There must be something else to this story. Apparently, a third member of their hike turned back before reachig Meysen Lake, having become "sick," according to another report.
Yes, to reach Cedar Grove over any high pass would have been fairly snowy going. Going over Colby Pass toward Roaring River ranger station would have also taken them to 12,000 feet. An easier and shorter exit would have been South over Cottonwood Pass.
