Article: Why Is Mount Baldy, CA So Deadly For Hikers?

I've hiked Devil's Backbone 3x in summer. It's the easiest way to the the top: ride chair 1 to the Notch, then 2,200 vertical in 3.3 miles, first part of the hike is under chair 4. The trail is well traveled, not very rocky. Yes there are dropoffs on each side but it's not that narrow for a typical summer hike. Going up there with snow and ice on the trail is a different story.
 
In Just One Week, Three Young People Died on Mount Baldy. Why Is the Peak So Deadly?

Interesting.

www.outsideonline.com

Why Are So Many People Dying on Mount Baldy?

Despite its deathly reputation, Mount Baldy is oftentimes neither a particularly precarious mountain nor an especially treacherous trail. Why, then, do so many people perish on the 10,000-foot peak?
www.outsideonline.com www.outsideonline.com

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Like TonyC said, It's narrow in spots with steep drop offs. It's usually pretty windy up there too, not to mention very exposed. It's the highest peak in the San Gabriel's at over 10,000 ft. Many that hike it are coming from close to sea level.

As mentioned, winter is a different game altogether.

However, If this trail were in Montana, you'd never hear about it. The fact that it's the most prominent peak visible from most of LA is the biggest problem.
 
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