This was posted on the National Park Service Web site today.

On the afternoon of Thursday, July 23rd, a 17-year-old boy from New York disappeared while hiking with his family on a southwest section of the Wonderland Trail. The family hiked west from Longmire on the Wonderland as far as Pyramid Creek that morning, then began their return hike to Longmire, retracing their earlier route. The boy was last seen by his family at the Kautz Creek crossing, where he moved ahead of the group. A ground search was conducted on Thursday evening and resumed on Friday morning. When ground searchers were unable to locate the boy, a helicopter was called in to assist. He was spotted by the helicopter team in the Kautz Creek drainage near the point last seen just after 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon. He was air lifted to the Kautz helibase and was reunited with family members at Longmire. He reportedly attempted to shortcut on a social trial which took him north, further up the drainage and above the initial search area. A total of 29 park staff and a helicopter and crew from Northwest Helicopters were assigned to the incident. Laura Bellasalma was incident commander. [Submitted by Patti Wold, PIO]

Wednesday is the last day to register for the second Paddle Kitsap, a two-day paddle trip around the north end of the Kitsap Peninsula.

Whether its a kayak, canoe, rowing, or other human powered craft , participants can enjoy the natural beauty, challenge of the course and making new paddling friends.

Paddlers will leave from Port Gamble and paddle around the north end of the peninsula to Kingston on the first day. Day two continues on to Poulsbo.

Paddle Kitsap is for all levels of paddlers. You do not have to be an expert to paddle this course. It is fully supported so you can paddle a little or all of it depending on your ability and how you are feeling. Most of the course does not leave the shoreline and the open water crossings are short in duration.

The cost is $175 per person.

Click here to learn more about the event.

Families headed to North Cascades National Park Complex can let their children take part in a renewed Junior Ranger program.

The park complex has relaunched the free program with four new age-appropriate activity booklets.

The Junior Ranger program goals are for children to have fun in the park and to foster a lasting relationship with the North Cascades, said park superintendent Chip Jenkins.

“The free Junior Ranger program is a great way for families to explore the park together,” Jenkins said in a news release.

The Junior Ranger booklets introduce the unique natural and cultural history of the North Cascades, through a series of activities organized around a specific theme to build connections and knowledge of the park, the release said.

Each booklet also has a “totem animal” that helps guide kids and families through the activities and offers instruction, hints and ways they can explore the North Cascades. Activities are grouped by ages 3-5 (Pacific Tree Frog), 5-8 (Black Bear), 8-11 (Raven), and 12 and older (Mountain Goat).

Children can earn Junior Rangers badges, patches and certificates by completing at least six activities in the Junior Ranger booklet. The booklets are available at any of the six visitor information centers in
North Cascades National Park Complex.