A tragic incident unfolded on Mount Baldy in Southern California after three hikers were found dead during a rescue operation in the San Gabriel Mountains. Authorities say the deaths followed a fall along a dangerous section of trail, compounded by extreme weather conditions that made rescue efforts impossible.
The situation began when emergency crews received a distress call reporting that a 19 year old hiker had fallen an estimated 500 feet near the Devil’s Backbone area. One member of the group reportedly hiked out of the area to find cell phone service and shared GPS coordinates with rescuers, triggering a large scale search operation.
Rescue teams, including air support, were dispatched to the mountain. During an aerial search, a helicopter crew located the injured hiker along with two other members of the group. However, powerful winds and hazardous conditions prevented a helicopter from safely reaching them. Ground teams later confirmed that all three hikers had died.
Officials emphasized that Mount Baldy can become extremely dangerous, especially during winter conditions when high winds, cold temperatures, and icy terrain increase the risk for hikers. Following the incident, certain trails in the area were temporarily closed as authorities urged the public to avoid unnecessary risks.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and has renewed warnings for hikers to check weather conditions, avoid exposed ridgelines, and carry proper safety equipment before attempting hikes in mountainous terrain.
This tragedy serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly conditions can turn deadly in high altitude environments, even for experienced hikers.