Three hikers have died on Mt Baldy in Southern California, including 19-year-old Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, who fell approximately 500 feet near the Devil's Backbone trail. Marcus went hiking on December 29 with a friend. After the fall, the friend called for help by hiking to an area with phone signal and sharing GPS coordinates. The friend was unharmed. Rescue teams found Marcus and two other dead hikers, who were not with Marcus and whose time of death is unknown. On Monday, high winds prevented helicopter recovery, but the bodies were retrieved on Tuesday. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reported rescuing five other hikers in the previous five days. Marcus's family described him as an "avid sailor and outdoorsman" and said, "We are destroyed by the loss of our beloved Marcus." Mount Baldy, officially Mt San Antonio, rises 10,064 feet and is one of the deadliest peaks in the U.S. Since 2020, more than 14 people have died there, including actor Julian Sands in January 2023. Over 100 hikers have been rescued in that time. The mountain attracts climbers of all experience levels due to its proximity to Los Angeles. Authorities warn against hiking the Devil's Backbone trail in dangerous conditions. Jenny Smith from the Sheriff's Department said, "It is one of the most dangerous trails we have here in our area. We don't want novice hikers going up and hurting themselves." Despite sunny weather on December 29, the mountain’s conditions can change quickly with snow and ice, requiring special gear like crampons and ice axes. Trails on Mt Baldy have been temporarily closed until the new year after the recent incidents and rescue efforts.