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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 2 of 10 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by NewHiker on 5/19/2009 Hiked on a Sunday. While there were some people, it was not crowded. Parts of the trail are narrow, so you will have to stop to let people pass. It was 90 degrees in the parking lot when we finished our day hike. 70% of the trail is in the shade of the trees and at the top there is a nice breaze. There was still a little snow left near the top. Stop at the Visitor's Center in Mt. Baldy on your way to the trailhead. Purchase your parking pass $5 and get your Wilderness Permit (Free). The trail head starts 1.5 miles past the Visitor's Center.
Reviewed by FlipNese on 4/21/2009 Went hiking here today and enjoyed ourselves. Took our two small dogs who did the hike better than us! Weather was great and the stream was running, dogs absolutely loved the ice cold water. We decided not to proceed to Icehouse Saddle and instead turned around when we reached Cucamonga Wilderness marker. The hike there alone was a good enough workout for us and the dogs. Next time we plan to hike up Cedar Glen trail, which is another option to take as your hiking (there will be a sign to direct you).
Reviewed by Kahunawood on 4/11/2009 Misty and very chilly at the saddle. About 50 people on this Saturday. Decided to come back way of Cedar Glen trail which added 2.5 miles. Ice and snow made portions precarious. Roundtrip in 3:50. Looking forward to another time when better visability. 
Reviewed by Bahamut on 2/7/2009 This is an Awsome Trail,Go on a weekday if you can. dont forget to take a drink of fresh water from Columbine Spring.
Reviewed by BAX229 on 1/29/2009 Hiked on Thursday this week. Rather icy and very windy toward to saddle. The only real wind break I could find was a fallen log. Did not need crampons or ax. Although, if you go further and higher than the saddle, I would recommend them. Only passed about 8 people the whole trail. Round trip with lunch in 4 hours. Just a note: For people that have to take their dogs off leash on one of the busiest trails in the San Gabriels, DON'T. Use your head and read the sign.
Reviewed by Koji Kabuto on 1/7/2009 Monday Jan 5, 7am parking lot empty, first one there. trail iced frozen from the start. After 30 mins of careful steps, I broke out the crampons and walked with confidence and speed. Ran into 3 teenagers in shorts, Vans shoes, no water, map or any winter gear, aiming for cucamonga peak. I had a sad feeling they will be needing a rescue. The previous weekend's stampede had blazed various unofficial trails through the snow banks, which froze over in the center. beautiful scenery for photos. I turned around by mile marker-2, since I figured by 11AM it would be a busy cafeteria at the IH saddle, and that would buzzkill my solitude. Hiked this one solo, since my usual hiking buddy was recently relieved of his man sac through matrimony.
Reviewed by mp on 12/4/2008 love to take the dogs here...
Reviewed by zero on 10/8/2008 I went on Tuesday morning/early afternoon and only saw four or five other hiking parties. Weather was PERFECT even at high noon, especialy compared to the 102 degree temps at my house, and the creek was warm and burbly. Only problem was the vast amount of dog feces EVERYWHERE. If for some reason you can't pick up after your dog, can you at least bury it to avoid the swarms of flies, smell, and bacteria??? 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||