Skip to main content
New Year’s Sale — Build a balanced news diet with 40% off Vantage
Published loading...Updated

Rescue crew finds 3 hikers dead in Southern California mountains during strong winds

Strong Santa Ana winds delayed recovery efforts after three hikers fell to their deaths on Mount Baldy, which has seen 14 deaths since 2020, officials said.

  • On December 29, San Bernardino County Search and Rescue and Fontana Sheriff’s Station responded to an injured hiker near Devil's Backbone on Mt. Baldy, where three people died and Santa Ana winds delayed recovery, authorities said.
  • After a reported 500-foot fall near Devil's Backbone, search teams including helicopter crews and ground search and rescue crews responded late Monday morning.
  • A hiking companion provided GPS coordinates to rescuers, guiding deputies in the Sheriff's Air Rescue Division to spot the injured hiker and two additional unidentified individuals during an aerial sweep.
  • The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday the recovery operation is ongoing but provided no timeline for removing the victims, whose identities have not been released, and urged anyone with information to contact the Fontana Sheriff's Station or Sheriff’s Dispatch.
  • Historically, Mount Baldy has produced over 100 rescues since 2020 and at least 14 fatalities, including actor Julian Sands, with recent winter storms and treacherous trail conditions increasing risks.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions

130 Articles

PHL17PHL17
+5 Reposted by 5 other sources
Center

3 hikers die on California mountain after 1 falls 500 feet

Three hikers were found dead by rescue crews in the Devil’s Backbone area of Mt. Baldy after one of them, a 19-year-old man, fell about 500 feet, officials said Tuesday.

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 67% of the sources are Center
67% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Fox 11 LA broke the news in on Tuesday, December 30, 2025.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal