Conditions remained soaked Monday morning, January 5, but the rain finally ended in the early hours after a week of near-record storms across the region. More than six inches of rain fell in the Claremont area, with even higher totals reported in the mountains. The combination of heavy rain, strong winds, melting snow and icy conditions led to localized flooding and dangerous hiking conditions from Mt. Baldy Village, to the Baldy summit.

As a result, the Mt. Baldy trail system has been placed under a temporary closure by the U.S. Forest Service from January 1 through January 7. Affected areas include Devil’s Backbone, Baldy Bowl, Icehouse Canyon, Ontario Peak Trail and more, all within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Officials said the closure is a public safety measure prompted by winter weather and recent hiker fatalities. Authorities advised to check road and trail conditions before headed to the Mt. Baldy area. Courier video and photos/Peter Weinberger

Just south of the ski lifts at 6,200 feet elevation, earth movers pushed tons of rock and debris along Baldy Road creating levees to control the huge flow of water headed to lower elevations.

An increase of curious crowds braved the elements to see the rush of water from heavy rains and melting snow.