A family of seven, who were taking advantage of the free admittance to Joshua Tree National Park yesterday, got a little more excitement than they planned. According to Sheriff’s Corporal Steve Everhart, Steve and Tamara Funk and their five children, ages 3 to 8 years old, were hiking the Desert Queen Mine trail in the park when they wandered off the trail and became lost. Everhart said the family was not dressed for cold weather, nor did they have any food or water with them. Despite sketchy phone service, they did manage to call for help about 7 p.m. Monday night. Deputy Robert Hazell found the family at 8:22 p.m., in a wash about 900 meters northeast of the dirt road. No one was injured. The Park Service reminds visitors to dress in layers with hats and sunglasses, and to bring plenty of water with you on the trail on when hiking.
