Ice House Canyon 5 Peaks
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 10:42 am
Phil, Patrick, Tina, DaveG and son Liam, Ira, Mark, and I started at the Ice House canyon trail head. We went up Falling Rock canyon to Sugarloaf peak then over to Ontario, Big Horn, Etiwanda then Cucamonga.
Falling Rock canyon was a lot of fun. Steep boulder hopping with some ledges. A steep way to start the morning. We topped out on a ridge then dropped packs and made our way over to Sugarloaf. Picture perfect day with a nice breeze to keep the temps down.
Back to the packs and then a long, steep climb up to Ontario. That was a butt kicker. But there was plenty of shade on that climb with the nice breeze. At the Ontario summit there was snacks and tree climbing photos.
On the way to Big Horn we stopped at Kelly's Camp to refill the water bottles from the spring. It was flowing about a liter per minute. There's a nice patch of grass around the spring along with a zillion bugs.
We followed the trail a little ways then climbed a gully back up to the ridge to the trail to Big Horn. After the nice break at the water hole this was a bit tiring, must mean it's about lunch time.
At the Big Horn summit we had some snacks before heading down the sandy hill to the Cucamonga/Big Horn saddle. That went quick and there was a nice, cool breeze at the saddle. Good thing since the hot, exposed climb up Cucamonga was next.
Up the Cucamonga trail, switchbacks and hot sun can be no fun. Finally the turnoff to Etiwanda. A brief stop and we spotted a big horn sheep further up Cucamonga. It looked us over then moved off.
The hike over to Etiwanda was cool. There were many nice nap spots in the forested area. It was fun to think about it anyway. Getting to the base of Etiwanda, another climb up. But it's well worth it. The views on the Etiwanda summit are spectacular.
After some photos it's back to the trail junction then up to the Cucamonga summit. Number 5! Took some photos signed the register then back to the trail junction where Phil cooked the best cinnamon rolls we'd ever had. What an awesome way to finish off a tough and amazing hike.
Heading down was uneventful, a quick stop at Columbine Springs for a refill then continue down hot, dusty Ice House Canyon. The cool breeze on the ridges was not at the parking lot, which was in the upper 80s.
Approx. 16-18 miles and 6500 feet elevation gain. A great day with a great group! Photos are here:
http://s622.photobucket.com/albums/tt30 ... ?start=all
Falling Rock canyon was a lot of fun. Steep boulder hopping with some ledges. A steep way to start the morning. We topped out on a ridge then dropped packs and made our way over to Sugarloaf. Picture perfect day with a nice breeze to keep the temps down.
Back to the packs and then a long, steep climb up to Ontario. That was a butt kicker. But there was plenty of shade on that climb with the nice breeze. At the Ontario summit there was snacks and tree climbing photos.
On the way to Big Horn we stopped at Kelly's Camp to refill the water bottles from the spring. It was flowing about a liter per minute. There's a nice patch of grass around the spring along with a zillion bugs.
We followed the trail a little ways then climbed a gully back up to the ridge to the trail to Big Horn. After the nice break at the water hole this was a bit tiring, must mean it's about lunch time.
At the Big Horn summit we had some snacks before heading down the sandy hill to the Cucamonga/Big Horn saddle. That went quick and there was a nice, cool breeze at the saddle. Good thing since the hot, exposed climb up Cucamonga was next.
Up the Cucamonga trail, switchbacks and hot sun can be no fun. Finally the turnoff to Etiwanda. A brief stop and we spotted a big horn sheep further up Cucamonga. It looked us over then moved off.
The hike over to Etiwanda was cool. There were many nice nap spots in the forested area. It was fun to think about it anyway. Getting to the base of Etiwanda, another climb up. But it's well worth it. The views on the Etiwanda summit are spectacular.
After some photos it's back to the trail junction then up to the Cucamonga summit. Number 5! Took some photos signed the register then back to the trail junction where Phil cooked the best cinnamon rolls we'd ever had. What an awesome way to finish off a tough and amazing hike.
Heading down was uneventful, a quick stop at Columbine Springs for a refill then continue down hot, dusty Ice House Canyon. The cool breeze on the ridges was not at the parking lot, which was in the upper 80s.
Approx. 16-18 miles and 6500 feet elevation gain. A great day with a great group! Photos are here:
http://s622.photobucket.com/albums/tt30 ... ?start=all
, Cucamonga to his car in 1:25 min that's moving, nice work, I'm sure the family apprecaited it - the "Adventure Pass is mine, just bring it north with you ), it was nice to finally hike in the same direction as Elwood (Ira), it was nice to meet Dave's son Liam, that boy can fly. Thanks go out to Phil for the amazing "cinnimon rolls" and the "virgin margarita" at the truck and the suttle to & from starbucks (or as my brother calls it "fivebucks" 
). And it was good to be on the trail with Dave G, Phil, Tina and James again. Everyone kept up a great pace and good times were had by everyone.
.
