Winter Hazards on Mt. Baldy: Three Hikers Confirmed Dead
Winter Hazards on Mt. Baldy: Three Hikers Confirmed Dead
US · Published Jan 4, 2026
Hikers die on Mt. Baldy after snowstorm
Authorities identified three hikers who died on Mt. Baldy after a winter snowstorm. The San Gabriel Mountains' snow created hazardous conditions, leading to the deaths of Juan Sarat Lopez, Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, and Marcus Muench Casanova. Lopez and Garcia were Guatemalan nationals residing in Los Angeles, while Casanova was a 19-year-old from Seal Beach. Casanova fell about 500 feet while hiking the Devil’s Backbone. High winds hampered rescue operations, but a medic confirmed the deaths after being lowered by helicopter. The bodies were recovered the next day. This incident highlights the dangers of winter hiking on Mt. Baldy, leading to calls for trail closures during hazardous conditions.
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