Snow and Avalanche Conditions at Mt. Baldy, California

The winter recreation area of Mt. Baldy presents some unusual snow, weather and avalanche conditions. The snow ranger's task of insuring public safety on this part of the Angeles National Forest is compounded by the proximity of the huge Los Angeles metropolitan center, most of whose residents are totally unfamiliar with mountain snow hazards. The peculiar conditions prevailing at Mt. Baldy are an excellent example of the necessity for modifying avalanche forecasting and control procedures to fit local climate. They also illustrate a severe problem in public relations.