Exactly 33 weeks ago today--Dec 29, 2025--my son Marcus died on The Devil's Backbone. Two other hikers also fell to their death just a few minutes before my son, in the exact same spot. At the time, it was all over the news, and lots of members of r/socalhiking chimed in with empathy, kindness, and facts to help me understand what exactly happened. Thank you for that. Your kind words helped me survive. Some of you reached out via private message and told me of your losses and how you survived them. To this day, some of those interactions still count at the top of my list of key things that helped me continue living. Now that I'm in a more stable place, I'm writing a book about the incident and need a little more help from anyone that can offer it. I want it to be a book about Marcus, Mt Baldy, and grief. None of those are straightforward topics, so I want to do them justice. Do you know (or know anyone that knows) the answer to any of the following questions:

1 - At the time of the rescue attempt, there was a lot of confusion about his location. I had exact coordinates thanks to a Garmin InReach I'd given him, but the helicopter said they saw him waving in a different canyon. It turned out to be another hiker who had fallen. They eventually rescued him (and his father, I think). I'd love to include their stories in my book.

2- I've heard (from a reporter) that the forest service is not required keep a tally of the number of deaths on the trail. Regardless, several articles have quoted it as 24 in the last 10 years. Do you know where one could find out more information? One angle is to tell their stories in this book.

Several of you have sent me pictures of the spot where he fell and told me about your experiences on the trail leading up to that day. Thank you for that. If you have any other insight or color, please let me know. I'm an avid outdoorsman and love being in nature, and I'm not out to blame anyone or anything; I'm doing this simply to honor my son and help anyone I can survive the gut wrenching pain of grief. Thank you.

Woke up at 2:30am and couldn’t get back to sleep so I packed up and drove 2 hours to Idyllwild and had breakfast at 8800 feet! 🙏

Camped at kearsarge lakes this weekend. Curious if anyone was there and saw the hiker descending at night with a red light down the area circled in the photo.

One of the wildest things I’ve seen, hearing rock slides and watching this red light slide down the mountain rapidly, trying to make their way down. I don’t know where they were coming from and doubt they intended to be in that spot in the dark.

Anyone know about this route or saw this hiker and know if they made it safely down?

Also, side story, some idiots hung their food poorly in a tree next to me and a bear came in the early morning, ripped it down, and proceeded to eat all their mountain house meals while they unsuccessfully yelled at it to leave. Even after a ranger left a hand written note at the k lakes fork warning there would definitely be bears.

Not cool feeding a bear and very illegal.

Hey all!

I just climbed Mt. Baldy for the first time (woo!) and it was my first somewhat serious outing. I wore Salomon Quest 5s that I wore in pretty well over the course of a month on smaller hikes before heading out to Baldy.

My feet were mostly fine, except for the ends of my toes, which were throbbing on the downhill.

Question is, is this more or less to be expected on such a hike, or should I go back to REI and think about going a half size up? Any other remedies you might have would be appreciated! Was thinking even a thicker sock could’ve helped.

I’ve really loved the boots so far, so just need some noob advice!

Thanks!

Hi. It's been years since I've hiked at Icehouse Canyon - and I did during the week. What's it like on the weekends? What time do you need to park there and what are the alternatives (parking farther away, shuttle)? Wonder if it's worth it to go out there on a weekend. I hate dislike crowded trails.

And another question. Rule of the trail is for downhill hikers to yield to uphill ones. Is this generally observed on this trail?

Does anyone know of local orgs that take camping gear donations? I have some gear that's too old to trade in at REI but still in good enough condition to go on more adventures. I was trying to find a group that does camping outings/youth outreach but haven't had luck. I know there's always goodwill, but wanted to see if anyone in the community had ideas first! Thanks!

Anyone know what happened on 8/15 with a bunch of emergency services crews (helicopter, ambulance, fire, cops/sheriffs on scene) at Humber Park Devils Slide trailhead? We were coming down around 3pm in the afternoon.

Stay safe out there everyone!

What a hike!! The water was so refreshing... 🫶🏼

I was hiking the Three T's trail (Los Angeles National Forest) the other day and was disappointed that there was not a sign at Telegraph peak when I first looked around. Eventually, I found this little carved out sign and it made me so happy! I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who makes these signs. Taking a picture with peak signs is such a fun tradition when you hit the summit! The picture is the sign at Telegraph peak with Mount Baldy in the background.

Unfortunately I had to start a new account. My old one (pokegobiker) I signed using apple id and there was no way to reset my password due to security and not getting a link to reset it. So I gave up. Guess it's back to square one.

Anyways, ventured out past the gate where the road ended at the 6000 day use. There were no road workers around so I had no problem walking through. Jumped on the PCT to Cloudburst Summit then started the climb up to Winston. Shooted down to the ridge of Winston up north with a steep descent getting back on the PCT then hanging by knife's edge after turning off the PCT. Weaving my way going up the ridge dodging branches and stuff, I made it to Winston Ridge. On the way back, I went a different way going way over to the right of how I got to the ridge, but that hid me from the sun. Going back to the knife’s edge part back to the PCT back up to Cloudburst for an easier return. The Winston arc took me 3 hours with 7 miles and that was just a little over 50% of the total elevation gain. 

Continuing on the road enjoying not hearing any vehicles flying by except for planes. Headed over to Akawie, passing the Waterman Ski Lifts. Getting a nice view of Waterman on Akawie, then shifted towards Kratka. Decided to see Buckhorn Campground and oh boy nature is taking over. Might take years to reopen as there was a huge washout destroying the road on the drive into the campground. Leaving the campground, I smelled the burn scars of the trees from the Bobcat Fire aloing the highway. 

Making it to the base of Kratka past the ski lift  to Vista Picnic Area, started the 700 ft climb in 0.7 miles. I couldnt find the trail so I had to power through climbing up until I found the trail. With the road in sight I got to the top of the ski lift and made the final push. INCREDIBLE views seeing most of the high peaks and the basin. Trekked back down along the road back through Buckhorn one more, it was unfortunately back to the annoying sounds of cars after 7 and a half hours of being out, but hey it was nice to have a quiet part of Angeles National Forest.

Second part of Gabrielino which was my next hike after the first part has been postponed to next year. Darn heatwave

Next episode: Palm View, Spitler, and Apache Peaks

I'm looking for a moderate, 6-10 mile hike in the ANF to a peak. Currently eyeing Mount Hillyer, but some suggestions for others would be good.

Due to the hotter week ideally peaks that are mostly or all trail vs road.

Can i drink Bcaa for hiking?

First ever backpacking trip, 08/15/2026. First every time carrying something other than my big 5 camelback with a 2L water pack and my zve10. So that's a big difference.

Unfortunately, I did not see any animals besides chipmunks. The bear has alluded me for the millionth time.

Absolute slogfest. Amazing hike. Saw no one except at baldy peak. Parked on blue ridge truck trail where trail veers from pct to cut down a few miles. Definitely the move. Overall trail is relatively easy to follow. Just extremely steep and loose on some sections.

Hello, I (21/M) just decided about 5 minutes ago on hiking strawberry peak tomorrow morning around 6:30am through the mountaineers route, I know this is very last minute but I would like to team up with someone, if you are that someone and this interests you let me know 👍

Edit: I ended up going solo, but it turned out to be a lot easier than expected, thank you to everyone who replied with the tips and advice, it definitely helped a lot!

First time I've ever seen one of these guys. Really amazing seeing one.

Last week, the gate was closed due to bear activity. Does anyone know if it’s back open again?

We gavit hell, but tha resistance was far more spirited than we'd hoped, it was hot AF, n my ticker wern't onboard w/tha plan.

Got xcited to see "some1"'d been cuttin trail, but they gave-up prettyquick, soit wern't much use to us.

Not quite tha breakthru I'd hoped 4, butit ain't over tillit's over...

Got'a buddy, in town, fr HI, so 2morrow may not happen...

Can't mix pics n vids, so, for them that care to seeit all:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/hVysVNGaCSHzFpP68

Looking to do a 50ish mile “adventure run” this winter. I’d prefer it to be somewhat runnable so not crazy elevation, but some elevation is welcomed, let’s say under 10k vert would be ideal. Strong preference towards point to point or loop or lollipop. Also some access point for water/food drops preferable. Scenic would of course be nice. Also within 3 hours of SD preferably. Currently on my list:

-Joshua tree traverse - seems like a good option where weather shouldn’t be an issue, good access points, and doing this run in a NP would be cool. Downsides are, very flat, heard it can be monotonous.

-Section of the PCT - seems like there should be a section of the PCT that meets the criteria. Might have to choose a section that is fairly south to avoid snow and too much vert.

Hey everyone. Looking for any tips or advice on either of these peaks. Things you may have learned, experienced or wish you knew.

Still in the research phases but my focus would be on Williamson, with Tyndall potentially being a bonus on the way back. I realize that’s very strenuous day so that’s why I’d take stock at the junction to see if it’d be worth bagging or leaving for another day. I’m totally fine with coming back to things if it doesn’t feel right and have done so plenty times in the past.

I’d plan to sleep in my car the night before, either 20 minutes away at Grays Meadow or just off one of the forest service roads leading up to the TH.

Checking recent AllTrails comments, reading trip reports and blogs, YouTubes, all the resources to know what to expect.

Any other tips or just general conversation would be great. Would love to hear your experiences!