"Started at 8 and finished at 3. Took my time coming back down through Icehouse Canyon. Had to spend time pep talking a reluctant hiker to keep going toward the peak (I did my public service). After visiting Ontario Peak, I stopped off at Peak 8688. It involved a side trip off trail. I was surprised to find a wind break and a register on the summit. The register named the peak “Fake Ontario Peak”." — MikeTeeples • Jun 11, 2022

"Peaks #15 and 16 of round two of the 2020 SoCal Six (18) Pack of Peaks Challenge. Three peaks peaks today. My hiking partner (Gabby) and I headed up Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak. Then back down to Cucamonga Saddle for the short steep climb up to Bighorn Peak, then all the way across the ridgeline to Ontario Peak. After Ontario Peak it was an exciting descent down Falling Rock Canyon and back to the trailhead." — Philip-Yoho • Aug 15, 2020

"After a 3rd consecutive extremely noisy night at Manker Flats Campground (I think there was a rave that was still going when we left camp around 230am), we were utterly exhausted, but still wanted to do this hike. We started (slowly) a little after 3am from Icehouse Canyon and reached the saddle just before sunrise. After a short rest, we continued on to Ontario Peak, where there were already a few people enjoying the excellent view. We turned back after a small meal and then took the faint path up to Bighorn Peak. From there, instead of taking the trail back, we descended the loose slope directly back down to Icehouse Saddle, then followed the trail back down to the car. It was nice to finally get to see the beauty of this canyon during daylight hours. As tired as we were, we still had to drive back to Vegas that afternoon. Ugghhh. " — Kevin • Jul 26, 2020

"Peak #17 o the 2020 SoCal Six (18) Pack of Peaks Challenge and my 6th and final peak of the Alternate Six Peaks. Another attempt at Ontario Peak today was a huge success. Started out in Lytle Creek and hiked up the Middle Fork Trail to Icehouse Saddle. From there I continued on via the Ontario Ridge Trail through Kelly Camp to Ontario Peak. There was some snow remaining but not nearly as much as the last attempt on this mountain." — Philip-Yoho • May 16, 2020

"Decided to do another snow hike today in an effort to get in another peak from the SoCal Six Pack of Peaks list. Unfortunately the weather had a different plan. I knew when I began my hike (before sunup) that the forecast called for potential storms in the late afternoon. So, I figured even with the snow on the ground I would still be able to summit before the storm. I made it up Icehouse Canyon in no time at all. I had to stop about a half mile from the saddle and put on my microspikes. In hindsight, I probably should have just went ahead and put on all my gear (crampons, boots, helmet, axe). When I got to the saddle the snow was about 2 feet or so deep and with the temps warming there were huge snow/ice balls dropping from the trees. I put on my helmet but decided that crampons weren't really going to work at this point and I put on my snowshoes. After a short break I head of toward Ontario Peak. The trail heading there was pretty much non existent and what I could find for a trail was actually (according to my GPS) above the normal route. The snow was soft and deep along the slope. plus I had to keep stopping to check my route up, Seemed I was going to much at an incline and was..." — Philip-Yoho • Mar 21, 2020

"Attempted on February 8, 2020. After the Ice House Canyon Saddle, the trail was very hard to follow. Hardly any people had been on the trail this snow season, I could only lightly see the microspike tracks on the frozen snow in some places. The trail was very slanted and my legs were uneven almost the entire time after splitting off onto Ontario Peak Trail. I had to keep readjusting my microspikes because of the slant. I only saw one other hiker on this trail and he was headed back after reaching the ridgeline. I followed his trail to the ridgeline and climbed up the first false summit of Ontario Peak. After that there was no trail in the snow. I wanted to avoid staying on the ridgeline for fear of an avalanche, so I went down a bit and tried to continue on, but I was post-holing badly. I turned around after that and headed back to the not-so-fun uneven trail. It was a relief to get back to the Ice House Canyon Trail and to see other hikers again. Lesson learned that I will not attempt this peak again until the snow melts. Miles and time to summit reflect when I turned around. Still got 11 miles in and climbed almost 4,000 feet. " — runningvegan • Feb 8, 2020

"Another great multi peak hike in the San Gabriels. Today from Icehouse Canyon Trailhead to Icehouse Saddle and then on to Cucamonga Peak. From Cucamonga Peak back to Cucamonga Saddle and then up the steep 1/2 mile climb to Bighorn and then across the ridgeline to Ontario Peak. Took the Ontario Peak Trail through Kelly Camp back down to Icehouse Saddle. Then back down Icehouse Canyon to the trailhead. I seem to be missing a ton of photos from several hikes during this time, but I'll find them. " — Philip-Yoho • Sep 28, 2019

"Perfect day to do 5 peaks. Etiwanda, Cucamonga, Bighorn, Ontario and Sugarloaf. Better known as ECBOS. What a great and challenging loop this was. Started out early at Icehouse Canyon and headed straight to Icehouse Saddle and then to Etiwanda Peak. From Etiwanda it was a short traverse off trail along the ridge to Cucamonga Peak. From Cucamonga Peak I followed the trail down to Cucamonga Saddle and then up a trace trail about a half mile and 700 feet in gain to Bighorn. From Bighorn it was a simple following of the ridgeline to Ontario Peak and then down from Ontario to a point between Cherry Canyon (left and Falling Rock Canyon (right), I followed that spur down to a saddle and then up to Sugarloaf Peak. From Sugarloaf, it was a half mile back down to the saddle and then the big descent down Falling Rock Canyon. It was my first descent down Falling Rock Canyon and it didn't disappoint. Tough, steep, but a fun descent down scree fields and some class 3 bouldering." — Philip-Yoho • May 25, 2019

"Second peak on SC 20s & 30s scouting trip. Not as far as the real Ontario, but still a smooth trail (except for 1-2 blowdowns) and a beautiful journey. Trip stats computed from Caltopo from Bighorn to Ontario peaks." — ctrain2018 • Sep 22, 2018

"Ended up being a warm day, more so along the ridge at the top where there is minimal shade. After summit this peak, I "swung by" Bighorn Peak. As always, I swear somebody adds more rocks to the trail at the bottom 2 miles while I'm out hiking!" — marc • Jul 15, 2018