridge, the trail crosses an exposed cliff face followed by a water crossing with a cable grab-line. A 30-foot metal ladder descends a vertical cliff providing access to the canyons deepest recesses and roaring waterfalls. The trail soon intersects Ship Trail 184B which climbs 0.2 mile to a viewpoint atop the Ship, a lava formation that overlooks a long series of waterfalls in the lower canyon. A few tenths of a mile further, the canyon begins to broaden and flatten as it approaches a large alluvial fan spreading into the Smith Creek valley. Here the Lava Canyon Trail ends where it intersects Smith Creek Trail 225. A car shuttle to the lower trailhead permits a one-way downhill hike.

 

[AzPistonsGirl]

Trail Guide: Hike to Mount St. Helen's Lava Canyon

 

[GraceG]

I grew up nearby. I remember the warning sign well. I believe there have been seven deaths there since 1995, the last one being last year. Vancouver hiker killed in fall from Lava Canyon Trail
Praying they find him for closure.

 

[Darling136]

Body of missing hiker, 18, found near Mount St. Helens

Found deceased

 

[MissMYB]

Nature can be beautiful and brutal. Rest well nature lover.