2025-Aug: Middle Fork Trail/Icehouse Saddle/3Ts/3rd Stream Crossing/Levels 2+ up

The hike is one of challenging hikes up progressively higher mountains in Southern California training for 2025 mountains hikes! Summer Mountains Series: 3Ts: Timber, Thunder and Telegraph. Instead of hiking crowded trail Icehouse Canyon, we are changing the route to Icehouse Saddle/3Ts via Middle Fork Trail or a shorter hike to Third Stream Crossing

THIS IS NOT INTRODUCTION TO HIKING (not for Beginners or Occasional Hikers)
This is in the series of Summer mountain hikes. Know your limits! Middle Fork is a nice trail less travel for Intermediate Hikers those like to try mountain trails for a change.

DEPARTURE TIME
•7 AM meet at trailhead
•7:05 AM start hiking

General Rating/Difficulty: **Levels 2+ to 3+ moderate or fast pace, STRENUOUS hike for distance, elevation and speed; Link to Hike RATING TABLE to read more about difficulty levels https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating**

ABOUT THE HIKE:
Highlights: Splendid high country, wilderness, natural springs along the trail, waterfalls and breathtaking peak with a 360-degree view
Near: Lytle Creek/Mt Baldy, CA
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Distance: 5 to 10+ or 18 miles
Duration: at least 4 to 8+ hours hiking time
Elevation Gain: 1400 to 5500+ft
Adventure Pass: Required!

GOOD TO KNOW & Essentials: 10 hiking Essentials (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234), wear hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bring water, snacks and a light lunch. There is warning about poison oak on the trails

DISTANCE
Hike 1: Out and back 4.7 miles RT with 1387ft of vertical gain for intermediate hikers who plan to hike to Third Stream Crossing. You'll return back with or without anyone taking that route

Hike 2: 10+ miles RT, 3687ft elevation gain. Continue to Icehouse Saddle after Third Stream Crossing (out and back.)

Hike 3: 18+ miles RT, 5500+ ft gain. From the saddle continue to 3Ts: Timber, Thunder and Telegraph Peaks (out and back)

The 3Ts Trail Map: LINK (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/three-ts-trail-via-icehouse-canyon)

Middle Fork Trail to Icehouse Saddle
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/middle-fork-trail-to-icehouse-saddle?sh=dkqf3s&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Third Stream Crossing:
via Middle Fork Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/middle-fork-to-waterfall?sh=dkqf3s&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Cucamonga Peak Trail Weather: LINK (http://www.weatherforyou.com/reports/index.php?pands=cucamonga+peak+trail%2Ccalifornia)

Click to view May 2018 photos and previous years: https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/28873709/471078926/

Historic Icehouse Canyon is one of favorite places to hike. The scenery is stunning. Precipitous canyon walls rise steeply into the blue sky.

3Ts Mountains: Telegraph Peak (8985') stands as the crowning glory of the celebrated Three T's, with Thunder Mountain (8587') to its north, and Timber Mountain (8303') to its south.

More info for https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9270810

Driving Direction to the trailhead: Take the 91, 60, 10 or 210 to 15, then exit Lytle Creek Rd. Park in a parking lot.

REMINDER:
By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings
**YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
**YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY
Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, snake bites, mountain lions or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike