KCSO Search and Rescue volunteers have warning for mountain drivers: come prepared

ISSAQUAH, Wash. - King County Search as Rescue has a message for people heading to the mountains: It's winter, be prepared.

It may seem like a no-brainer this time of year, but the agency says calls for help from stranded drivers and hikers have spiked.

Mike Smith, a volunteer with King County Search and Rescue, says in just one week his team has rescued 21 people, 16 of those came on Monday night.

"If it's slippery to your feet, it's going to be slippery to your car," said Smith. "We've seen everything from just road conditions like today where slick on the ground, you go up around a light corner and the vehicle will slide off the road."

The Search and Rescue team often responds to calls from people who don't have the proper equipment to be out on the mountain roads or highways and are not aware of the rapidly changing conditions.

"Vehicles these days are very, very capable. But, changing road conditions, changing snow conditions can get you stuck quickly, even with a very typical pickup that's got off-road tires," said Smith. "Things like that can still get you into trouble in the deep snow."

Smith says the worst spots are along Interstate 90, especially exit 42 at Tinkham Road and exit 47 at Denny Creek.

Last week many hikers trying to reach the ice-covered Franklin Falls got stuck because they didn't have the proper vehicles to get there.

The other issue: some drivers followed GPS instructions that directed them to a road that's closed in winter.

"We go out there to save you guys, to save the general public," said Smith. "We're not a vehicle recovery service and the tow bills for those vehicles is astronomical if you can even get them out."

Smith said it got so bad, the Summit and Snoqualmie assigned a security guard to keep cars out of one of the roads.

"We've had vehicles that have been up there an entire year and you have to come back and get them next spring when it thaws out," said Smith.