1-20-23
We decided to hike up Icehouse Canyon, to see the waterfalls flowing in winter, during a recent snow. The road to the parking area was clear. There were however signs along the roadside reading “Hiking Not Advised.” This was likely due to recent missing hikers on Mt Baldy, including one who is famous, the actor Julian Sands.
The Baldy Bowl where many of these people went missing, is popular with mountaineers, who utilize its perfect pitch, as practice for more difficult, and technical peaks, such as Mount Shasta, Denali, and Mount Rainier.
We would not be even considering hiking up Mount Baldy today. We were merely going to check out the snow in Icehouse Canyon, before it melts. You just never know when the snow will decide to melt in any given year. We were not even hiking all the way to the saddle, which would be dangerous, requiring helmets, crampons, and an ice axe, along with training in how to use them, at a bare minimum.
I had my Kahtoola microspikes, and some hand warmers, along with lots of layers. That was as prepared as I was planning to be on this day. It was very chilly, when we arrived, and exited the car. It was early morning, which is generally the best time to hike in the snow, before the sun hits it, turning it to slush, and eventually ice.
We proceeded up a very icy Icehouse Canyon. I started to pass the cabins, and could hear the creek. It was raging, and I could already spot my first waterfall. There was far more water in the canyon now, than there was back in the summertime, when the creek was flowing ever so slowly, at a trickle.
The first cabin from times past, is covered in graffiti. That is the welcome you get here, if you happen to come, to see the history here. It has not been kind to these structures, and there is no telling exactly why.
In 1859 an Icehouse was built in this canyon. Mules and wagons were used to haul the ice down the mountain. It would be sold door to door, for refrigeration. There even used to be an Ice Cream Saloon here in Mt Baldy Village. In 1892 a Placer Gold claim was staked in Icehouse Canyon, gold fever ensued, and mining would commence here. Silver, and iron ore were also processed here. Kelly’s camp was the site of the first claim, and another is located right by cabin number 26.
The cabins were built here after the Forest Service advertised home sites for $15 a year, with the construction of “temporary houses,” being $150. Later the Chapman family developed a resort here with cabins, called the Icehouse Canyon Resort. There have been floods, fires, and deadly avalanches in this canyon before. This canyon has a lot of history, and continues to make history, since it is one of the most popular places to hike year-round.
I would eventually put on my micro spikes, which gave amazing traction on the icy trail. I continued about a mile and half up the canyon, to the point where it begins to steepen, after the large boulder field. Then I turned back, as my one error was in wearing only one pair of wool socks. My toes were starting to freeze in my gore-tex boots, and a single pair of wool socks. I will not even think about not double socking next time I hike in these cold temps.
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I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
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