Three Hikers Found Dead on Mount Baldy Amid Hazardous Winter Conditions

Authorities in Southern California say three hikers were located deceased on Mount Baldy after rescue teams launched a search for a 19-year-old who reportedly fell hundreds of feet along a popular ridgeline trail.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reported that the incident began shortly after midday on Monday, Dec. 29, when emergency dispatchers received word that a teenage hiker had fallen approximately 500 feet near the Devil’s Backbone trail. A companion who witnessed the fall hiked until reaching cellular coverage and relayed precise GPS coordinates to rescuers, prompting an immediate search-and-rescue operation.

Discovery of three bodies during aerial sweep

Search teams deployed both ground crews and an air unit to the rugged section of the San Gabriel Mountains. During an afternoon helicopter sweep, deputies spotted the 19-year-old victim as well as two other individuals in close proximity. The second pair had been hiking separately and were discovered by chance, according to the sheriff’s department. High winds prevented the helicopter crew from conducting a hoist rescue or recovery at that time.

Later Monday evening, an air medic was lowered to the site and confirmed that all three hikers had died. Continued severe winds forced flight crews to suspend any further attempts to remove the bodies until conditions improved. The department said on Tuesday that recovery operations remain in progress.

Temporary closure of Mount Baldy trails

Because of persistent winter hazards, county officials ordered an emergency closure of all Mount Baldy trails and surrounding recreation areas through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Sheriff Shannon Dicus stated that the measure aims to safeguard the public as well as search personnel.

“The tragic loss of life on Mt. Baldy and repeated rescue responses highlight how dangerous current conditions are, even for experienced hikers,” Dicus said in a written announcement. He added that terrain and weather remain “extremely dangerous and unpredictable,” posing a significant threat to anyone attempting to access the mountain.

Violating the closure order could result in a fine of up to $5,000 or a jail sentence of as much as six months. Officials urged would-be visitors to respect the restriction and avoid the area until it reopens.

Ongoing recovery effort

The identities of the two adult hikers discovered alongside the teenager have not been released, and authorities described them only as belonging to a separate group. The name of the 19-year-old victim is also being withheld pending family notification. Deputies said weather will determine when the bodies can be safely airlifted from the steep mountainside.

Imagem: Internet

Mount Baldy, officially known as Mount San Antonio, rises to 10,064 feet and is the highest peak in Los Angeles County. The Devil’s Backbone trail, which connects the Baldy Notch area to the summit via a narrow ridgeline, is popular year-round but can become treacherous in snow, ice and high wind.

Recent pattern of winter rescues

The latest fatalities follow a series of winter emergencies in the region. During the 2024-2025 season, search teams have been dispatched repeatedly to aid hikers experiencing hypothermia or becoming lost in sudden storms. Similar incidents have occurred elsewhere in the country; earlier this month, more than 20 hikers were rescued from snow-covered Mount Washington in New Hampshire, according to local officials.

Authorities recommend that anyone planning high-elevation outings monitor forecasts closely, carry proper winter gear and be prepared to turn back if conditions deteriorate. The National Weather Service maintains up-to-date mountain advisories, which can be found on its official website.

As crews wait for winds to subside on Mount Baldy, the sheriff’s department emphasized that the temporary closure is critical to preventing additional incidents. No timeline has been announced for completing the recovery or reopening all trail access beyond the current order.

Crédito da imagem: Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images