AZUSA, California — A young mother died Sunday after being swept away by the swift current of the San Gabriel River while hiking the Bridge to Nowhere trail in the Angeles National Forest.

The incident: Members of the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team were conducting safety outreach at the trailhead around 8:03 a.m. when a runner approached them requesting assistance. According to a post on Facebook from the rescue team, “A frantic runner came charging up the trail yelling for help. A young mother had fallen in at the second river crossing and was swept away by the raging current. Our worst fears became reality.”

• Rescue efforts: The Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the San Dimas Sheriff’s Station responded to the emergency.
• Body recovery: Following a search, rescuers located the woman and confirmed she was deceased, transitioning the operation from rescue to recovery.

The hazards: The Bridge to Nowhere trail requires multiple crossings of the East Fork of the San Gabriel River, which can become treacherous during and after rainstorms. Rescue officials emphasized that high water levels and swift currents pose a significant risk to hikers.

• Safety warning: “This is a devastating reminder of how dangerous the East Fork and Bridge to Nowhere Trail can be right now,” the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team stated, adding that “even experienced hikers can be caught off guard.”
• Urgent guidance: Officials advise the public to stay off the trail until water levels drop significantly and to turn around if the water appears too fast or deep.

What’s next: Hikers are encouraged to check mountain conditions before visiting and to avoid all contact with swift-moving water in creeks and rivers.