Mount Baldy Trail Closure Extended to March 20 Amid Ongoing Winter Hazards
The U.S. Forest Service has extended a trail closure affecting several popular routes in the Mount Baldy area of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, pushing the reopening date back to March 20, 2026.
The closure, which originally took effect February 10 and was set to lift February 23, has now been extended a second time as persistent winter storms continue to deposit snow and ice at higher elevations.
“Mount Baldy in winter is often not a hike — it’s mountaineering terrain,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Scott Tangenberg. “Conditions can change quickly, ice can form even after small storms, and that creates real fall hazards.”
Seven trails remain closed: the Mt. Baldy Trail, Mt. Baldy Bowl Trail, Devils Backbone Trail, Three T’s Trail, Icehouse Canyon Trail, Chapman Trail, and Ontario Peak Trail.
Mt. Baldy Road and Mt. Baldy Resort will remain open, and skiing and other resort activities can continue during the closure period.
Forest officials are encouraging hikers to explore other parts of the Angeles National Forest in the meantime, and to check current conditions before any visit. Those planning to hike at high elevations should carry proper mountaineering equipment and be prepared for rapidly changing weather.
For updates, contact the Angeles National Forest Supervisor’s Office at (626) 574-1613.
