Four adults and three children were located Thursday morning after being lost in the woods overnight during a trail ride in the area of Highland Township, Clarion County.
The family had rented horses at Cook Forest Scenic Trailride ranch around 10 a.m. Wednesday and had an unexpected overnight stay in the woods after getting lost and caught in heavy rain.
Terry Smith, co-owner of the ranch, said the family had taken trail maps with them but missed a trail on their way back to the ranch.
“I was amazed at how well they protected themselves,” Smith said. “They’re amazing people.”
Smith said she and her husband, Ray, tried to contact the family by cellphone throughout the night and called Clarion state police when they still hadn’t returned Thursday morning.
The search lasted less than an hour, and when the family was reached by cellphone they were given directions back to the ranch. They arrived back between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Thursday.
Smith said ambulance personnel evaluated the children, none of whom showed signs of distress or injury.
The adults, however, were interested in nothing but hot showers and warm beds after their unplanned adventure.
“We sent up lots of prayers and the Lord kept them safe,” Smith said.