Slain hikers are mother and daughter

A Seattle woman and her daughter were shot to death while hiking Tuesday in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

Officials with the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office said the two women suffered trauma. They declined to release anymore details.

A Dodge Caravan belonging to one of the victims was found parked at a trailhead near Pinnacle Lake, which is several miles off the Mountain Loop Highway.

The hiker who found the bodies dialed 911 around 2:30 p.m., said sheriff's spokesman Rich Niebusch. The women were last seen alive at 10:30 a.m.

Investigators have ruled out murder suicide, Niebusch said.

Sources say the women, believed to be in their 20s and 40s, are described as experienced hikers who had planned to be out for a day hike.

The older woman's husband was notified of the deaths Tuesday night.

During a news conference on the steps of the Snohomish County Courthouse this afternoon, Niebusch said no suspects have been identified. He warned people planning to hike in the Pinnacle Lake-area to be cautious.

"The sheriff's office will be working with the Forest Service to add extra protection," Niebusch said. "We're going to step up our patrols in the area."

The sheriff's office asks anyone with any information about the slayings to call 425-388-3845.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com