People with kids that young don't just "take a longer route" on their vacation without telling someone.
My family and I have changed plans without telling anyone before but what we wouldn't do was not cancel a reservation because after a certain time you get charged whether you show up or not.
While I lived at home before I got married, my parents always insisted on my checking in when I travelled. They told me quite plainly that they trusted me and weren't checking up on me but just wanted to know I was safe. I appreciated it because I knew that if my car went off the road, I wouldn't be laying dying in a ditch for days. It was reassusing to me to know that someone would be looking for me within a matter of hours if I was too over due. It gives great peace of mind to know that someone iw looking out after you.
Supposedly, the weather was so bad at the time it was a "white-out". I have read that there are trecherous drop offs and cliffs in the area.
The situation sounds very bad indeed. Many prayers for this young family.
Unfortunately they do. I think it was about a year ago maybe two a family went missing in Oregon in their RV. The driver saw a road on the map and took it. Locals knew better than to take an RV across it anytime of year. The RV got in a snow storm and the road was closed for the winter. IIRC I think a family member finally had to hike out a considerable distance. It's been too long for me to remember the specifics of it but I remember reading about it. It was national new I think nearly three weeks. No sign of foul play and not to be found.