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

December, 31, 2024-03:00

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

Hikers in California are up in arms following the 'unfair' closure of a series of popular trails on Mount Baldy.
The U.S. Forest Service shut the trails in the wake of the Bridge Fire that ravaged the local area, burning 20 homes and more than 50,000 acres of surrounding hillsides. The closure is expected to last until December 2025 to ensure public safety and promote the natural recovery of fragile plants and soils that have been damaged.

However, local residents and business owners have slammed the move as unnecessary, claiming safety concerns are unfounded. Cindy Debonis, 63, a longtime Mt. Baldy Village resident, said the stunning summit is walkable and safe. 'They keep saying it has something to do with the fire, but there's nothing left to burn,' she argued. 'I think it's not fair, big time, to the businesses and the locals. I want to walk. I'd like to go take a hike. This is where I live.'

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

Social media has become a battleground, with critics labeling defiant hikers as 'ignorant and selfish,' while others accuse the Forest Service of overreach. Adding to the controversy is the Forest Service's decision to grant exceptions for recreational businesses within the closed area. Mt. Baldy Resort, a family-run ski area that escaped the fire, continues to operate.

Its restaurant, 'Top of the Notch,' remains open, and its ski runs will resume when snow arrives. The resort's general manager, Robby Ellingson, lobbied for adjustments to the closure boundaries but was instead granted a variance to keep his business running. While grateful, Ellingson expressed frustration with the blanket restrictions. He said he is hoping the forest will reopen sooner when the snow melts. 'We lost our entire fall,' he said. 'We've kind of kept a tight lip about this, about our displeasure about this.' The Forest Service defended its decision, citing significant post-fire risks.