The trail immediately ascends through the 2003 Grand Prix burn area. The brush is returning nicely but the tree scars will remain for quite awhile. In the first picture, the trail is on the hillside not in the wash:
We took the high trail and avoided Stone House Crossing trail camp on the way up. On the return trip we took the low trail and passed through the camp at that time.
We quickly hiked out of the burn area and entered the Cucamonga Wilderness. Don't forget to call Lytle Creek Ranger Station to get your wilderness permit; they will fax it to you.
The hike takes you through Third Stream Crossing and Commanche trail camps. Looking up the canyon after Third Stream Crossing:
There is one big slide that is moderately negotiable between Third Stream and Commanche.
Plenty of water was flowing at Commanche. Our troop will probably backpack there sometime. This is the last water before the big uphill. Commanche (don't know why the camp is spelled with two 'M's but that appears to be official):
The last leg up the dry wash to Icehouse Saddle was full of switchbacks but worth the long uphill:
We met ~25 hikers on the trail - not to mention the hordes of tents in the lowest camp area at Third Stream Crossing - on the way down:
Although various sources describe Lytle Creek's Middle Fork as being lightly visited, this last Memorial Day weekend surely wasn't. There were ~20 vehicles in the parking lot when we returned.
IMO, this 11 mile round trip, 3600' gain hike is one of the best in the San Gabriel Mountains. Be sure to be in good shape, though.
