4 Stranded Mountain Bikers Rescued near Switzer Campground in Angeles National Forest

The following press release is from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department:

Four Mountain Bikers Rescued After Being Stuck at Top of Paul Little Debris Basin (4 miles above JPL). Members of the #LASD Montrose Search and Rescue Team responded to the area of Switzer Campground in the Angeles National Forest, Mile Marker 27.6 of Angeles Crest Highway, to search for four lost mountain bikers on Sat, Aug. 3, 2013, at 11pm. 

After receiving an urgent text message from her missing son, the mother of the one of the bikers telephoned Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station to report the bikers missing. At approximately 1am, Sunday, the team located the bikers. The team assisted the bikers out of the canyon to the safety of the roadway. The bikers were then transported back to their vehicle at Mount Wilson. There were no reported injuries. The four bikers were all men in the early 20's, at least one of whom was from Culver City.

Prior to the 2009 "Station Fire," this ride used to be a pleasant 3 hour bike ride. However, due to the Station Fire and subsequent floods and debris flow, this trail is now closed by the US Forest Service. For riders who don't heed the warning, it is now an eight hour "suffer fest" of "hike and bike" because you have to carry your bike as much as you ride it for eight hours, and many riders often get stuck or caught by darkness.