DATE/TIME: Sunday, March 2, 2025 / 5:01 P.M.
INCIDENT: Search and Rescue
LOCATION: Mt. Baldy
VICTIM: A 22-year-old male resident of Fontana
A 33-year-old male resident of Lytle Creek
SUMMARY: On Sunday, March 2, 2025, at about 5:01 P.M., Fontana Station deputies were notified of stranded hikers, in inclement weather, on Mt. Baldy. A 22-year-old male resident of Fontana and a 33-year-old male resident of Lytle Creek were hiking from the Lytle Creek area towards Cucamonga Peak when one of them fell down the side of the mountain. The second hiker went to rescue the fall victim, was unable to do so, and they were both stranded. They were able to call and message 911 for help.
Overnight, in freezing and dangerous conditions, volunteers from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s West Valley Search and Rescue unit hiked towards the stranded hikers. Throughout the night, despite freezing temperatures and icy conditions, the volunteers made several efforts to reach the hikers. When weather conditions allowed, Search and Rescue personnel coordinated with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s and Los Angeles County Fire Aviation units to coordinate a hoist rescue. Both hikers were located with serious weather and fall related injuries. They were airlifted to a trauma center for evaluation and treatment.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department would like to remind the public to please bring appropriate supplies when hiking, avoid hiking during inclement weather conditions, carry a global positioning satellite (GPS) device, and only hike on open trails. For further safety related information, please visit https://westvalleysar.org/wilderness-safety/.
Refer: Deputy M. Smoot
Station: Fontana
Phone No. (909) 356-6767
Case No. 032500596
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
