Female Hiker Remains Missing On Mt. Baldy, Avalanche Risk Persists

UPDATE: Body Of Missing Woman Found On Mt. Baldy

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — A 22-year-old El Monte woman remains missing on Mt. Baldy after disappearing Sunday just before a strong winter storm began rolling over the region.

Lifei Huang set out on a hike alone at about 2 p.m. that day and was last heard from two hours later, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

At 11:14 p.m. Sunday night, Huang was reported missing.

Around 2:30 a.m. Monday, the sheriff’s West Valley Search and Rescue team started looking for her. The search continued Tuesday, but extremely heavy snowfall and avalanche risks hindered the efforts so crews were pulled off the mountain, according to the sheriff's department.

Crews are searching as weather permits, the department said.

Each winter season, search and rescue teams are called to Mt. Baldy to find missing hikers and others who come to the popular destination to enjoy outdoor recreational activities.

The sheriff's department is strongly urging everyone to stay away from the mountain due to inclement weather and deep snow.

"The weather has effectively buried the mountain in snow and it is highly likely hikers will get into trouble," the sheriff's department reported. "Resources are stretched to their limits and hikers who get lost may have to wait long periods of time before help is available."

Anyone with information regarding the missing woman is asked to contact the Fontana Sheriff’s Station at 909-356-6767. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department initially reported a different spelling on Huang's first name. This story was updated to reflect the corrected spelling.

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