Summary (tl;dr)

Mount Baldy is trending after rescue crews discovered three deceased hikers on the mountain, days after a winter storm and amidst severe winds that hampered recovery efforts.

Essential Background

Mount Baldy, officially known as Mount San Antonio, is a prominent 10,064-foot peak in the San Gabriel Mountains near Los Angeles, California, known for its challenging terrain. The mountain is popular among hikers but is also recognized as one of the nation's deadliest peaks, especially during winter months when conditions become treacherous with icy slopes and rapid weather changes. Leading up to the incident, Southern California experienced an atmospheric river that brought significant rainfall and several inches of snow to higher elevations on the mountain, exacerbating already dangerous conditions.

The Full Story

On Monday, December 29, 2025, search and rescue teams were dispatched to Mount Baldy after a 19-year-old hiker reportedly fell approximately 500 feet near the Devil's Backbone trail, a notoriously dangerous ridge leading to the summit. A friend who was with the injured hiker managed to reach an area with cell service to call for help and provide GPS coordinates.

During aerial search efforts, deputies located the injured 19-year-old and two other unidentified individuals nearby. However, severe Santa Ana winds made it unsafe for helicopters to perform an immediate rescue or recovery. Later that evening, an air medic was eventually hoisted down by a Los Angeles County airship and confirmed that all three individuals were deceased. Recovery operations were further delayed into Tuesday afternoon due to persistent high winds. Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased. In a separate incident on the same day, two other hikers, an 18-year-old and a 31-year-old, were rescued uninjured from the Ontario Peak Trail on Mount Baldy after one sustained a fall. The U.S. Forest Service temporarily closed Mount Baldy to visitors on Monday night for safety reasons.

Why It Matters

The tragic deaths on Mount Baldy highlight the extreme dangers of winter hiking in the San Gabriel Mountains, even for experienced individuals. The incident has intensified calls from elected officials, including San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe and U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, for the U.S. Forest Service to implement stronger preventative measures and consider closing trails during hazardous conditions. The mountain's accessibility from the Los Angeles area often draws hikers who may be unprepared for its rapidly changing and severe weather, contributing to its grim record of fatalities. This event serves as a critical reminder for the public to adequately prepare, understand personal limits, and check weather conditions before venturing into mountainous terrain, particularly during winter.

Geographic Location

• Mount Baldy (Mount San Antonio), San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino County, California, United States (location of hiker fatalities and rescue operations)
• Devil's Backbone Trail, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino County, California, United States (location where the 19-year-old hiker fell and bodies were discovered)
• Ontario Peak Trail, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino County, California, United States (location of a separate hiker rescue)