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Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.6 (27)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …San Gabriel Mountains
  5. Mt. Baldy
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“Climb, climb, climb to the summit of Cucamonga Peak for great views of the surrounding area. ”

David Hill
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11.4

Miles

18.3

KM

Out and Back

8,813' 2,686 m

High

5,022' 1,531 m

Low

4,051' 1,235 m

Up

4,055' 1,236 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (8°)

68%

Max Grade (34°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Wilderness permits are required to enter the Cucamonga Wilderness, but are self-service at the trailhead. No campfires allowed in the Cucamonga Wilderness.

Overview

Enjoy an out-and-back hike to one of the popular peaks in the area.

Need to Know

Adventure Pass required to park at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead.

Description

This hike begins at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead just beyond Mt. Baldy Village. Permits are required, but are self-serve and available at the trailhead.

The Icehouse Canyon Trail #7W07A works its way into the canyon along Icehouse Creek. The parking lot at the trailhead is a decent size, but is not big enough to handle typical weekend use. An adventure pass is required to park in the area. If you are planning a weekend trip, I would recommend showing up early.

Icehouse Saddle makes a good place to rest before the second half of this hike. There are five separate trails that intersect at Icehouse Saddle, so make sure you find the right trail before moving on. You want to look for the Cucamonga Peak Trail #7W04 signage.

From the saddle to the peak is only 2.4 miles. The trail heads south until reaching the slopes of Cucamonga Peak. The north face of Cucamonga can hold snow much later in the year than other trails in the area. Depending on the trail conditions and season, microspikes may be required on the north face. At the high point on the trail, turn right on the Cucamonga Peak Spur and follow it 0.1 miles to the summit.

Once at the peak, you'll be rewarded with spanning views of the surrounding mountain ranges and, depending on air quality, the cities below. The return hike follows the same route back to the trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

Oaks, maple, alder and bigcone spruce are found at the lower part of the trip while Jeffrey, sugar and lodpole pines offer occasional shade on the higher slopes. Watch for columbines and scarlet monkeyflowers around the springs. Bighorn sheep can sometimes be seen when there aren't too many people around.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - San Bernardino National Forest Office

Shared By:

David Hill
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 27 votes

#2

in Mt. Baldy

#431

Overall
  4.6 from 27 votes
5 Star
67%
4 Star
26%
3 Star
7%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Mt. Baldy

#68

in California

#431

Overall
7 Views Last Month
4,873 Since Jul 17, 2017
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Photos

Pride Rock on the Cucamonga Trail
Nov 2, 2019 near Mount B…, CA
Panoramic view from Cucamonga Peak looking out towards San Gorgonio and the upper LA basin.
Feb 2, 2016 near Rancho…, CA
Keep an eye on the trail in this section - it's less clear on the way up, so if you're (understandably) distracted by the scenery, then you might find yourself off in the riverbed and not on the trail.
Apr 19, 2015 near San Ant…, CA
Spring colors are beautiful along the riverbed. The different ecologies along this hike are one of its strongest features.
Apr 19, 2015 near Wrightwood, CA
Large group of scouts headed up for an overnight - very polite hikers!
Apr 19, 2015 near San Ant…, CA
Big Horn Saddle on the way to Cucamonga Peak. View to the northeast
Sep 28, 2018 near Rancho…, CA

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jun 18, 2023
Ted Kaufmann
12.6mi — 7h 32m
Aug 10, 2021
Carl Hartenstein
12.1mi — 6h 01m
Jun 26, 2021
Rochelle Haas
Not as painful as last year, but I ate it coming down the mountain which scared me for a hot second. Still awesome hike! 13.5mi — 6h 52m
Feb 14, 2021
Kat Hui
Jan 11, 2021
Jesse Garcia
This was my first serious hike. Happy I was able to make it to the top. We took a lot of breaks and hungout at the to taking pictures snacking for… 11.4mi — 9h 00m
Dec 6, 2020
Private User
Nov 21, 2020
Chris Peterson
Oct 23, 2020
Jennifer Gramley

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