Dominic Belletti Dead: Mt. Baldy Bowl Hiker Apparently Fell To His Death Alone

The body of a 60-year-old Long Beach man was found in the Mt. Baldy Bowl area Sunday after the hiker apparently fell to his death while hiking alone.

Dominic Belletti, an optometrist, had left home early in the morning Sunday, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department. He was found by other hikers at approximately 10:45 a.m., the Los Angeles Times reports.

It is not known what caused the fall or if Belletti was an experienced enough hiker to undertake the snow-covered journey. The Mt. Baldy Bowl route, according to the Long Beach Press Telegram:

climbs 3,900 feet over 4.5 miles to the highest summit in the San Gabriel Mountains. The trails ascends the southwest side of the mountain and is the shortest route to the top that does not involve the use of a ski lift. It is described by experienced hikers as aggressive in good weather, and hiking the peak at this time of year usually requires the use of crampons and other specialty gear.

There is no information about the trail condition Sunday or Balletti's equipment yet because of the holiday Monday, NBC reports.

The coroner division is investigating the death.