EISPIRATEN

Well the wife and I got out for a second backpack trip. We loved it so much the first time and plan on doing a bunch more. We made a couple more gear purchases with the help of some folks here. Thanks Hikin Jim for telling me about Cedar Grove, and thanks MattCav for your help with all the REI questions and gear recommendations.

We set out Friday morning from Apple Valley about 8am, got down the 15 to the 210 when we realized we had forgot something. No it wasnt to lock up our meth lab. So we headed back home and got to the trail about 12. The parking lot was just like people said it would be, not too full. We parked and got everything together than set out for Cedar glen. The hike in was beautiful, we have never been to Ice house canyon. The sounds of the creek, the clean air, the bugs, did I mention the bugs. We made our way up taking lots of pictures and got to our cut off the Chapman trail. We headed up the trail and was just amazed at the awesome scenery. If you havent been on the Chapman trail to the saddle I would suggest it. On the Chapman trail we saw one other person, on the main trail we saw a lot of people.
We arrived at Cedar Glen and found a nice spot up on top under a tree. We set up there and tried the new instaflator, and it worked great, then climbed in on top of the new Neoair and fell asleep for a couple hours. After our nap we made dinner then just relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. I think we were in bed about 7pm, we were the only ones there. At least thats what we thought. About 9pm we awoke to some crazy noise. I think it was the deer coming up the side and running across the rocks and a helicopter pad. It was so loud. I fell back to sleep but my wife laid there to about 11pm she said. I told here we were safe, we had some nylon and mesh between us and them.
Saturday we were up about 7am, had some breakfast, then made our way to Ice house saddle. The Chapman trail up is beautiful! A little sketchy in areas, but awesome! We took so many pictures on the way up. We got to the junction with the main trail, we were so glad for all the orange paint on the rocks and trees to let us know that we were on the trail. We got to the top where there was the usual big crowds from what we have read, but it was still nice. We all sang happy bday to some guy, then we headed to Kellys camp. We thought about packing up from Cedar Glen and camping at Kellys but Im glad we didnt. Kellys was pretty busy. We got some water at the spring then made some lunch. We bummed around for a bit filled up all of our water bottles then headed back to Cedar Glen. The hike and views were amazing. We had the camp all to ourselves again till about 630 or so. A guy and his two kids came in, then some people with some very annoying dogs came in about 730. [rant] we all say our dog wont bite, thats the same thing the guy said about his dog that bit my 4 year old little girl in the face![rantoff/] so please be careful with your dogs. The dog chased one of the little kids, and ran after a hiker coming through.
We made dinner than it was off to lala land with the new Neoair, did I say I love this pad! We got up again about 7 and hit the trail at 8. Nice hike out, only saw one person again, but as soon as we got to the main trail, it was packed. we got to the car, looked back at the canyon, then it was back to the grind.
Thanks again to everyone here who post info, pictures, and your opinions. And thanks to the people that helped me via pm's! On to the pics!










is this what they mean by butt pucker







heli pad



the sad walk back to the car

Good stuff! Cedar Glen is a nice spot, and it does get you at least partially away from the crowds. Looks like you had good weather for it as well. Nice trip.

The other side of Icehouse Saddle (Middle Fork Lytle Creek) is also nice but only gets about 1/2 the traffic that Icehouse Canyon gets. You do have to drive in on a dirt road though.

HJ

Yes thanks again for the heads up on Cedar glen. I loved the empty campground Friday night. 8)

yobtaf wrote: ↑Yes thanks again for the heads up on Cedar glen. I loved the empty campground Friday night. 8)

Friday night is the way to go.

HJ

Nice adventure yob. A night at CG is on my local bucket list. Could have done without that pic of your butt pucker however.

Uncle Rico wrote: ↑Nice adventure yob. A night at CG is on my local bucket list. Could have done without that pic of your butt pucker however.

Thanks! I was wondering if it was that pic or the Obama pic that kept everyone away


Napoleon, you know we can't afford the fun pack! What, do you think money grows on trees in this family? Take it back! And get some Pampers for you and your brother while you're at it

yobtaf wrote: ↑ I told here we were safe, we had some nylon and mesh between us and them.

Great quote!

I really like camping at Cedar Glen, it's just enough walk from the parking lot to feel like you're getting somewhere. Plus avoiding the crowds is a bonus.
I've seen/heard deer every time I have stayed there.
Was the water flowing in the little stream down below Cedar Glen?

JeffH wrote: ↑

yobtaf wrote: ↑ I told here we were safe, we had some nylon and mesh between us and them.

Great quote!

I really like camping at Cedar Glen, it's just enough walk from the parking lot to feel like you're getting somewhere. Plus avoiding the crowds is a bonus.
I've seen/heard deer every time I have stayed there.
Was the water flowing in the little stream down below Cedar Glen?

here, her damn spell check

The water was flowing, slow but flowing

That's the one down side to Cedar Glen. In late summer the creek might be dry. If dry, it's ugly to schlep water up from Icehouse although not undoable.

HJ