At a Glance
- Three hikers died last month on snow and ice-covered Mt. Baldy trails
- San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department reopened select routes Thursday
- Previous survivors and victims’ parents warn winter conditions turn the peak into mountaineering terrain
- Why it matters: Officials say proper gear and experience are now critical for anyone attempting the mountain
Mt. Baldy trails have reopened only weeks after three hikers fell to their deaths, prompting renewed warnings from rescue teams and families who have faced the mountain’s deadly winter conditions.
Marcus L. Bennett reported that officials from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced the reopening Thursday. They stood beside two hikers rescued last year after becoming stranded on the same mountain.
“Not Your Day Hike After Storms”
“Mt. Baldy is not your day hike after storms,” said Eric Vetere, West Valley search and rescue commander for the sheriff’s department. “It really is a mountaineering-type climb, wearing correct microspikes and having an ice axe.”
The warning follows three fatalities last month on tracks that were snow-packed and glazed with ice. Authorities closed several routes while conducting recovery operations and assessing danger levels.
Survivors Describe Ordeal
Manuel Vasquez, one of the hikers rescued last winter, admitted he underestimated the peak. “Since it was in our backyard, we thought we were going to be OK,” he said.
Vasquez and his cousin, Daniel Ortiz Gutierrez, set out for what they believed would be an easy hike. Conditions changed quickly.
“I fell first. My cousin came in and tried to help me. We both ended up stranded up there,” Vasquez explained.
Gutierrez suffered severe injuries before helicopters reached them.
“I was bleeding within my skull, blunt head trauma. Pretty long recovery, and I was really close to death,” he said. His medical list included:
- Hypothermia
- Collapsed lung
- Multiple bone fractures
Parents Push for Permit System
The parents of Marcus Muench Casanova, the 19-year-old who died on the mountain, joined officials at Thursday’s briefing. They urged hikers to stay away during winter unless highly trained.
“After a certain date, Mt. Baldy stops being a hike. It’s no longer a hike,” said Ken Casanova, Marcus’s father. He called his son’s death “entirely preventable.”
The family supports requiring permits for winter ascents, hoping mandatory registration will force hikers to show proven alpine experience before setting foot on the peak.
What Hikers Now Face
According to News Of Los Angeles, current conditions include:
- Hard-packed snow above 6,000 feet
- Ice layers on north-facing slopes
- Visibility dropping rapidly with incoming clouds
- Temperatures well below freezing after sunset
Rescue crews emphasize that the trek now demands:
- Mountaineering boots and crampons or microspikes
- Ice axe for self-arrest
- Navigation tools for whiteout scenarios
- Emergency shelter and overnight gear
- Avalanche awareness training
Key Takeaways
- The reopened trails still pose serious winter hazards
- Three deaths last month underscore the need for specialized gear and training
- Previous survivors and victims’ relatives advocate stricter entry controls
- Sheriff’s officials recommend turning back at the first sign of ice or fatigue
