Three hikers were found dead Monday night on Mount Baldy off a trail with notoriously steep drop-offs in the San Gabriel Mountains, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Search teams, including helicopter crews, were part of the search in the Devil’s Backbone trail area that began late Monday morning. Search teams responded to a request to find an injured 19-year-old hiker in the area who reportedly fell about 500 feet.
A friend and hiking companion hiked to an area with cellular service to alert rescuers and direct them to the hiker’s location.
During an aerial search, deputies located the injured hiker and two additional people nearby. Strong winds prevented helicopter crews from completing the rescue, the department said.
Wind advisories were in effect Monday for parts of Southern California, including area mountains.
At about 7:30 p.m., high winds still prevented a hoist operation to lift the individuals to safety. A medic was lowered down and confirmed all three people were dead.
Attempts to recover the bodies were underway Tuesday. The ages of the victims found with the injured hiker were not immediately available.
Details about the hikers’ identities were not immediately available.
At more than 10,000 feet, the summit of Mount Baldy — aka Mount San Antonio — is the highest point in the San Gabriel Mountains and Los Angeles County. Already challenging hiking trails in the area, including scenic Devil’s Backbone with its steep drop-offs, can become treacherous with snow and ice in winter