Idaho teens rescued from Montana back country

Four 19-year-old Idaho hikers were rescued from an area near the Garnet Mountain Fire Lookout Tower Thursday.

The Gallatin County, Montana Sheriff’s Office received a call at 8:17 a.m. from a man who said he and three friends were stranded. He reported the group hiked to Lookout Tower, but encountered deep snow and became fatigued. One female member of the group suffered a pulled muscle in her hip.

The Sheriff’s Office said the group was dressed for warm weather and was unprepared for treacherous mountain hiking.

A Gallatin County deputy and members of the county Sheriff’s Search and Rescue responded to the Rat Lake Trailhead. Snowmobiles and a tracked four-wheeler were used to navigate the trail to the Lookout Tower.

The team reached the hikers about 3 hours later and transported the group out of the area. None required medical attention.