WPT012
Location: 34.2314377, -117.6080551
At 4.7 miles, keep L at Y-junction, turning onto Bighorn Peak Trail. Here, you have a phenomenal view of Bighorn Peak and Cucamonga Peak, to the east, as well as Timber, Telegraph, and Thunder Peaks to the north.
Continue on the Bighorn Peak trail as it heads east, staying just to the north of the ridge.
WPT015
Location: 34.2336998, -117.5977097
At 5.54 miles, reach the summit of Bighorn Peak (el. 8441). Take in the nearly 360-degree views from the bare summit, then return west on the Bighorn Peak Trail, toward Ontario Peak.
WPT002
Location: 34.2489357, -117.6218109
At 0.95 miles, stay right at Y, continuing east on Icehouse Canyon Trail.
OPTION: Turn left at Y onto Chapman Trail. This optional route climbs north into Cedar Canyon, reaching Cedar Glen Campground in 1.6 miles. The trail then continues east, above Icehouse Canyon, and rejoins it in another 2.1 miles.
WPT007
Location: 34.2419205, -117.5998611
At 2.84 miles, keep right at Y junction with the Chapman Trail -- returning from its earlier detour toward Cedar Glen Campground.
WPT006
Location: 34.2432442, -117.604599
At 2.26 miles, pass by Columbine Spring -- a free-flowing spring and small pool just to th south of the Icehouse Canyon Trail.
This is the last reliable souce of water on the route, and should be treated before drinking.
Continue on Icehouse Canyon Trail as it begins a series of several long switchbacks up the north side of Icehouse Canyon.
WPT016
Location: 34.2314262, -117.6126938
At 6.81 miles, continue west along a fairly level stretch through another large section of dead trees.
WPT013
Location: 34.2320747, -117.6005249
At 5.28 miles, the Bighorn Peak Trail becomes very faint, and disappears through some patches of manzanita.
Continue hiking apx. 100 feet southeast, toward the edge of the ridge. From there, the trail becomes visible again as it climbs northeast through the low manzanita and brush on Bighorn Peak's southwest face.
WPT018
Location: 34.228405, -117.6194382
ALTERNATE DESCENT: Turn L off-trail into Falling Rock Canyon for a class 2 bouldering descent back into Icehouse Canyon.
Stay on the ridge between Cherry and Falling Rock Canyons as it descends apx. .96 miles to the northwest. From here, you can ascend Sugarloaf Peak (el. 6924) for commanding views of Mount Baldy Village and the Icehouse Canyon parking area. Adds apx. 1400 feet of distance.
Or, continue apx. 0.58 miles down the western side of Falling Rock Canyon, through loose rock and scree. The only major obstacle is a 20ft. waterfall near Icehouse Canyon, which is passable through use-trails cut into the brush to the east of the falls.
While this is not classified as a difficult route by bouldering standards, it is much more difficult than hiking along the trail. Take precaution, and only use this descent if you have previous experience bouldering or scrambling.
WPT008
Location: 34.2392807, -117.5944901
At 3.39 miles, reach Icehouse Saddle (el. 7555) at the end of Icehouse Canyon Trail. This is an open, constantly windy, and often-crowded rest stop.
WPT010
Location: 34.2338982, -117.6044846
At 4.37 miles, enter Kelly Camp -- the site of a former wilderness resort. Several foundations and staircases of buildings are still visible.
Keep L at the Y-junction in the camp, and continue south as the trail climbs the north slope between Ontario and Bighorn Peaks.
WPT003
Location: 34.2484016, -117.6154938
At 1.29 miles, cross a small tributary of the Icehouse Canyon Creek and continue east in Icehouse Canyon.
Here, the trail leaves the riparian landscape and begins working its way through looser boulders and talus. The trail itself, however, remains in very good condition.
WPT005
Location: 34.2459488, -117.6078873
At 1.93 miles, pass a steel "2" Marker as the trail leaves the canyon floor and begins a major ascent along the canyon's north wall.
WPT009
Location: 34.2391014, -117.5943909
Veer to the far R at 4-way junction, and join the Ontario Peak Trail. The Ontario Peak Trail heads west, along the south slope of Icehouse Canyon through very pleasant alpine forests and manzanita. This trail is often iced-over during the winter. Use crampons and ice-axes if the weather requires them.
OPTION: Take first L at 4-way junction onto Three Tees Trail to add Timber Mountain (1.8 miles RT, el. 8303), and Telegraph Peak (5.8 miles RT, el. 8985). Timber Mountain is a mostly forested peak, with decent views to the north. Telegraph Peak is an exposed promontory with excellent views north to the Antelope Valley and east toward the San Bernardino National Forest. You can also add Thunder Mountain (el. 8587) -- a ski-area in the winter -- for a round-trip additional distance of 7.8 miles.
OPTION 2: Continue straight at 4-way junction onto Cucamonga Peak Trail toward Cucamonga Peak (8859 ft). This trail makes a jagged switchbacking ascent up the western slope of the peak to the summit -- an exposed cliff with exceptional views of the San Bernardinos, south toward the Los Padres National Forest, and of the urban sprawl in every direction.
WPT016
Location: 34.2314034, -117.6080246
At 6.28 miles, continue left at Y-junction onto the Ontario Peak Trail. This trail heads to the northwest through more manzanita and large swaths of dead pines, winding around a prominent bump on the ridge.
WPT017
Location: 34.2276878, -117.6241074
At 7.68 miles, reach the summit of Ontario Peak (el. 8693) -- a small rocky outcropping with spectacular views of the Baldy Bowl, Mount Baldy Village, and west toward the rest of the San Gabriels.
When you're done taking in the view, return back on the Ontario Peak Trail to Icehouse Saddle and return to the trailhead, or take the optional bouldering route down Falling Rock Canyon
WPT011
Location: 34.2323723, -117.605896
At 4.6 miles, stop at a downed tree, covering the Ontario Peak Trail. A use-trail is worn into the ground, heading east from the tree toward Bighorn Peak. Ignore it. Instead, hop over the tree trunk and continue along the established trail as it climbs toward the southwest.
WPT014
Location: 34.2336845, -117.5981674
At 5.52 miles, reach the summit plateau of Bighorn Peak. Continue east about 150 feet to the summit, marked by a pile of white rocks.
WPT001
Location: 34.2503052, -117.6371765
At the southeast corner of the parking lot, pass through the old gate on a semi-paved road, heading east. This is the site of Chapman's Ice House Canyon Resort, and you will pass several ruins of stone structures.
Hike on the well-worn and well-traveled Icehouse Canyon Trail for .95 miles. The trail sticks to the north side of the Creek, making its way through several historic cabins.
OPTION: Avoid crowds on the trail by boulder-hopping along the stream instead. This area is heavily forested, but the boulders in the creek are navigable. Watch out for stinging nettles.
WPT004
Location: 34.246933, -117.613121
At 1.53, continue on the Icehouse Canyon Trail as it crosses into the Cucamonga Wilderness Area. The boundary is marked by two sizable boulders and a large wooden sign, with rules, regulations, and safety tips posted.
Hikers and backpackers in this area may be asked to show Wildeness Permits by rangers.
Continue east through the rocky terrain, making a steady but moderate ascent.
trailhead
Location: 34.250248, -117.63694
view of the trailhead
earlytrail
Location: 34.2501335, -117.634964
an early, pleasant section of trail cut into Icehouse Canyon
cabin
Location: 34.2494545, -117.6315155
one of the many turn-of-the-century cabins in Icehouse Canyon
cabinruin
Location: 34.2475891, -117.6151276
one of the ruined cabin foundations, just before the Wilderness Boundary
rocky
Location: 34.246685, -117.6126404
Section of rockier trail, in the upper reaches of Icehouse Canyon
ascenticehouse
Location: 34.2457237, -117.6071014
View of the first portion of the main ascent to Icehouse Saddle
columbine
Location: 34.2434082, -117.6048355
Columbine Spring, just below the trail
saddle
Location: 34.239563, -117.5946045
Hikers rest at Icehouse Saddle
ontariotr
Location: 34.2388306, -117.5952301
The Ontario Peak Trail, as it leaves Icehouse Saddle.
kelly
Location: 34.2338562, -117.6042709
Kelly Camp
falsetr
Location: 34.2323837, -117.6057434
downed log and false use-trail to the left, on the Ontario Peak Trail
ascentridge
Location: 34.2318764, -117.6071014
view of the final ascent to the ridge between Ontario Peak and Bighorn Peak
tobighorn
Location: 34.2312546, -117.6059647
The trail to Bighorn Peak
fainttr
Location: 34.2322159, -117.600029
faint trail through manzanita bushes, ascending Bighorn Peak
ontarioview
Location: 34.233345, -117.5990753
view of the Ontario Peak Trail from Bighorn Peak
bighornsummit
Location: 34.2337418, -117.5979385
approaching the summit of Bighorn Peak on the summit plateau
deadtrees
Location: 34.2324409, -117.6100388
a large area of dead trees on the north slope of Ontario Peak
ontarioappr
Location: 34.229332, -117.617218
Approaching Ontario Peak from the east
ontariosummit
Location: 34.2277489, -117.6243362
The summit of Ontario Peak. The register is wedged between these boulders.
baldyview
Location: 34.2279205, -117.6234894
view of the Baldy Bowl from Ontario Peak
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