Campo

Seven hikers who were reported missing Monday night on Hauser Mountain near Campo were found after a three-hour search by a Sheriff’s Department helicopter.

The hikers, all San Diego-area high school and college students, were dropped off at 1 p.m. Monday at the border, where the Pacific Crest Trail begins. They expected to be picked up at 6 p.m. at a rendezvous point in Lake Morena County Park.

At 11 p.m. the Sheriff’s Department was notified that the hikers had failed to show up.

The Border Patrol began to search 3 miles north of the trail, and the helicopter unit was called to assist. The helicopter found the first four hikers about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday and the others soon afterward.

The hikers became disoriented and lost on the trail, which was longer and more difficult than they expected, a Sheriff’s Department spokesman said. The hikers were in good shape when found.