"I started from the Icehouse Trailhead and went up the canyon at 7 AM, signed our permits and started climbing up the scenic canyon past waterfalls and many nice areas like the cliffs. Then I we climbed through more cabins and such as we climbed and then after a while reached the wilderness boundary and climbed through the rocks and more to reach the first switchbacks to climb up to the Icehouse Saddle. Throughout the hike I had seen some nice views up towards the surrounding mountains and Baldy. Then I passed the famous weird sign as I climbed up the switchbacks and then saw some nice views towards Baldy, Bighorn, and the surrounding peaks. Then once I reached Icehouse Saddle I had seen little snow beforehand, but then this is where it became more of a light mountaineering exersize. I then put on microspikes (smaller crampons) and my poles which I used to traverse the snow slopes to a point on the ridge jutting out. Then I climbed across a glacier and some dry spots, passing the Lytle Creek Mine along the way up. Then I went down and up some switchbacks and then after a while reach ed Cucamonga Saddle. Then I climbed up the first switchback and then once the switchbacks went on the..." — lc444 • Apr 15, 2025

"I hiked to Cucamonga Peak and Etiwanda Peak. My favorite peak is Etiwanda Peak because it has great views down to the Joe Elliot Tree Canyon, we made our own sign, and I signed a register for the first time. " — lcnguyen • Sep 29, 2021

"What was supposed to be a long day in the mountains turned into a real adventure as a result of the local wildlife participating in the proceedings. Drove up Middle Fork Road on Sunday as far as I was comfortable pushing the Subaru Outback... Hiked up to Cucamonga Peak and then stayed on or close to the ridge to tag Icehouse Peak, Etiwanda Peak, Peak 8386 and the peak 1 mile to the East of there (7,398 feet). Plan was to reach the saddle directly East of 7,398 and then descend directly via the canyon straight north of the saddle to reach the side trail leading directly to the Middle Fork Trailhead and a short hike along the dirt road back to the car. Just before reaching the saddle I traversed on a cliffy section, reached above my head to use a crack and had the novel experience of being bitten twice in the finger by a rattlesnake who was enjoying his afternoon sunbath until I disturbed him. After taking a few minutes to calm down I called a doctor friend to assess my options. We figured that it would likely be faster to hike down on my own rather than rely on a helicopter rescue particularly since the sun was going to set in the next couple of hours. The next couple of miles down ..." — danishclimber • Jun 6, 2021

"Snow on trail rest of the way after Icehouse Saddle. Would've helped to have our microspikes but still fine without them, just slowed us down a bit. Had the summit to ourselves on a nice day and everything looked pretty with the snow." — jodola • Nov 15, 2020

"Peaks #15 and 16 of round two of the 2020 SoCal Six (18) Pack of Peaks Challenge. Three peaks peaks today. 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

"Summited from the Middle Fork of Lytle Creek Trail Head. Had originally planned to go up one of the shorter routes, but parking near Icehouse Canyon was an absolute zoo at 0700 - way too many people for our taste! So, we drove back around to Lytle Creek instead, which meant we lost a good bit of our early morning start and had to climb through the heat of the day. However, this hike afforded the peaceful wilderness experience we desired, only encountering 6 other hikers between Third Stream Crossing and Icehouse Saddle. Since we were now completing the final push to the summit later in the day, the climb was hot but again, much of the crowd summiting from the other trailheads had already dissipated and we had plenty of room at the top to savor the views. We had fairly easily conquered Mt. San Bernardino the weekend prior, which is almost as much ascent and mileage, but this hike really kicked our butts - maybe the less maintained/improved trail took more of a toll?" — Sierrawildflower • Aug 8, 2020

"Ok, so today started out horrible. After a couple of restless hours of sleep at Manker Flat (after driving from Vegas after work), we get up & start driving to the trailhead around 330am. As soon as the car moves forward - CRUNCH! I ran over the bag that had my cell phone and GPS in it! Both have severely cracked screens now, but magically, both work! We drove to the Icehouse Canyon trailhead and I back in to the spot. I absentmindedly removed my foot from the brake without putting it in park & start rolling backwards. By some dumb luck, I hit the brake again just before I back into a rock wall! Then, I go to eat my Mountain House breakfast & spill it all over myself. That put me over the edge! Lol! I calmed down & we ended up having a pretty good day. We hiked up Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak, Icehouse Peak, Etiwanda Peak & Peak 8386 before returning to the Icehouse Saddle & taking the longer Chapman Trail down. The smoke from the Apple Fire wasn't too bad, but we could see the plumes of smoke rising from the mountains as we enjoyed our summit breaks." — Kevin • Aug 7, 2020

"Peak #15 of the 2020 SoCal Six (18) Pack of Peaks Challenge and Peak #4 of the Original Six Peaks. Started at Icehouse Canyon Trailhead and hiked up to Icehouse Saddle and then on to Cucamonga Peak." — Philip-Yoho • Mar 6, 2020

"It was rainy and cloudy on my drive to the trailhead from Palm Springs, but luckily the weather cleared once I got to the trailhead. It was a nice climb to the top. It was windy and the views were blanketed by clouds, but the clouds were pretty. On the way down the clouds moved in closer and enveloped some of the trail; it was cool! 13.2 miles, 4,285 feet of elevation gain, moving time 5 hours, total time 5 hours and 45 minutes. " — runningvegan • Sep 28, 2019

"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