Mother, 3 kids found stranded off Burnt Mountain Road while geocaching

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A Hillsboro woman and her three kids were stranded on an unpaved road on Burnt Mountain while geocaching in the area Sunday afternoon, officials say.

Coos County deputies found the family off Burnt Mountain Road outside Coquille after the mother, Alice Schwarz, and her children walked “a mile in the cold and rain” to get cell phone service and call for help.

Deputies say they were able to find them around 2:26 p.m.

“They were cold and wet, but otherwise in good spirits. Alice had them all well prepared with appropriate supplies,” officials said in a press release. “Deputy Lee stood by with Alice and the children while Sergeant Boswell and Deputy Churchill located her vehicle.”

The car had a log stuck under it that caused it to be “high-centered” after Schwarz had turned down the road that was still in poor condition due to January's extreme winter weather, officials say.

“This is an excellent ending to a story where Alice was well-prepared and had a plan for if/when things went wrong while exploring the beautiful Coos County wilderness,” officials said. “Good job to all involved!”