The Cucamonga Wilderness
I hiked up to Icehouse Canyon for the second time this fall. This canyon is within the Cucamonga Wilderness and is the start of several of my favorite hikes, such as Icehouse Saddle, Ontario Peak, and Cucamonga Peak.
It was a Saturday morning, and the parking area was full, so I parked a half mile down the hill from the trailhead alongside the road. I displayed my Forest Service pass, to be on the safe side, even though I’m not sure if it was required.
Today my plan was to take Icehouse Canyon to Chapman Trail, before hiking on to Icehouse Saddle. I had been planning to hike to Timber Mountain, one of the Three’s T’s, the last of the three I had not summited after Thunder Mountain and Telegraph Peak.
It was a warm sunny day in early December. I wasn’t sure how many more mild fall days we had left before snow and ice would arrive in Icehouse Canyon. When that happens you’re no longer hiking, you’re mountaineering. The sides of the canyon are steep, and people have slid to their deaths here in winter. I would soon get a glimpse of why that is.
As I made my way up the canyon, I noticed the vibrant fall colors were now gone. Most of the vegetation had dried up and withered away.
Chapman Trail
I reached Chapman Trail, making a left, up a trail considered scenic, with great views, and an overlook.
As I climbed higher up the hillside along the switchbacks, I began to gain even more expansive and scenic views of the canyon below.
The sunlight was filtering through the trees and the winds were calm.
I could tell already what a beautiful trail this was, as I wound my way through the manzanita and thorn bushes.
Eventually, the trail became much more exposed to the sun, and warm, as I entered a more rocky zone.
The trail was narrow, and became exceedingly rocky as I edged closer to my next stop, Icehouse Saddle.
There were several spots where the rocky hillside had a rather extreme pitch. In winter, this would not be nearly as safe.
There were some steep drop offs, as I rounded the corner of the rocky cliffsides.
It was already so narrow, and the rocks threatened to trip me at every step. One stumble here on ice could send a hiker plummeting to their deaths in winter. I wanted to remind myself not to hike this trail in winter, however brave I was feeling.
Taking Chapman Trail to the saddle is a bit longer than taking the Icehouse Canyon Trail. There were tons of beautiful views, interesting trees, and scenic spots all along the narrow trail.
I was about a mile to the saddle, when I crosses a humongous rockfall of jagged granite boulders.
Looking back at what I crossed over, was another reminder of the dynamic nature of these mountains, ever changing. A new rock chute like this, can emerge at any moment.
The switchbacks leading to the juncture, of where Chapman Trail meets Icehouse, near the saddle, was rocky, rugged, and narrow.
There were large pinecones scattered everywhere along the trail, which gave rise to throughts of holiday decorating and the pine cone crafts of childhood.
I made it to the turnoff and was now less than a 1/2 mile from Icehouse Saddle.
As I approached the saddle, it was growing late in the day. Would I have time to make it to Timber Mountain and back before dark?
The saddle was decked out in a blanket of fallen pine needles, characteristic of late fall. Soon they would become blanketed in snow.
Once at the saddle, I made a left along the Three T’s Trail.
As I continued down the trail climbing higher along the switchbacks, I looked out over the canyon. I passed a couple heading back. Despite the crowded parking area, I had run into very few hikers on this trek.
The tree’s began to change, and were more gnarled, and twisted by the high winds that frequently sweep along these ridges.
I climbed along the narrow steep trail, along the Three T’s Trail. I had climbed the other two T’s (Thunder Mountain and Telegraph Peak), though not Timber, not yet.
I soon reached another turnoff for Timber Mountain, making a right.
I then headed up the last steep quarter mile which was rather steep and rocky.
There were stunning views through the tree’s into the canyon along this ridge.
Timber Mountain
I had made it to Timber Mountain and now officially hiked to all the Three T’s. At the peak I was greeted by a rather unique large pine, standing triumphantly behind the peak sign. There were pines great and small along the trail. Some less than a year old growing from the rocks, and others managing to make it one hundred years old or more.
Would this be my last peak this year? Winter was coming soon, so it very well could be. I was grateful to make it back to the wilderness one more time before the year came to a close.
I continued back down Icehouse Canyon Trail, down several long, steep switchbacks. As I hiked down in the fading light I continued to reflect on how this canyon would be in winter, and how treacherous it most undoubtedly would be.
Hiking After Dark
Timing is everything on mountain hikes, when you’re trying to hike during winter, and there are short days. Yet, I found myself hiking in the canyon in darkness at the end. I ended up passing the same couple again somehow, who I passed enroute to Timber Mountain. They had taken their time, and I was going rather fast on the downhill.
It was well past twilight as I reached the trailhead. I switched on my light on my phone, and got out my headlamp. It was just about pitch black, when I reached my car, the only one left.
Conclusion
I had made the climb to Icehouse Saddle, and a month or two ago, didn’t know this would even be possible. I worried my hiking days might be over. I had to trust in God, that my brokenness was not permanent, and trust in his plan. I am grateful that I have experienced gradual healing. Though still not 100% better, I feel better just about every day.
“Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”
– Proverbs 4:25-27
So I am not trying to overdo it and injure myself again. Not being able to work or drive was a trying time. So perhaps my next hike will be slightly more challenging. I just need to make hiking something sustainable, so I can still attend to all the other responsibilities of life. I am not a full-time hiker right now, even though if I had the chance, I probably would be.
I plan to return to Icehouse Canyon and the Mt Baldy area as much as I can. With the closures due to the Bridge Fire, I was not able to make it back to Mt Baldy again in the fall as I had hoped. I love this area so much, and when I am here, it feels like home. I felt good to be back in the mountains again. Until next time Icehouse Canyon.
6 For a child is born to us,
Isaiah 9:6-7
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor,[a] Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from
the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of
Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!
Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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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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