One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Much of Mount Baldy and its surrounding trails will be closed until October following Vista Fire
Hikers looking to hit Mount Baldy and surrounding areas might need to find another trail, as this section of the San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests will be closed until October 31.
(
Courtesy U.S. Forest Service
)
Topline:
Parts of the San Bernardino National Forest and Angeles National Forest near Mount Baldy will be closed temporarily following damage from the Vista Fire. The U.S. Forest Service is projecting the closure to last until October 31.
The closure areas: The closure includes, but is not limited to, roads in the following areas:
- Mt. Baldy Rest Area Parking
- Icehouse Day Parking
- Mt Baldy Station
- Mt Baldy Village
- Manker Flat Campground (campground is closed)
How it will affect hiking: The following trails will be fully or partially closed:
- Mt. Baldy Bowl
- Bear Canyon Trail
- Three T's Trail
- Devils Backbone
- Icehouse Canyon
- Mt Baldy
- Fish Creek
- Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) – The PCT is closed between Interstate-15 (mile 342) to Blue Ridge Campground (mile 367.3).
- Acorn Trailhead
- North Backbone Trail
The backstory: The Vista Fire, which started July 7, has burned through over 2,800 acres and is currently about 43% contained as of Sunday morning. Evacuation orders have already been issued for Mount Baldy Ski Resort and the Pacific Crest Trail from Lytle Creek to Mount Baldy.
What's next: Firefighters will use the closed roads to monitor, patrol, and suppress the fire. In a statement, the U.S. Forest Service said the closure "is necessary to help ensure that no one is injured within the fire perimeter or surrounding area and that firefighting personnel can safely access the fire."
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
