Ice House Canyon Cucamonga Peak

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Ice House Canyon Cucamonga Peak

Ice House Canyon trail is a 8 mile out and back hike with 2600' elevation gain. Trail is marked with obvious routes and dogs are allowed. From the trailhead the path follows the alder-shaded stream. Huge big cone Douglas-fir, incense cedar, and live oak trees cluster on the banks of the stream. After Columbine Spring the trail switch backs up through tall pines and firs to Ice House Saddle. In my humble opinion this trail is one of the finest hikes in the area.

Cucamonga Peak (8859') trail is a 7 1/2 hour, 12 mile in and out hike with 4300' elevation gain. It follows the same path as the Ice House Canyon trail until you reach the saddle. The trail to Cucamonga's summit contours southeast, descends moderately, and climbs to a saddle between Bighorn and Cucamonga peaks. Thereafter, it switches back up a steep slope dotted with lodgepole pines and white firs. At 5.8 miles the trail crosses a shady draw 200' below the summit. A signed but indistinct side path goes straight up to the summit, 6 miles from the starting point. At the summit you will have great views, but don't be too disappointed in case there's haze and smog below. So much beautiful high country can be seen along the way that reaching the top is just icing on the cake. Remember it can be cold and windy at the summit.

Directions to trailhead: Take the 210 freeway East and Exit at #52 Baseline Road. Turn left on Base Line Rd for 0.2 miles. Turn right onto Padua Ave. for 1.8 miles. Turn right onto Mt. Baldy Rd. for 7.2 miles. Icehouse Canyon trailhead on the right. Adventure Pass required.

Carpool at Towsley Canyon between 06:30-06:45. It should take 1 1/2 hours to drive to the trailhead. Because of the long drive please help with the cost of gas. I hope to be at the trailhead between 8:15-8:30 AM but don't expect to be back at Towsley until 5:00-6:00 PM.

Leader: Dave

Rated: Strenuous