It looks like they were in this general area (which is a wide open vista to the right), which is more of a route than a trail. Conceivably, if one was really inexperienced, he/she could get panicky, but they looked darned healthy and had really nice weather for a rescue! They may not have noticed the freeway & ski resort within walking distance either. Nor, perhaps, would they have known that there is a HUGE jeep trail that rides up within less than a mile of the summit.....
The view if you looked away from the tree line
