Cucamonga Peak(edit)

Overview

This is a difficult one way trail in Cucamonga Wilderness.

This trail goes by Icehouse Saddle, Cucamonga Peak, and Columbine Spring.

This peak is often the end of a moderate out/back hike that is about 5.6 miles one-way. The most common hike route starts at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead. The first 3.6 miles follows the Icehouse Canyon trail, which is a heavily trafficked route to Icehouse Saddle (34.2391, -117.5945). Continuing on beyond the saddle leads to a trail along the eastern side of Bighorn Peak to Cucamonga Saddle and then up the switchbacks heading up the north face of Cucamonga Peak. Be careful to look for the final turn at the junction of the peak trail with the main trail that continues on to Etiwanda Peak. There is no good marker there, but it is at the bottom of a small gully after the last switchback and you are heading east. The junction is just after a slight downhill. The Peak offers a wonderful view of the Los Angeles basin, and is a popular destination for day-hikers as well as the occasional backpacker who will spend the night near the peak. The most popular place to take pictures is on a rock on a sub-peak a little to the west of the main peak (about 300’).

Take care in the area, rattlesnakes do live among the rocks near the peak.

This peak is also often done in conjunction with Etiwanda Peak. More challenging hikes including this is the ECBO (Etiwanda, Cucamonga, Bighorn, and Ontario) all in one long hike that includes a use trail between Cucamonga and Etiwanda, and a use trail between Bighorn and the Cucamonga Saddle. Even more adventurous hikers include this on the Fool’s Traverse, which includes 11 peaks in the area, which is recommended only for experienced hikers with a plan for resupply of water along the route.

Getting Started

Parking for the closest trailhead is at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead. The lot is small and fills quickly on popular days. Most people will wind up parking along the Mt. Baldy Road and walking. Alternate routes starts at the Baldy Notch and comes along the Three Ts Trail or the Middle Fork Lytle Creek Trail.

Taking Children

There are several spots south of Icehouse Saddle that can be a little challenging for children due to large steps up some steep sections, but this is still Class 1 terrain with a few sections that are Class 2. Children of 8 years old are often seen on this this peak. I would rate this as a 6/10 for children. Views of the LA Basin are interesting, as is the Columbine Spring.