Hikers in California are up in arms following the ‘unfair’ closure of a series of popular trails on Mount Baldy.
The U.S. Forest Service shut the trails in the wake of the Bridge Fire that ravaged the local area, burning 20 homes and more than 50,000 acres of surrounding hillsides.
The closure is expected to last until December 2025 to ensure public safety and promote the natural recovery of fragile plants and soils that have been damaged.
However, local residents and business owners have slammed the move as unnecessary, claiming safety concerns are unfounded.
Cindy Debonis, 63, a longtime Mt. Baldy Village resident, said the stunning summit is walkable and safe.
‘They keep saying it has something to do with the fire, but there’s nothing left to burn,’ she argued. ‘I think it’s not fair, big time, to the businesses and the locals. I want to walk. I’d like to go take a hike. This is where I live.’
Meanwhile, three climbers, who risked a $5,000 fine by defying the closure, told the Los Angeles Times they saw no signs of fire damage on their journey up the Devil’s Backbone trail, known for its dramatic ridges and steep drops.
‘No, nothing at all, the trail was fine,’ said Isaiah Rosas of Moreno Valley. ‘There were a lot of people going up and down with us.’
Hikers and local businesses are up in arms over the closure of Mt. Baldy’s trails, despite the summit area escaping significant damage from a recent wildfire. Pictured: Mount Baldy looming over Downtown Los Angeles
Pictured: The road up to Mount Baldy that was closed due to the Bridge Fire’s destruction
Cindy Debonis, 63, a longtime Mt. Baldy Village resident, criticized the closure’s inflexibility: ‘They keep saying it has something to do with the fire, but there’s nothing left to burn.’
The disconnect between the reportedly visible impact of the fire and sweeping closure has sparked a heated debate.
Social media has become a battleground, with critics labeling defiant hikers as ‘ignorant and selfish,’ while others accuse the Forest Service of overreach.
Adding to the controversy is the Forest Service’s decision to grant exceptions for recreational businesses within the closed area.
Mt. Baldy Resort, a family-run ski area that escaped the fire, continues to operate.
Its restaurant, ‘Top of the Notch,’ remains open, and its ski runs will resume when snow arrives.
The resort’s general manager, Robby Ellingson, lobbied for adjustments to the closure boundaries but was instead granted a variance to keep his business running.
While grateful, Ellingson expressed frustration with the blanket restrictions. He said he is hoping the forest will reopen sooner when the snow melts.
‘We lost our entire fall,’ he said. ‘We’ve kind of kept a tight lip about this, about our displeasure about this.’
The Forest Service defended its decision, citing significant post-fire risks.
Mount Baldy Village was left devastated by the Bridge Fire (pictured)
Pictured: The ruins of a burned structure are seen on the day after the Bridge Fire exploded in size from 2,995 acres to 46,727 acres in single day in September 2024
Mt. Baldy Resort general manager Robby Ellingson expressed frustration with the blanket restrictions
In an email to LA Times, spokeswoman Dana Dierkes acknowledged that popular trails like the Devil’s Backbone and Ski Hut Trail were not directly affected by the fire but explained that they provide access to damaged areas.
The fire left hillsides barren, increasing the likelihood of landslides and debris flows during winter storms, she said.
‘After seasonal weather has passed, we will reassess the status of potential hazards and see if certain areas might be able to reopen,’ Dierkes said.
Residents were preparing for the inevitable winter storms, which bring the threat of landslides to the fire-scarred hillsides.
Crews worked diligently to install concrete barriers in front of homes, while others organized a sandbag distribution site.
Despite these efforts to mitigate the immediate danger, a sense of frustration has lingered among locals regarding the sweeping trail closures.
Even the scenic Glendora Ridge Road, a paved route offering stunning valley views, remains off-limits.
Following a September wildfire that destroyed 20 homes and burned over 50,000 acres near Mt. Baldy Village, the U.S. Forest Service closed all trails to the summit until December 2025 to prioritize public safety and the natural recovery of damaged plants and soil
Hikers make their way to upper hiking trails at the Mount Baldy Ski Resort, despite the closures and risk of a $5,000 fine
Pictured: Hikers make their way up a trail that leads to the Mount Baldy Ski Resort on December 14, 2024
Pictured: Mt. Baldy Lodge, nestled in Mt. Baldy Village
This seemingly arbitrary restriction has left residents feeling unfairly constrained.
On a clear day with no visible signs of imminent danger, a simple morning dog walk could land them a hefty $5,000 fine, a situation many residents deem unreasonable and excessive.
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