Lost Family Spends Night Near Saint Vrain Mountain

BOULDER COUNTY, CO — Nearly 50 rescuers searched for a family over the weekend near Saint Vrain Mountain in Boulder County, officials said. Parents and their two children were hiking in the area Saturday when they became lost, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.

The family, from Broomfield, had begun hiking cross-country at 3 p.m., and lost their way around 8:30 p.m., officials said. The parents then called 911, and a rescue effort was organized.

The family then spent the night near Saint Vrain Mountain and started a fire to keep warm.

Rescue crews began searching the area early Sunday morning, and found the family's car at the end of the Rock Creek Road/Ski Road.

When daylight hit, the family began hiking back up over the ridge, heading back to the drainage where they started, officials said.

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An air ambulance was sent to the area around 8 a.m. to help with the search, the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said. The helicopter crew spotted the family around 9:19 a.m. near the top of the mountain's ridge. A rescuer was dropped off in the area to evaluate the family and decided that they could walk back to the car with the guidance of rescuers, officials said.

The Allenspark Fire Protection District, Front Range Rescue Dogs, Med Evac, Larimer County Search and Rescue and the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group also participated in the search and rescue effort.