EISPIRATEN

Details thin
https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news ... son-trail/

According to the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the incident was reported around 1:52 p.m. after a male hiker fell into a ravine. The LA County Sheriff's Department later confirmed that the hiker had died.

What I've heard (100% unconfirmed)...

Heart attack and subsequent fall. SAR is guarding the person until coroner can get there or until he says bring the body down to him at/near the trailhead. Location is above First Water where there are fixed ropes to help navigate the trail through a narrow rocky/ledgy portion.

100% unconfirmed.

SMSR Facebook post.

I was up the trail this morning with the trail crew...no additional info available.

I don't remember seeing ropes on this trail

Anthony wrote: Sun May 03, 2026 5:37 pm I don't remember seeing ropes on this trail

0.4 miles past First Water, there is a sharp right hand turn at a ravine. The ropes are anchored to the rocks on the uphill side of the trail. The trail is a bit narrow and ledgy (slippery when wet).

Rope on center-left side of this picture. I think the hiker is holding the rope in his right hand, or it's right next to it.

Location...

Third hand from SAR...gentleman was on outside edge of trail and stepped back to let someone pass, and stepped off the edge, hit his head on a rock which was fatal. He was just below the ropes, so they are irrelevent. He fell no more than 10' to the rock he hit his head on.

Freak accident. 66 y.o. RIP.

This is where he fell...

Sad. RIP. Do I remember another rock-head fatality on the Echo Mtn trail not too many years ago? Be careful out there.

The medical examiner and KTLA have identified the deceased as John McIntyre.

On Monday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office reported the victim was John McIntyre, who died from blunt force injuries.

I went up there today, they are working this section of trail. There were also some people further up the trail doing weed and vegetation removal in advance of the run near the connector trail. The Montrose SAR was also going up for what looked like a training exercise, busy day up Little Santa Anita today.

David R wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 12:56 pm I went up there today, they are working this section of trail. There were also some people further up the trail doing weed and vegetation removal in advance of the run near the connector trail.

Tuesday we drilled and installed additional eyebolts. Today they should be adding additional ropes through those eyebolts. Vegetation control will continue on up to Orchard in prep for the race on May 23, 2026.

Slowest_Hiker wrote: Tue May 05, 2026 10:34 pm Sad. RIP. Do I remember another rock-head fatality on the Echo Mtn trail not too many years ago? Be careful out there.

Yes, similar situation