Mount Baldy: Winter storm leaves at least 100 drivers stranded on snow-covered roads

MOUNT BALDY, Calif. (KABC) -- Dozens of vehicles on Tuesday morning remained stuck on snow-covered roads on Mount Baldy after the first storm of the winter season rolled across the region the previous evening.

The California Highway Patrol estimated at least 100 drivers or more were stranded Monday on Mount Baldy Road behind multiple vehicles that were stuck near Shinn Road.

Snow plows and tow trucks were called in to assist as officers worked to put up barricades to prevent more drivers from entering the area.

The CHP initially expected the road to remain closed for at least two hours as crews worked to clear the jam. However, the Angeles National Forest said the road was still shut down amid icy conditions Tuesday morning, and Chief Graham Hendrickson of the Mount Baldy Fire Department said as many as 50 abandoned cars had yet to be moved.


"We strongly suggest you stay off the mountain until conditions improve, probably by this afternoon," the agency said in a statement.

The situation in Mount Baldy mirrored other chaotic scenes around the Southland.

The first winter storm of the year for Southern California caused traffic jams, such as in the Cajon Pass.

In the lower elevations, rain caused major emergencies. Two people were pulled from the water in Santa Ana.

Forecasts call for the storm to clear out by late Monday. Mountain areas should see some clouds in the morning and wind gusts, with temperatures near freezing but no additional snow is expected.