Source and Summit Hikes: Cucamonga Peak (8,859') from Icehouse Canyon

Rising steeply from the vales of the Inland Empire, Cucamonga Peak is the crown of the

Eastern San Gabriels. Along with Ontario Peak, this mountain guards the exquisite forests on its northern slopes and beyond, known as the Cucamonga Wilderness. The sheer relief from the mountain is most impressive; the southern escarpment of the peak drops over 7000' to the sprawling suburbia of Upland, Etiwanda and Rancho Cucamonga. This peak, when seen from the south, is Southern California's only perfectly conical mountain; lending itself to the assumption that it is indeed an extinct volcano. Nonetheless, this obervational assumption is faulty, and this mountain, along with all of Southern California's peaks, was formed by the abrupt and vigorous movements of the San Andreas Fault, which can be seen from Cucamonga's summit. The climb up this mountain is undoubtedly one of Southern California's finest, starting near mountain vacation homes by the Mt. Baldy Village, past creeks and springs, through evergreen forests, onto the sub-alpine slopes near the zenith of the mountain. It is a climb certainly not worth missing.

Stats:

Category: Strenuous

Miles: 14

Elevation Gain: 4,300'

Location: Angeles National Forest, San Berardino National Forest, Cucamonga Wilderness

Directions: See account of the Baldy Notch until the Mt. Baldy Village. From the Village, proceed passed the trout ponds, and turn right onto Icehouse Canyon Rd. Park at the large parking lot. Full by 8 am on weekends.

The Trail: From the very busy Icehouse Canyon Trailhead (4970'), proceed up into the lower sections of the canyon, listening to the gently flow of Icehouse Creek below you. In about 0.75 miles, you reach one of the loveliest parts of the trail: year round springs, surrounded by verdant vegetation and resplendent flowers, flow serenely over the trail and fall 30 feet into the main watercourse. After viewing these splendid floral, verdant and aquatic beauties, you will reach mile marker one and a trail split. Remain on the main trail and continue about 0.5 more miles until you cross the creek and enter into "The Boulder Zone". Here follow the sometimes-washed-out-trail, as it goes up and down over some rocky terrain. At mile marker two, you begin climbing up the steep switchbacks, which continue up past a spring and thicker forests 1.5 miles to the Icehouse Saddle. From the breezy saddle (7,550'), is a five-way trail split. Follow the signage, and travel east and upwards towards Cucamonga Peak, enjoying the views into Lytle Canyon below you. From here you travel to the Cucamonga Saddle (7,680') for 1.5 miles, traveling up and down passing some interesting caves on route. This section is very painful on the way back as you end up gaining about 300' of lost ground. When you at last reach the windy saddle of Cucamonga, you can gaze westward at the boulder-strewn ridge of Ontario Peak over 1000' above you, as well as glancing at you first views on the megalopolis below. From here onto the summit is not for the faint of heart: you gain 1,250' in 1.25 miles over some scree and talus slopes. Take the going slowly as you wind around on switchbacks, all the while the forest thinning and the views expanding. At last you reach the spur trail to the summit and climb another steep 100' to the sandy-summit, overlooking the civilization below, and wilderness behind. To the south is the growing Inland Empire and Santiago Peak, to the west stand the Chino Hills and the distant Pacific Ocean, a glace north will bestow on you views of the high San Gabriels, topped by Mount San Antonio (10,064'), as well as the Mojave Desert and the San Andres Fault, while a views eastward lends itself to the verdant San Bernardino Mountains, crowned in glory by Mount San Gorgonio (11,502') and finally the San Jacinto's and Palomar mountains. What a world Our Lord hath created for us. Return the way you came.