Hiker Dies at Bridge to Nowhere
A young mother was swept away and killed by the San Gabriel River while hiking California's Bridge to Nowhere trail. Officials warn of dangerous river conditions due to snowmelt and recent rains during spring hiking season.
The hiker who died was identified as 33-year-old Jaqueline Aguilar De Lao. The incident occurred at approximately 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 2, 2026, when she fell into the East Fork of the San Gabriel River at the second river crossing and was swept away by the powerful current. Ironically, members of the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team were already stationed at the trailhead to warn hikers about the hazardous conditions. A runner alerted the team after witnessing Aguilar De Lao being carried away by the "raging current." A multi-agency response involving the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Sheriff's Department was launched, but the search ended with the recovery of her body. The Bridge to Nowhere is a 120-foot-tall concrete arch bridge originally built in 1936 as part of a road to connect the San Gabriel Valley to Wrightwood. The road was washed out in the great flood of 1938, leaving the bridge isolated in what is now the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Today, it's a popular and strenuous 10-mile round-trip hike that requires multiple river crossings. The trail's primary danger lies in the very river that hikers must repeatedly cross. The water levels of the San Gabriel River can rise dramatically and without warning, particularly in the spring due to a combination of snowmelt from the surrounding mountains and recent rainfall. These conditions create swift and treacherous currents that can overwhelm even experienced hikers. This is not the first fatality of its kind on this trail. In early March 2024, a 59-year-old woman also died after being swept away by the river's current while hiking with friends near the Heaton Flats trailhead. Following the most recent tragedy, officials have strongly urged the public to stay away from the East Fork and the Bridge to Nowhere trail until the water levels significantly decrease. Beyond hiking, the isolated bridge has become a unique destination for thrill-seekers. A private company operates a bungee jumping business from the bridge, accessible only by the five-mile hike. This combination of rugged wilderness and extreme sports draws many visitors to the area, despite the known risks of the river crossings.
