Icehouse Saddle

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/7/3/e/event_252494142.jpeg

Ladybug, ladybug fly away home,Your house is on fire . . .

We’ll skip the rest of this gruesome rhyme, but it does tie into this week’s hike, as a somewhat freakish feature of it is that you may see more ladybugs in one place – on some logs near the end of the hike -- than you ever have in your life. How’s that for an incentive to join us?

Another reason is that, while the weather may seem on fire down below, we’ll enjoy the cooler climes during this higher-elevation climb up one of the classic, historic and most scenic trails in Southern California.

It may not boast the elevation bragging rights of nearby Baldy, but it makes up for that in spades with its beauty and varied terrain. A challenging destination on its own, Icehouse Saddle is also the junction to other significant peaks including Cucamonga, Ontario and the “Three T’s” (Timber, Telegraph, Thunder).

Supposedly named after an ice plant that operated in the lower canyon in the 1860s, more than 100 private cabins once lined Icehouse Canyon. All but 35 were destroyed during a devastating flood in 1938 that also deposited the enormous boulders we’ll see with the cabin ruins along the route.

The trail starts at about 5,000 ft. and has a number of steep sections with uneven footing and loose rocks. We’ll stop at the Saddle, but may take a slight detour on the way down via Chapman Trail to our return, which will add 1.7 miles to the length. A topo map (http://files.meetup.com/1578994/OntarioTopo.jpg) is posted in the Files folder, under the More tab above.

Fair warning: this trail is massively popular and will be crowded, but the numbers should thin out a bit the higher we go. Since it’s mostly single track, we’ll need to be patient at points. But there’ll be plenty of sweet sights to enjoy during any downtime.

We need to register our numbers on our Wilderness Permit for this hike (the trail passes through part of the Cucamonga Wilderness), so it’s important we’re accurate. If you RSVP and your plans change, notify Shawn by Friday 6/28 at noon. Note we’re shifting to our earlier summer start time of 7:30 am, which may help us snag a parking space this week. For those of you who haven’t hiked at elevation recently, you may want to plan to arrive a little early to acclimate a bit. But out of consideration for your fellow hikers, please be on time.

STATS
Level: Moderate-Advanced (for elevation at trailhead, gain and trail conditions)
Gain: 2,600 ft.
Distance: 7.2 miles
Time: ~ 5-6 hours
Type: Single track, loop, shaded in the lower canyon and exposed near the top
Dogs: Permitted on leash, but not recommended
Water: Available at the trailhead
Restrooms: Available at the trailhead
Parking: The trailhead lot gets full quickly on weekends, so carpool if possible. A National Forest Adventure Pass ($5/day; $30/annual) is required, which are available at REI, Sports Chalet, Big 5 and other locations. (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/r5/passes-permits/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5181410&width=full)
I have one extra, so email me if you need one. Also email me if you’re interested in carpooling from Glendale’s Wilson Ave. Park and Drive at 1553 E. Wilson (http://goo.gl/maps/5wVk9) (as a driver or rider). We’ll depart at 6:15 am.
Bring: At least three liters of water, layered clothing and a waterproof jacket (weather can be unpredictable and it may be cool and windy at the saddle), a hat and sunscreen, lugsole boots, lunch and snacks to share. Poles recommended as the trail is narrow with loose rocks in spots.

DIRECTIONS
An approximate address for GPS purposes is: 7648 Ice House Canyon Road, Angeles National Forest, Mount Baldy, CA 91759 (trailhead coordinates: 34.25018, -117.635997). Suggested directions are below, but double check the map in advance and call Shawn with any questions as there is no mobile reception at the trailhead.

From the 210 East, take exit 52, Baseline Road in Claremont. Turn left at the light at the end of the ramp on to Baseline Road. Make the next right on to Padua Ave. and drive 1.7 miles. Turn right at the stop sign onto Mount Baldy Road. Pass through Mount Baldy Village and continue 1.5 miles, turning right on Icehouse Canyon Road (Mt. Baldy Road continues to the left). The trailhead parking lot will be to the left.

From the 210 West: In Upland, exit on N. Mountain Ave./Mt. Baldy Exit, Exit 54. At the end of the ramp, turn right and drive north on Mountain, veering to the left as Mountain Lane continues straight ahead. North Mountain curves to a junction with Euclid. Turn left, continuing on N. Mountain as it becomes Shinn Road. At the junction with Mt. Baldy Road, turn right (north). Continue past Mount Baldy Village and follow the directions above to the parking lot at the trailhead.

Here’s a map. (http://goo.gl/maps/OEGDz)

Shawn’s mobile: 213/308-7372
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NOTES:
Those of you who hiked Fern Dell last week (or at any time), may be interested in learning more about the Friends of Griffith Park’s efforts (http://www.friendsofgriffithpark.org/article-fernDell2.php) to preserve and rehabilitate this 60+ year-old oasis within Griffith Park via volunteering and/or contributions.

We will not be posting a hike for next Sat., July 6, so our next hike will be Sat. July 13. Check out Meetup leader Rex Frankel’s excellent weekly summary of area Meetup hikes (http://lameetuphikes.blogspot.com/) and the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter’s Schedule of Activities (http://angeles2.sierraclub.org/activities) for great options for those Saturdays. Or, if you are out and about exploring new hikes, bring it to our attention and we'll share it with the group down the line! Thanks.
******************************************************************************************The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip. Each person who signs up for a trip/meetup/ or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts of this Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guest's participation in the group activities.