Mt. Baldy Trails Closed Through March 20
Heavy late-winter storms have forced Angeles National Forest to extend the closure of all hiking routes on Mt. Baldy through March 20 due to hazardous snow and ice conditions. The abundance of winter weather has made trails dangerous, with officials urging hikers to respect the closure for safety reasons. The closure impacts both casual hikers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking elevation challenges.
The current closure is an extension of a previous order and impacts several popular routes including the Mt. Baldy Trail, Baldy Bowl Trail, and the notoriously dangerous Devils Backbone Trail. Acting Forest Supervisor Scott Tangenberg stated that in winter, Mt. Baldy is not a typical hike but rather "mountaineering terrain" where conditions can change rapidly and ice can form even after minor storms, creating significant fall hazards. While the hiking trails are closed, the Mt. Baldy Resort and Mt. Baldy Road remain open to the public. This is the second time this winter that trails on Los Angeles County's highest peak have been closed to the public for safety reasons. An earlier closure was implemented after three people died on the mountain in a single day in late December 2025, following a major winter storm. Violators of the current closure could face a fine of up to $5,000 and/or six months in jail. The area has a long and tragic history of accidents. Between 2016 and 2025, there were 23 fatalities on Mount Baldy, with the majority occurring in the Devil's Backbone and Icehouse Canyon areas. In that same period, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department conducted 345 search and rescue operations on the mountain. In 2025 alone, there were 34 search and rescue calls, resulting in 30 air rescues and five ground rescues. The high number of incidents has led to calls for more proactive safety measures. For years, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department has urged the U.S. Forest Service to implement closures during unsafe conditions to reduce fatalities and the strain on rescue resources. Sheriff Shannon Dicus has been vocal about the need for greater involvement from federal agencies in managing visitor safety on the popular peak.
