The ledge was about 150 below the lip of the gorge, he said.
The helicopter made several trips to take the hikers out two at a time between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., Kelly said.
He said the group from suburban Buffalo was hiking Sunday when rising waters from heavy rainfall cut off their access to a trail leading out of the gorge, a popular hiking area located along the Erie-Cattaraugus county line 30 miles south of Buffalo.
Heavy rains fell Sunday across western New York. When that happens, water levels in the gorge "can rise 3-4 feet quite quickly," Kelly said.
Attempts to reach the group Sunday night were hampered by fog and darkness, and the rescue effort was put off until daylight, he said.
The group included three women and six men from Kenmore, Tonawanda and Williamsville.
The hikers, dressed in T-shirts and shorts, called 911 around 8 p.m. Sunday to report they were trapped in the gorge, Kelly said. Overnight temperatures dipped to the high 50s.
All nine were taken to Tri-County Hospital in Gowanda to be checked out. Eight were treated and released and the ninth declined treatment, according to hospital spokeswoman Kendrick Bentham.
