Ontario Peak in Winter

Hiking to Ontario Peak in December is unusual for me. I don’t typically hike to peaks above 7000 feet during the dead of winter. Not only can it be hazardous to hike when there is ice and snow, I don’t have a vehicle that does well on roads during these conditions in the mountains, so I don't go. It had been an unusual winter so far, with fall and spring coming simultaneously. The fall leaves were turning golden just as fresh spring grass was emerging in December. Now in January, the wildflowers were emerging, first in the desert, and now in the coastal foothills. Amid all this unseasonal weather, were a series of atmospheric rivers which had served to re-charge the reservoirs, ensuring a fresh supply of water for Southern Californians, causing rivers and waterfalls to flow abundantly, while simultaneously dusting the highest peaks of the LA mountains above 7000 feet in a generous blanket of snow.

Ontario and Bighorn Peaks

Follow along on my hike to Ontario Peak. You begin the hike at Icehouse Canyon trailhead, just off Mt Baldy Road. This trailhead is the gateway for several other hikes: The Three T’s Hike, Cucamonga Peak, and Icehouse Saddle. There is a small parking lot which begins to fill up by 6am. Hope this Hiking Guide helps you plan your visit to Icehouse Canyon and Ontario Peak.

Cucamonga Peak Elevation

I would be hiking to Cucamonga Peak in the Angeles Forest. This is a scenic and beautiful 12 mile hike, with about 4000 feet of gain, past Icehouse Saddle. There is a creek running through Icehouse Canyon. There were lots of beautiful cascading waterfalls here.