Parts of Mount Baldy are closed as crews continue their recovery efforts following the deaths of three hikers. On December 29, rescue teams responded to various incidents in the Angeles National Forest, resulting in closures due to dangerous conditions.
California officials and the United States Forest Service are encouraging hikers to avoid Mount Baldy after a series of dangerous rescues, including the deaths of three hikers during severe winter weather.
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Mount Baldy, formally known as Mount San Antonio, is Los Angeles County’s highest peak at 10,064 feet and a popular hiking destination year-round. In the winter, the mountain is noted for rapidly changing weather, fierce winds, icy routes, and sheer drop-offs that can pose a concern to even experienced hikers.
Rescue teams from San Bernardino County and Fontana reacted Monday to reports of a 19-year-old hiker who fell about 500 feet at Devil’s Backbone, a small ridgeline noted for high winds and exposure. During the initial search, deputies discovered two other hikers nearby. The identities of the three hikers who died have not been revealed.
According to officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, heavy winds and harsh weather made rescue efforts difficult throughout the day as personnel attempted to reach all three persons.
Later, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s aircraft joined the operation, but unsafe wind conditions again delayed rescue efforts.
In a second incident on Monday, two trapped hikers were rescued after falling approximately 100 feet near the Ontario Peak Trail.
Following the deaths of three hikers and the recent rescue of two others, the US Forest Service has temporarily closed portions of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, including the Mount Baldy closure area, commencing December 31.
“The tragic loss of life on Mt. Baldy and repeated rescue responses highlight how dangerous current conditions are, even for experienced hikers,” San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a statement. “Weather and terrain conditions remain extremely dangerous and unpredictable, posing a significant risk to both the public and Search and Rescue personnel. The temporary closure of Mt. Baldy trails is necessary to prevent additional emergencies and protect lives. The public is urged to respect the closure and avoid the area until it is safe to reopen.”
Anyone who breaches posted closure signs may face a $5,000 fine and up to six months in prison.
