A pair of hikers found themselves lost in the dark after taking a wrong turn and losing the trail while hiking near Aspen, Colorado.

According to a press release from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, a male and female hiker, in their 60s, set out to hike to Maroon Lake from East Maroon Portal. As darkness fell, the hikers wandered off the trail and lost their way in the backcountry.

Shortly after, authorities received an alert for two overdue hikers. Search and rescue crews hiked in at 5:10 p.m. on Saturday and found both of the lost hikers at about 7:00 p.m. on the East Maroon Trail, just beyond the junction with the Maroon Creek Trail. The lost hikers were provided with warm clothing and brought back down to the East Maroon Portal.

Maroon Bells Snowmass Wilderness is located in the Elk Mountains near Aspen. The backcountry offers access to incredible hiking, backpacking, and hunting. It’s one of Colorado’s most iconic hiking destinations, featuring alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and the “ Deadly Bells.” The map below shows the location of Maroon Lake.

Thanks goes out to crews involved in search and rescue efforts, including Mountain Rescue Aspen, Cameron Rescue Center, and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office.

Rescue crews also responded to an injured hiker who had fallen on the trail to Crater Lake. She was safely escorted back to the trailhead and transferred to the hospital by ambulance.

Don’t get lost out on the trail. Do your research and study the trail well in advance. Before you go, check the trail conditions and weather forecast. You may have also noticed the trails are looking a little different out there. Be ready for ice, snow, and mud on the trails. It’s a good idea to carry microspikes or crampons with you for extra traction. As always, use extra caution and wear protective clothing if hiking this time of year.

Editor’s Note: Help fund search and rescue missions across the state of Colorado by purchasing a CORSAR card at  ihelpsearch.org. This is not an insurance card. By purchasing a card, you are helping reimburse teams for costs incurred in providing help to lost and injured hikers, climbers, mountain bikers, hunters, ATV riders, skiers, snowboarders, and more.