On Dec. 29, 2025, three hikers were found dead at Mount Baldy in Los Angeles along one of its most dangerous trails, the Devil’s Backbone. In response to the incident, local hikers have shared safety tips and guidance for hiking responsibly.
Sophomore Drew Belnap feels that the Mount Baldy situation should serve as a reminder that hiking can be dangerous and requires adequate preparation. From his experience with hiking, Belnap has learned how to navigate safely through unknown terrain.
“I always make sure to bring good hiking shoes, a spacious backpack, a hat and especially snacks,” Belnap said. “I bring an easy carry weapon or an axe to be safe.”
Belnap began hiking early in his life while he lived in Colorado. Before he moved to California in 2015, his favorite trail to hike in Colorado was the Garden of the Gods.
“I’m not able to hike very often, but when I do, I try to go with my family or friends,” Belnap said. “Hiking is always better with friends and family since you get to enjoy the experience with others.”
Sophomore Ari Porter’s interest in hiking began with her dad, who always took her camping and on trails. They often go camping at Carlsbad Beach, which inspired her to join the YMCA hiking organization.
“Hiking alone is better,” Porter said. “I can go at my own pace and do what I want while I explore along the trails.”
Sophomore Sophia Volden always brings a hydration pack and a thermo blanket to keep warm if she’s hiking late. She recommends drinking a lot of water throughout hikes and eating salty snacks to stay awake.
“My mom would force my sister and me to go hiking when we were younger,” Volden said. “At first we didn’t like it, but now it’s stuck with me.”
For people interested in hiking, Belnap recommends finding trails to go on with friends and being especially careful of wildlife. He suggests going to East Canyon State Park because of the slot canyons to explore and fun ladders to climb.
“If I’m hiking on a more dangerous trail, I go with a buddy and have a garment in reach,” Belnap said. “If I’m in the backcountry, I let people know where I’m at in case I get lost.”
Porter tries to go hiking at least three times a month and has faced many challenges during these trips. Last year, while she went backpacking along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), it started pouring midway through the hike. Now, Porter knows what to do in unexpected situations she comes across while in the wild.
“I normally bring pepper spray, a satellite tracker device so my parents can see my location in case I get lost and a knife,” Porter said. “I recommend not wearing headphones in both ears so you can be aware of your surroundings and make sure you tell someone where you’re planning on going and leaving.”
For people interested in hiking, Porter believes the best way to start is to find friends who have hiked before and learn from their experiences. Over time, hiking has become more than a physical activity for her.
“Hiking has improved my mental health by allowing me to look at the bigger picture and the beauty of the world,” Porter said.
