Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon

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Cucamonga Wilderness

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Difficulty: Schwierig
Length: 11.6 miles / 18.7 km
Duration: Ganzer Tag

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Übersicht: Cucamonga Peak offers amazing views over Southern California’s Inland Empire, east toward Apple Valley and beyond. This hike from Icehouse Canyon is a strenuous 11.6 mile out-and-back route with 4,300 feet of vertical gain and a top elevation of 8,859′. The north-facing slope holds snow much later in the season than other peaks.

From atop Cucamonga Peak you can see most of the better-known peaks in Southern California, including the distinctive saddleback mountains (Santiago and Modjeska peaks) in Orange County; Mt. San Jacinto, San Gorgonio, and Mt. San Antonio (Mt. Baldy).

This is the second of six southern California summits in the 6-Pack of Peaks bundle. Done in sequence, they provide great training anyone preparing for bigger hikes such as Mt. Whitney or Half Dome. Each hike in the 6-Pack is progressively higher in altitude, and all have respectable distance and vertical elevation gain.

Tipps: Permits are required even for day hikes. Call ahead to the Baldy Village Ranger Station (909-982-2829) the day before and ask them to post it on the bulletin board.

A National Parks Adventure Pass is required for parking at the trailhead. Parking fills up quickly. Carpool and get there early.

There is water available in Icehouse Canyon, but treat or filter before drinking. The second half of the trail is dry. I would recommend two liters for this dry and often hot section of the trail.

The second half of the trail is steep, dry and exposed. On a hot summer day, I would opt to hike a different trail.

Points of Interest

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Icehouse Canyon Trailhead

The Icehouse Canyon trail parallels Icehouse Creek. There are numerous cabins that dot the landscape along the lower section of Icehouse Creek, and you'll see the remains of still more cabins that were washed away by floods or rock slides years ago.

Icehouse Creek is extremely photogenic, but save the photos for the way back, with the more dramatic afternoon light.

Remains of a cabin (one of many like this) Photo

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Crossing a Steep Slope

This section includes several switchbacks as you traverse the steep canyon walls toward the saddle.

Hiking the switchbacks on the popular Icehouse Canyon trail Photo

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[JCT] Icehouse Saddle

Five trails converge at this saddle. Rest, regroup, then continue straight ahead on the trail to Cucamonga Peak. As you leave the saddle, the trail closely follows the contours around the side of Bighorn Peak, providing a much-appreciated break after the climb up the canyon.

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Minor Saddle

At this minor saddle you'll have views to the west over the Inland Empire, and to the northeast over the Antelope Valley. On a clear day, you can see the 15 freeway in the distance, making it's way out towards Barstow.

From here on it's a steep climb to the summit with numerous switchbacks.

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[JCT] Cucamonga Peak Trail

Watch for the sign to Cucamonga Peak, taking the trail leading to the right and up the mountain. You're almost there!

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Cucamonga Peak

The southeast side of Cucamonga Peak is a precipitous drop, with stunning views of the smog-choked Inland Empire. If you are up here on a clear day, you can easily pick out Mt. San Antonio (Baldy), San Gorgonio, and San Jacinto.

Remember to sign the summit log!

Retrace your steps back to the Icehouse Canyon trailhead.

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Ranger Station

You can pickup your free permit here at the ranger station. Permits are mandatory in the Cucamonga Wilderness, even for day hikes. The ranger station opens at 7am on weekends. If you are starting earlier, call the day before and they will pin your permit on the bulletin board outside.

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Trailhead parking for Icehouse Canyon

Icehouse Canyon is a popular trail and this parking fills up early. A National Forest Adventure Pass must be displayed in your car.

Die Bilder in diesem Guide wurden aufgenommen von: modernhiker, rezn8o2, jeffhester, kylehayes

Wie funktioniert das?

Had a great day on this hike today. Beautiful views from the top and just a great trail. I am also following the SixPack and it has been great so far. Didn't get on the trail until 9 though and it was starting to get pretty hot before we got down. Wouldn't do this hike if it was much hotter not much cover on the second half.
Visited on May 24, 2012

von pstorey11 on May 24, 2012

I'm following Jeff's SoCal SixPack of Peaks series of trails.
Completed Mt. Wilson 2 weeks before this. The trail up to Icehouse Saddle was very crowded which turned me off a bit. But the trail leading to Cucamonga Peak was a lot less crowed and simply amazing. I completed this trail solo. Came back humbled and inspired. This trail is a must for So Cal folks.

Thank you Jeff for the guide.

Visited on Oct 04, 2011

von thx123 on Oct 03, 2011