An 18-year-old hiker and his two teenage companions were plucked from Mount Baldy after a leg injury and a desperate search for cell service triggered a multi-day rescue operation.
At A Glance
- An 18-year-old hiker fell 20 feet and injured his leg on Cucamonga Peak Trail
- Two 17-year-old friends got lost while hunting for cell reception to call 911
- A sheriff’s helicopter completed a hoist rescue after ground crews reached the group
- One search-and-rescue member sustained minor injuries during the operation
Why it matters: The incident highlights the dangers of winter hiking on steep, ice-prone trails that have already claimed three lives this season.
The Rescue Operation
The trio set out on the Cucamonga Peak Trail, which climbs from Icehouse Canyon Trailhead toward the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Baldy, the highest point in both the San Gabriel Mountains and Los Angeles County.
After the Moreno Valley teen slipped and tumbled roughly 20 feet, his companions scrambled to find a phone signal. That detour left the pair disoriented and separated from their injured friend.
Timeline of Events
| Day | Event |
|---|---|
| Monday | Ground team deployed when helicopter grounded by weather |
| Monday | Weather cleared; helicopter performed hoist rescue |
| Tuesday | Two teens found on Lytle Creek side, reunited with family |
The injured hiker was treated at a hospital and released, while the two 17-year-olds spent the night on the mountain before rescuers located them Tuesday morning.
Mount Baldy’s Winter Risks
Mount Baldy-officially Mount San Antonio-features already-tough trails such as Devil’s Backbone, famous for its sheer drop-offs. Snow and ice can turn those scenic routes deadly; three hikers were found dead off a nearby trail in late December, and in early December a helicopter crew rescued two men stranded on Ontario Peak Trail after one fell roughly 100 feet.
Key Takeaways
- Always carry emergency communication devices beyond cell phones
- Winter conditions amplify the danger on steep, exposed trails
- Ground crews and helicopters coordinate when weather interferes
- One rescuer was injured during the multi-day effort
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Division and ground search-and-rescue teams combined forces to bring all three hikers home safely.
