A Mountain Home family that had intended to camp in the East Boise Foothills Sunday decided to abandon that planned when temperatures dropped in the late afternoon — but they got lost on the way back to their vehicle, according to the Ada County Sheriff's Office.
Fortunately, they had a cellphone and were able to a signal to call 911. At about 5:25 p.m., a man called emergency dispatchers to report his family needed help finding their way back to their vehicle.
The family of four had parked at the end of Council Springs in East Boise and hiked up Homestead Trail. Ada County Sheriff's Office responded and called for assistance from Idaho Mountain Search & Rescue, an all-volunteer team with expertise in rescues in Idaho's backcountry.
The sheriff's office also enlisted the help of an Air St. Luke's helicopter. At 6:15 p.m., the air ambulance spotted the family and airlifted the group out.
