California mountain towns erupt in fury as beloved local attraction is closed for ‘no good reason’

Hikers in California are in an uproar after the “unfair” closure of a series of popular hiking trails on Mount Baldy.

The US Forest Service closed the trails in the wake of the bridge fire that devastated the area, burning twenty homes and more than 50,000 acres of surrounding hills.

The closure is expected to last until December 2025 to ensure public safety and promote the natural recovery of vulnerable plants and soils that have been damaged.

However, local residents and business owners have branded the measure as unnecessary, claiming safety concerns are unfounded.

Cindy Debonis, 63, longtime resident of Mt. Baldy Village, said the beautiful summit is walkable and safe.

“They keep saying it’s something to do with the fire, but there’s nothing left to burn,” she argued. ‘I don’t think it’s fair to the companies and the local population. I want to walk. I would like to take a walk. This is where I live.’

Meanwhile, three climbers, who risked a $5,000 fine by defying the closure, told the newspaper Los Angeles Times they saw no signs of fire damage during their journey along the Devil’s Backbone trail, known for its dramatic ridges and steep slopes.

“No, nothing at all, the trail was fine,” said Isaiah Rosas of Moreno Valley. “There were a lot of people going up and down with us.”

The discrepancy between the reportedly visible impact of the fire and the major closure has sparked a heated debate.

Social media has become a battleground, with critics labeling defiant hikers as “ignorant and selfish,” while others accuse the Forest Service of going too far.

Adding to the controversy is the Forest Service’s decision to allow exceptions for recreational businesses within the closed area.

Mt. Baldy Resort, a family-run ski area that escaped the fire, remains active.

The restaurant, ‘Top of the Notch’, will remain open and ski slopes will resume when snow falls.

The resort’s general manager, Robby Ellingson, lobbied for adjustments to the closure boundaries but was instead granted a variance to keep his business afloat.

While Ellingson was grateful, he expressed frustration with the overall restrictions. He said he hopes the forest will reopen sooner as the snow melts.

“We lost our entire fall,” he said. “We’ve been a bit quiet about this, about our dissatisfaction about this.”

The Forest Service defended its decision, citing significant risks following the fire.

In an email to LA Times, spokeswoman Dana Dierkes acknowledged that popular trails such as the Devil’s Backbone and Ski Hut Trail were not directly affected by the fire, but explained that they provide access to damaged areas.

The fire has left the hills parched, increasing the risk of landslides and debris flows during winter storms, she said.

“After the seasonal weather passes, we will reassess the status of potential hazards and see if certain areas may be able to reopen,” Dierkes said.

Residents prepared for the inevitable winter storms, which bring the threat of landslides on the fire-scarred hills.

Crews worked diligently to install concrete barriers in front of the homes, while others organized a sandbag distribution site.

Despite these efforts to limit the immediate danger, there remains a sense of frustration among locals over the drastic trail closures.

Even the scenic Glendora Ridge Road, a paved route with breathtaking valley views, remains off-limits.

This seemingly arbitrary restriction makes residents feel unfairly restricted.

On a clear day with no visible signs of impending danger, a simple morning walk with the dog could land them a $5,000 fine, a situation that many residents consider unreasonable and excessive.