Mt. Baldy trails closed as winter storms bear down on California

Daniella Segura, Palm Springs Desert Sun

Wed, February 11, 2026 at 9:55 PM UTC

4 min read

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Weeks after rescuers discovered the bodies of three hikers along the Devil's Backbone trail of Mt. Baldy, officials closed hiking trails on California’s deadliest mountain ahead of back-to-back winter storms.

Trails on Mount Baldy in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument about 55 miles southwest of Victorville were closed starting Tuesday, Feb. 10, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service said in an alert.

Why are the trails closed?

“The purpose of the closure is to provide for public safety due to upcoming winter storms,” officials said.

Rain was expected to start hitting Southern California Tuesday, Feb. 10, and continue into early Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. Light rain was predicted for Thursday afternoon and evening.

Another storm is expected to hit the area next week, according to the NWS.

The storms will also bring snow to the Big Bear Lake and other California mountain regions beginning Monday, according to Accuweather.

The trail closure also comes after San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus in January urged the U.S Forest Service do more to keep mountain recreators on safe.

“The frequency of rescues our department is involved in annually, and the lack of concern for what’s happening on Mt. Baldy by those who are responsible for maintaining visitors’ safety needs to be addressed,” Dicus said in a news release.

Nearly two dozen deaths on Mt. Baldy in nine-year span

Mt. Baldy is the highest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, about 45 miles northeast of Los Angeles, according to the travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler.

The mountain rises above 10,000 feet and “is known for rapidly changing weather, steep exposed trails, snow, ice, and high winds,” according to San Bernardino County deputies.

“Even well-prepared and experienced hikers can quickly find themselves in life-threatening situations,” deputies said.

From 2016 to 2025, 23 people died on Mt. Baldy, according to deputies. During that same nine-year span, deputies said they conducted 208 air rescues and 129 ground rescues on the mountain.

“Most of these incidents involved non-residents and were concentrated in the Devil’s Backbone and Icehouse Canyon areas,” deputies said.

Most recently, three hikers died on Mt. Badly in late December.

Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, 19, was among those hikers, according to deputies.

He plunged 500 feet near Devil's Backbone on Dec. 29, then a hiking companion trekked to an area with cell service and provided GPS coordinates to deputies. All three hikers were later found dead.

“It’s been the worst six weeks of our lives since that day,” Ken Muench Casanova told KTLA 5 News.

In the wake of his son’s death, Ken Muench Casanova told the TV station he wants to alert others of the dangers of Mt. Badly.

“Nothing can bring back our son,” Ken Muench Casanova told KTLA 5.

In January 2023, actor Julian Sands, 65, went missing on the mountain, prompting a monthslong recovery effort. His remains were found in June that same year.

Which trails are closed?

The following seven trails are temporarily closed:

Mt. Baldy Trail (Trail No. 7W12)
Mt. Baldy Bowl Trail (Trail No. 7W02)
Devils Backbone Trail (Trail No. 7W05)
Three T’s Trail (Trail No. 7W06)
Icehouse Canyon Trail (Trail No. 7W07)
Chapman Trail (Trail No. 7W07A)
Ontario Peak Trail (Trail No. 7W08)

When will the closures end?

The closures are slated to end on Feb. 23, officials said.

Winter hiking safety tips

If you’re planning a winter hike in California’s mountains, preparation is critical, according to the National Park Service:

Gear up: Wear waterproof boots, layered clothing, and carry traction devices like microspikes or crampons. Bring trekking poles for stability.
Navigation: Do not rely on cell service—carry a map, compass, or GPS and know how to use them.
Check conditions: Weather can change rapidly. Verify avalanche forecasts and trail conditions before heading out.
Emergency essentials: Pack extra food, water, first aid kit, and a whistle or signal mirror. Always let someone know your route and expected return time.
Know when to turn back: High winds, ice, and snow can make trails like Devil’s Backbone extremely dangerous. If conditions worsen, retreat immediately.

California weather radar

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Winter storms shut Mount Baldy trails on California’s deadliest peak

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