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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a good hike. It is perfect for a quick half day, or just a short little outing. Even during the winter, if the snow is light, and you are itching for the high country, you can trek up to the saddle if you are careful on the ice. The trail itself follows a lovely stream for more than 2 miles, and by the tme the creek views end, you are already gaining high country vistas, pine forest and upward glances at Baldy, Bighorn and Ontario Peak. I am particularly jealous of the cabin owners along the first mile of the path. This is a good training hike for more strenuous outdoor activity. You can bring along young people and see how well they respond. It's perfect if you're building strength for longer journeys. Or, if you just want a nice place to hang out, pick a spot. You can also just turn around when you tire. The only problem with this trail is the overuse, I saw 58 people on my winter outing, and for some reason, that doesn't seem like wilderness to me. Trailhead: Take the 60,10, or 210 to Mountain Avenue in Upland/Ontario, exit and travel north (head toward the mountains, you can't miss them.) Follow Mountain as it turns from a monster business avenue into a residental road. It will veer to the left and join Euclid, follow the curve. Stay on this road until you come to Mt. Baldy Road, here you will need to make a right. Follow it past the Trout Pond, and look for the sign for Icehouse Canyon. Continue straight to the parking lot. From the main road you actually make a right turn, but you head straight in. Park in the huge lot - this trail gets LOTS of usage - too much in my opinion. (Lat:34.23899 Lon:-117.59435) Trail Guides for Icehouse Canyon to Icehouse Saddle: Trails of the Angeles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) California Hiking by Tom Sinestra and Ann Marie Brown (Avalon Travel) Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Horses, Ranger Contact: Angeles National Forest (909) 982-2829 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Allen Riedel, who has posted 123 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Page 1 of 13 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by J.P. on 3/5/2012 We had no problem parking at 9 AM on Sunday 3/4/12, and found very few fellow hikers on the trail up to the Saddle. This was an unseasonably hot weekend at the end of a very dry winter. We didn't encounter much ice, but there were some slushy areas which presumably will be icy again in colder weather. We took the Chapman Trail down, but were a little sorry, because parts of it are narrow and cliff-hugging, and there was enough snow to make us nervous. (Most of our experience has been on the hotter, drier coastal trails.) Our little group of fifty year olds didn't find this trail as strenuous as other posters have suggested, and all in all we had a great day. 
Reviewed by AdiosJerrySchad on 9/23/2011 A decade before LocalHikes, I got a hiking book by Jerry Schad, and this was the first trail I had gone solo, yet I felt prepared because of Jerry Schad's book. Today I read that he passed on. RIP, and gratitude. To Allen Riedel - I also have tons of your books, keep up the great work, thank you also for giving me confidence on the trail and wish you the best.
Reviewed by Breabonnie on 8/12/2011 Friday no problem parking. (Don't forget your parking pass) Still lots of water flowing into the cascades and pools you enjoy near the beginning. Pretty orange and yellow flowers grow in the along the trail shade here. Yes, some shade on this hike, but right now you will need a hat and/or sunscreen too. Bring small lunch or trail bars and 4 standard size water bottles at a minimum(16.9 ounce bottles) in a carry pack if you are a walking hiker. The trail is rocky and can cause a slip-hiking shoes recommended with good tread. A walking stick is also nice for balance on the way back down or lean on when going up if needed. Trees still a lovely green. Great cardio training hike before doing Devil's backbone. No cel phone signal here.
Reviewed by t.s. on 6/25/2011 Beautiful hike up Icehouse Canyon this morning but the parking lot was near full at 7 AM already. A lot of people on the trail. Those two factors aside, great trail and amazing scenery. Its very strenuous hiking up though FYI.
Reviewed by Paul on 6/4/2011 Hiked this June 2 in the late afternoon. Left at 4:30 pm and saw quite a few people on the way up. Hit the Saddle in just under two hours. Chilly and windy at the the top. Bring a jacket. Back down in 1:20. Perfect late afternoon hike. Next time I am going to the Cucamonga. Great quick training hike.
Reviewed by Alan on 5/29/2011 This hike is good for beginners and experienced hikers. The trail is clear of snow all the way to the saddle. If you like peace and quiet, do it on a weekday.
Reviewed by MA on 5/15/2011 Did this hike today. Nice beautiful day and a beautiful hike. Lots of views, creek and fellow hikers. Can't believe there is still snow up there! Its middle of May!! The wind was cold and hard. About 2 inches of snow at the saddle. Overall very nice. Would love to go back.
Reviewed by Roo on 1/30/2011 Need to echo ApL's comment. Proper equipment, knowledge, and sense are a must for this hike in winter. Many idiots without any of the above do it anyway, but please, please don't. Particularly the Chapman (Cedar Glen) route can be treacherous. Don't even think about it unless you have crampons, ice axe, and know how to use them (self arrest). All this said, it's a beautiful hike. Just use good sense. Aloha. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
