- Three adults and two children rescued from the Greenhorn Mountains trail
- The group became tired on Wednesday due to the falling temperatures
- They were rescued after a multi-agency mission involving Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, Rye Fire and Flight for Life.
A family of five who became stuck on a Colorado hiking trail amid frigid conditions and bitter winds have been rescued after a grueling seven-hour mission.
The three adults and two children were rescued from the Greenhorn Mountains on Wednesday evening after becoming stranded.
The group from Chicago was nearing the summit when they were overwhelmed by the effects of the altitude, unexpected snow and their experience level, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.
As dusk approached, the family realized they were running low on food and ill-equipped for the freezing temperatures and 10-mph winds.
Fortunately, the sheriff’s units, Rye Fire and Flight for Life, were able to reach them before they succumbed to the bitter conditions during nightfall.
A family of five was rescued from the Greenhorn Mountains on Wednesday after becoming fatigued while hiking near the summit
The three adults and two children from Chicago were retrieved after a multi-agency rescue mission that lasted nearly seven hours
Members of the SAR team were taken by flight for life to the summit of North Peak, where the GPS used located the cold and hungry family and gave them food, water and warmth.
As darkness fell over them, the SAR team members hiked the family about a mile over the summit, where they were met by fire personnel who had hiked from the Bartlett Trailhead.
The entire group then hiked the rest of the way to the top of Ophir Creek, where emergency vehicles were waiting for them.
They made it down the mountain safely and were reunited with concerned family members who had completed the hike.
“While this rescue took a lot of time and coordination by everyone involved, we commend this family for the things they did that led to their successful rescue,” the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said.
“The family had some of the recommended items in an outdoor survival kit and told family members about their hiking plans before leaving.
‘They were also aware that they could call for help before it became a life-threatening emergency, before it got dark and before their mobile phone died.
“They also followed the instructions of the 9-1-1 operator and remained in one location until rescuers could arrive and locate them.”
The family became stranded as dusk approached and realized they were ill-equipped for the plunging temperatures and bitter winds
Members of the SAR team were taken by Flight for Life to the summit of North Peak, where the GPS used located the cold and hungry family and provided them with food, water and warmth.
The Greenhorn Trail is 12.5 kilometers long, starting at an altitude of 2,000 meters and ending at an altitude of 11,340 meters.
Police urged hikers to be prepared and aware of conditions and options before heading out, especially at this time of year when conditions can change quickly and the sun sets earlier.
“We commend all responders for a successful and safe operation,” the statement added.
The impressive operation earned the teams praise from social media users.
“We are so blessed to have men and women who are willing to come to the rescue, wherever and whenever. Thank you,” Carol Lombard wrote.
Mary Kay Deveritch said, “Glad it was a rescue and not a recovery. I saw the helicopter coming from Pueblo and flying around an hour later with searchlights on.”
Debbie Cordova added, “Great work! Glad everyone is safe. It could have ended very differently. I’m glad they have mobile coverage.’
The Greenhorn Trail is 7.7 miles long, starting at 8,460 feet and ending at 11,340 feet, an elevation gain of 3,880 feet.
The trail is described by the US Forest Service as moderately difficult to hike.