A tragic hiking incident on Mount Baldy in Southern California has claimed the lives of three men, authorities confirmed this week. The deaths have sent shockwaves through local communities and serve as a painful reminder of the dangers posed by extreme terrain and winter weather on one of the region’s most challenging peaks.
The victims were identified as Juan Sarat Lopez, 37, Bayron Pedro Ramos Garcia, 36, both Los Angeles residents originally from Guatemala, and Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, 19. Authorities said all three men died in separate incidents on the mountain, though their deaths occurred within the same general time frame.
Search teams located the bodies on Monday, but high winds, icy terrain, and dangerous conditions forced crews to delay recovery efforts until Tuesday. Officials said safety concerns made it impossible to safely remove the victims earlier. Mount Baldy, the tallest peak in the San Gabriel Mountains, is known for rapidly changing weather and narrow trails that can become deadly, especially during winter.
Friends of Casanova told authorities that the 19-year-old fell approximately 500 feet near Devil’s Backbone, one of Mount Baldy’s most notorious and steep trails. Devil’s Backbone is a narrow ridge with sheer drop-offs on both sides and is considered extremely dangerous during icy or windy conditions. Casanova was reportedly hiking alone when he fell.
While search crews were focused on locating Casanova, they made a grim discovery elsewhere on the mountain. Authorities found the bodies of Lopez and Garcia at a separate location. Officials confirmed that the two men were not hiking with Casanova at the time of the fatal incidents, and their deaths are believed to be unrelated to his fall, though all occurred on the same mountain.
Investigators are now reviewing the circumstances surrounding all three deaths. Authorities continue to urge hikers to use extreme caution when visiting Mount Baldy, especially during winter months when snow, ice, and strong winds can quickly turn a hike into a life-threatening situation. As families and friends mourn the sudden loss of three lives, officials hope the tragedy will raise awareness about the risks of high-altitude hiking and the importance of preparation and safety.
