No summit log found on Cucamonga, and the clouds blocked a lot of the views. There is a use trail up Bighorn ridge from the Cucamonga-Bighorn saddle. Starts off steep, levels out, then gets steep again. A short way up, it splits into two faint use trails. One followed the ridge and the other was about 40 feet below the ridge. Both looked usable but I stuck to the ridge. The summit of Bighorn had a fresh summit log. It appears to have been started around July 1, 2013.
I descended from Bighorn on the trail toward Ontario. The trail stays on the Icehouse Canyon side of the rough ridge line, avoiding a lot of roller coaster action. The trail was nearly overgrown with bushes and weeds in several places. Worse, the bushes were filled with buzzing bees. I've never seen or heard so many bees. Ontario also had a fresh summit log, started June 24, 2013.
I returned form Ontario via Kelly Camp. Shortly before reaching Icehouse Canyon saddle, I saw two bighorns maybe 50 feet above the trail. There were a total of five that I saw, and more may have been a little ways up the hill.I thought they might run if I moved or made noise, but other than staring at me in curiosity, they were unconcerned. I was very much in awe of them. This encounter with a group of noble bighorn sheep was one of the best experiences I've had while hiking.
Full report:
http://ironhiker.blogspot.com/2013/07/c ... tario.html
Caves on Cucamonga trail
Down Cucamonga summit sign, "CMP=>" written on it, pointing the right way
Clouds and haze obscure the view
Starting up the Bighorn ridge
Looking down, part way up Bighorn ridge
Bighorn summit, with new summit log
Ontario Peak coming down from Bighorn
Nearly overgrown trail buzzing with bees
Ontario summit tree, log, and bottle opener(!)
Family of bighorn between Kelly Camp and Icehouse saddle
Staring contest
Grazing. Unconcerned with puny human.
