Group of hikers found in canyon
Six hikers who were unable to locate wandering aimlessly among the Cleveland National Forest at nightfall were located on Sunday morning safe and without injury.
Family members of the six women and two men contacted officials when the hikers did not come back from their hike by 6 p.m. Saturday from a day’s venture.
The group of knowledgeable hikers, who were from age 40 to late 50, gathered at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Pine Creek Trailhead for a fun day hike. They had no known medical conditions and had provisions such as food, water, and necessary clothing.
The San Diego Sheriff’s Department’s Search and Rescue Unit and ASTREA helicopter circling the area located the group of hikers in the canyon about three miles from the intersection of Lyons Valley and Japatul roads at 8:30 a.m.
Also assisting in the hunt for the group were CAL Fire, San Diego Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, volunteers from the Salvation Army and the U.S. Border Patrol.
According to officials, the hikers were not distraught and all just desired to hike out of the canyon.
