"Though trails have reopened, hazardous winter conditions still persist and hikers should come prepared to meet snow-covered trails, icy sections, limited visibility, and the possibility of sudden storms, said the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department in a news release. That means evaluating weather conditions, carrying appropriate gear, and understanding personal limits."
"Severe weather and recovery efforts for three hikers who were found dead on Mount Baldy led to the trail closures on Dec. 29, 2025 directly following the death of Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old from Seal Beach. A freshman at Santa Clara University who was visiting home for the holidays, Casanova fell about 500 feet near the Devil's Backbone trail while hiking with a friend, according to officials. His friend called local officials for help and gave them GPS coordinates. Rescuers searching for Casanova also found the bodies of two men near him, Juan Sarat Lopez, 37, and Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, 36, according to officials."
"Located above 10,000 feet, Mount Baldy is known for its quick changing weather, steep exposed trails, snow, ice, and high winds. These conditions can become dangerous even for prepared and experienced hikers. Between 2016 and 2025, 23 people died while hiking on Mount Baldy, according to the news release. Most of those people did not live in the area, and most deaths occurred in the Devil's Backbone and Icehouse Canyon areas."
Trails on Mount Baldy that had been closed have reopened, but hazardous winter conditions remain. Hikers should expect snow-covered trails, icy sections, limited visibility, and the possibility of sudden storms. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department advises evaluating weather conditions, carrying appropriate gear, and understanding personal limits before hiking. Severe weather and recovery efforts led to the Dec. 29, 2025 closures after three hikers were found dead, including 19-year-old Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova and two men believed to have fallen from the same trail. Mount Baldy sits above 10,000 feet and features steep exposed trails, high winds, and rapidly changing weather that can endanger visitors.
Read at www.dailybulletin.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]