Photo: CTV

Two female hikers were rescued late Sunday in Vancouver's North Shore mountains.

The women were in challenging terrain at Cypress Provincial Park near Lions Bay.

The pair was reached by rescuers and safely hiked out after becoming separated from their group of four on the Unnecessary Mountain Trail.

Lions Bay Search and Rescue crews were called in, but it was too dark to use the team's helicopter.

SAR member Brent Calkin said the trail is one of “the steepest and most difficult trails” in the area.

The women were wearing light gear and were not equipped to spend the night outdoors.

– with files from CTV Vancouver