ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST — Officials early Thursday found and rescued two brothers who had spent the night in the Angeles National Forest after becoming lost during a day hike near Switzer Falls.

One of the brothers had to be hoisted from a cliff by helicopter, however neither appeared injured following their 12-hour ordeal, Los Angeles County sheriff’s Sgt. Debra Herman said.

The brothers, 54 and 48 years old, went hiking in the Angeles National Forest north of Altadena Wednesday afternoon and were expected back by family members at 5:30 p.m., the sergeant said.

Family members became worried and called authorities about 10 p.m. after the hikers still hadn’t returned, she said.

A search was launched, and one of the brothers was discovered about 6:40 a.m., trapped on a mountainside in the Switzer Falls area of the forest, Herman said. He was hoisted to safety via a sheriff’s helicopter.

The second brother was found 45 minutes later about a mile away, officials said. It was not clear exactly where he was found.

Sheriff’s officials escorted the men back to their car, and they went on their way, Herman said.

The particular area of forest where the men were hiking can be especially treacherous in the wake of 2009 Station Fire and subsequent erosion, officials cautioned.

“The Switzer Falls area was really really affected with fire and rains,” Herman said. “The trails have washed out. The signage is not correct.”

Even those familiar with the area may find themselves confused by the recent landscape changes, she said.

“It’s quite different. We’ve actually had very, very experienced hikers who have gone up to that area and gotten lost.”