Two out-of-state visitors were rescued early Tuesday morning in Rocky Mountain National Park after they became lost on a snow-packed trail in the dark.

At about 10:30 p.m. Monday a man called, with a poor cell phone connection, seeking help for him and his brother who were in trouble near Bierstadt Lake, according to a park news release.

Rocky Mountain National Park Search and Rescue team members reached the pair at about 1 a.m. as snow was falling. The men, wet and cold, were unprepared to spend the night in wintry conditions.

“This incident could have ended differently, if the two out of state visitors had not been fortunate to have cell phone coverage and a charged battery,” the release said.

The rescue serves as a reminder, for all visitors, that winter conditions continue in the Colorado high country, including in Rocky Mountain National Park at elevations over 9,000 feet.

People using, or traveling through, higher elevations should be prepared and have survival essentials including storm gear and warm appropriate clothing, hats, gloves and extra socks, the release said.

Back country users should have water, high-energy food, sturdy footwear, topographic maps and a compass or GPS, flashlight or headlamp, waterproof matches, pocket knife, whistle, sunglasses with UV protection and sunscreen, it said.

People getting out in the back country should always tell someone, who is not on the trip, about where they are going and when they should be expected back. Cell phone coverage in the mountains is limited, and batteries tend to run low faster in colder weather.

Back country users should check trail conditions before they set out. For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm or call the park’s information office at 970-586-1206.