Mother Dies After Being Swept Away in San Gabriel River During Bridge to Nowhere Hike
A 33-year-old woman died Sunday morning after being swept into the San Gabriel River while hiking the Bridge to Nowhere trail in the Angeles National Forest. The incident prompted a swift water rescue operation and a renewed warning about the dangers of crossing the river, particularly after periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt.
Details of the Incident
The San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team was at the East Fork trailhead around 8 a.m. Sunday, speaking with hikers about river crossing safety when a runner alerted them that a young mother had fallen into the river at the second crossing and was being carried away by the current. Emergency crews from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, its air operations unit, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene.
The woman’s body was later recovered during the search. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Jaqueline Aguilar De Lao, 33.
Trail Conditions and Safety Concerns
Following the tragedy, the San Dimas Mountain Rescue Team urged the public to avoid the East Fork and Bridge to Nowhere Trail until water levels subside. “Turn around if the water looks too fast or deep. Your life (and your loved ones’ hearts) are worth more than any hike,” the team stated in a social media post.
The Bridge to Nowhere trail, a popular 10-mile roundtrip hike, requires hikers to cross the East Fork River at least six times. Conditions can change rapidly, especially during and after storms. The trail had recently reopened after a nearly year-long closure due to the Bridge Fire, which burned over 56,000 acres in 2024.
Watershed Concerns and Previous Closures
The reopening of the trail surprised some in the hiking community and forest officials. Justin Seastrand, forest recreation manager at Angeles National Forest, had indicated that the East Fork watershed area would remain closed for an additional year due to the potential for flooding and debris flow caused by the burn scars from the Bridge Fire. Hiking Guy reports that Bungee America leases land around the bridge from the Angeles National Forest and operates bungee jumping activities on weekends.
River Crossing Dangers
Authorities emphasize the dangers of attempting to cross swift-moving water. The AllTrails page for the hike notes that multiple river crossings and shaded glens are part of the trail, but conditions can be treacherous. Hikers are advised to check the weather forecast and river conditions before attempting the hike and to turn back if conditions appear unsafe.