KINGSBURY -- Three wandering children along the Tahoe Rim Trail were the center of a search-and-rescue operation when they became separated from their father around noon Tuesday, authorities said.
They were found at 4:55 p.m.
The incident began when the father came back to Ridge Tahoe, where the family from Antelope, Calif. was staying, to find his children had not returned, said Sgt. Tom Mezzetta. He described the lost party as two boys ages 13 and 11 and 9-year-old girl.
Ten Douglas County search-and-rescue staff members were called at 2:25 p.m. Ridge Tahoe security, sheriff's investigators and patrol deputies helped with the search.
"They're wearing sweatshirts and shorts so until the sun goes down they should be OK," Mezzetta said before the trio was found.
Authorities believed the children took one of the many fire roads that combed the dirt roads.
A deputy found the children about a mile from the foot of Kingsbury Grade, in the Carson Valley.
Search members were relieved the children were found before night arrived.
"It's wonderful," said Pete Duffy, a rescue member not on the search. "It's the best news we can get."