Just one view from the top of Cucamonga Peak
Cucamonga Peak is the second hike in what is known as the "So Cal SixPack of Peaks." The So Cal SixPack is a series of more and more strenuous hikes that go higher in elevation with each peak. The peaks included in the six pack are as follows: Mt. Wilson (12.6 miles, 5710'), Cucamonga Peak (11.6 miles, 8859'), Mt. San Antonio (a.k.a. Baldy, 11 miles, 10068'), San Bernardino Peak (15.7 miles, 10649), San Jacinto Peak (11.8 miles, 10834'), and the crowning glory, the tallest peak in So Cal, San Gorgonio (a.k.a. Old Greyback, 17.3 miles, 11503'). Done in sequence, these hikes are an excellent training schedule for any big hike like Whitney or Half-dome. But they are also great accomplishments in their own right! We plan to hike all of these peaks before Whitney with the exception of Mt. Wilson. We skipped that one because it is the lowest, and we aren't sure we have enough weekends for all of them. For more info on the So Cal SixPack, check out the SoCal SixPack page at EveryTrail.com. They have great trail descriptions, difficulty ratings, distances, and elevations. Overall they are one of the best hiking sites I have found. They are definitely the site I go to most often for my trail info.
Training Hike #2
Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon
Peak Height: 8859'
Distance: 11.6 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 4300'
We completed this hike on Sunday, June 14th. We left the house at 7am. We planned to leave at 6am but we were both feeling pretty groggy and it was a struggle just to get out by 7am. It is 1hr 45 minute drive to get up to Baldy Village from Oceanside. Our first stop was the ranger station to pick up our wilderness permit and adventure pass (we left our annual pass in the other car. It was a rough morning). The minute I got out of the car and inhaled that cool, clean mountain air filled with the scent of pine, I was instantly refreshed. This was our first visit to the Baldy Village area, and it is a great little spot! You really feel like you have escaped all the hustle and bustle of the city. And these are some real mountains with huge towering trees and some respectable peaks. These things can sometimes be hard to come by in So Cal. I was stoked to get started!
We drove up the road a mile or so and grabbed a spot in the Icehouse Canyon parking lot, gathered our gear and set out at around 9:30am. We set a leisurely pace as we began to climb up through the canyon. Icehouse Canyon is absolutely beautiful. It was the perfect temperature, and the canyon hosts a flowing creek complete with many waterfalls and clear pools, as well as a smattering of little stone cabins and ruins. Some of the cabins appeared to still be in use.
Cute little waterfall in Icehouse Canyon
With the sound of the creek and the multitude of birds, squirrels, and chipmunks lifting our spirits and propelling us onward, we made good time through the canyon. It really seemed to fly by in such a gorgeous setting. We followed all trail junction signs up to Icehouse Saddle by the shortest route. At one junction there is a slightly longer, but gentler trail option called the Chapman Trail, but we opted for the shorter, steeper route. Once you climb out of the canyon there are some switchbacks that lead up the mountainside. The views start to become more grand.
Climbing out of the canyon on the switchbacks
Once we finished the switchbacks, which are pretty strenuous, we arrived at Icehouse Saddle. This is a junction of three major trails. The 3 T's trail branches off to the left, the Ontario Trail branches right, and straight ahead is the Cucamonga Peak trail. For many hikers in Icehouse Canyon, this is their destination. But after a quick lunch of PB&J (that I dropped in the dirt, much to my dismay), and some trail mix, we continued up the Cucamonga Peak trail to the summit.
Erik checking out the map at Icehouse Saddle
The saddle is more than halfway to the peak, but we had a long drive home so it was time to get moving! As we left the saddle the trail quickly became looser and less maintained. We got to cross some impressive talus slopes and the views were quite spectacular. We kept moving as the trail became increasingly strenuous. There is one final push up a steep slope to the peak. We made it!
Basking in victory at the summit!
At the top we got to relax for a bit and have a snack. My legs were toast! But it was worth every step. The views on the summit were amazing. The peak is really prominent and plunges directly down into the Inland Empire. And in the other direction you get a stunning view of the San Gabriel Mountains.
Erik enjoying a snack at the summit
Luckily the hike down is pretty gradual in most spots so it wasn't too brutal. Plus on the way down there was a little more time for photography! We booked it down the trail stopping for pictures here and there.
Crossing a talus slope on our jaunt back to the trailhead
The afternoon light in Icehouse Canyon is perfect for pictures. On our way back down into the canyon we stopped at Columbine Spring, which flows directly under the trail, to splash some cool, refreshing water on our face. The waterfalls in the canyon were gorgeous, so we dipped our heads in a few of them as well.
An inviting pool in Icehouse Canyon, but the water is cold!
The cabins in the canyon are quite adorable, so of course I had to pose with one. I wouldn't mind having a cabin like this of my own someday!
This is my future summer home
We got back to the car around 5:00pm with plenty of daylight left. It was a fantastic hike, and a gorgeous day. I definitely plan to do some of the other hikes from Icehouse Canyon in the future. I can honestly say this was one of my favorite So Cal hikes to date. It would also make a great backpacking trip! I can't wait to go back to the area to tackle more of the peaks.
Till next time, keep living life to the fullest and hike on!
