The hikers were Colorado University students who had planned to spend three nights and four days in the Los Padres National Forest.
The group started hiking at China Camp in Carmel Valley on Saturday and hiked 12 miles to Sykes Camp, located on the Pine Ridge Trail about 10 miles from Big Sur, according to the sheriff's office.
The rising river level overnight left the students stranded because they were unable to cross it.
The hikers, led by student guides Chris Dickson and Brianna Traxinger, both 21, had been snowed on during their hike. Their equipment was wet, and they were afraid to turn back to China Camp and risk hypothermia, sheriff's officials said.
The stranded students got the attention of several hikers on the other side of the river and asked them to get help.
The sheriff's office was notified at about 8:30 p.m. on Sunday and a rescue team was assembled. The team began their trek to Sykes Camp at around 6:30 a.m. Monday.
The rescue team found the students and managed to ferry them and their equipment across the river using a high line, sheriff's officials said.
The hikers were not injured and they continued their hike to Big Sur.
