Summary (tl;dr)

Three hikers have been found dead on Mount Baldy in Southern California after severe winds prevented rescue and recovery operations for the popular but treacherous peak.

Essential Background

Mount Baldy, also known as Mount San Antonio, is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, overlooking the Los Angeles area. It is known for its challenging and often dangerous hiking conditions, particularly during winter when ice, snow, and strong winds make trails hazardous. The mountain has a history of fatalities and numerous rescue operations, including the death of actor Julian Sands in 2023. Furthermore, some trails leading to the summit had been officially closed until December 2025 following a September 2024 wildfire, though some hikers continued to use them.

The Full Story

On Monday, December 29, 2025, search and rescue teams were dispatched to Mount Baldy after a 19-year-old male hiker reportedly fell approximately 500 feet near the Devil's Backbone trail. A friend accompanying him managed to reach an area with cell service to alert the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and provide GPS coordinates. During an aerial search for the injured teenager, deputies located him and, unexpectedly, discovered the bodies of two other unidentified individuals nearby, who were not part of the same hiking group. Severe Santa Ana winds, with gusts up to 85 mph, significantly hampered rescue efforts, preventing helicopters from safely completing a hoist operation to retrieve the victims. An air medic was eventually hoisted down around 7:30 p.m. Monday, confirming all three individuals were deceased. Recovery operations for the bodies are currently underway.

Why It Matters

This tragic event underscores the inherent dangers of hiking on Mount Baldy, especially during extreme winter weather conditions. The mountain's accessibility from a major metropolitan area attracts many hikers, some of whom may be ill-prepared for the rapidly changing and harsh conditions, which can be 40 degrees cooler than the basin below. The incident also rekindles concerns about public safety on popular trails, particularly given the previous closure orders due to wildfire damage and the mountain's known treacherous nature.

Geographic Location

• Devil's Backbone Trail, Mount Baldy, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino County, California, United States (where hikers were found deceased)
• Mount Baldy, San Bernardino County, California, United States (general location of the incident and ongoing recovery efforts)