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 Reporter |
Summary: The scenery in the Cucamonga Wilderness is breathtaking. Without a doubt, it is the most wild in the San Gabriels. The terrain is steep, dry, rugged, and covered in chaparral. Big Horn Sheep still roam, I saw a buck, fresh tracks and droppings along the trail. At first, you may even begin to question whether this is a trail or not, as you cross a wash, it seems so overgrown that you can't fathom what later on parts may look like. Don't worry, it gets better, and if you have good trail sense, you should be fine. I never got lost, but I would suggest taking time to explore a bit when the trail gets sketchy, so your return will be smoother. Always look back at least. The views are top-notch. I could see the Sierras in the morning and Catalina on top at noon. If you look carefully, you can spot the Ski Hut on Baldy. This is a strenuous trip, but can be done fast. I also took the short trip up Etiwanda, well worth the extra effort. Trailhead: Half the fun is getting there. Take the 15 North exit Sierra Avenue and head Northwest on the road for about a mile and a half. You may almost miss the sign to San Sevaine Flats and Joe Elliot Campground. If you do turn around. Almost immediately this road climbs to command impressive views. It is very narrow, and anyone with a low clearance vehicle won't be able to go very far. You can make it to San Sevaine Flats in any car, but you'll add 4.5 miles to your trip one way, so prepare to be pooped. After the flats the road is impassable unless you have 4WD. Park past the campground and follow the road to the trail signs. The trail is not well maintained - you will lose it in more than a few spots, and you will want to wear long pants to protect your legs from the chaparral. Bring a topo and a GPS if you have one. If you have good trail sense you don't need one, I didn't. Still... (Lat:34.22274 Lon:-117.58539) Trail Guides for Cucamonga Peak from Joe Elliot Campground: Trails of the Angeles - 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: San Bernardino National Forest - Cajon Ranger District (909)887-2576 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 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by djw on 10/30/2007 I hike to Cucamonga Peak from the IceHouse Canyon Trail. There were beautiful views in both directions on the hike. IceHouse Trail to the Saddle was somewhat busy for a Tuesday. I passed 5 or 6 individuals and one group of 15 or so. After I passed the Saddle I saw no one. I didn't start until 10:30 but was back to the car well before dark. When you get to the Saddle (3.5mi) you have several choices from Mt. Baldy to Ontario Peak to Cucamonga Peak. The trail is well maintain, but after the first mile there is no available water. You will feel it in your calves after you finish. 
Reviewed by Daisuke Amon on 2/6/2007 Feb4 Superbowl Sunday warm but windy. Hiked via IceHouse. Ranger said no ice/snow that was true until the Saddle,wish we brought crampons.Started 623AM,IH Saddle 9AM.Summit Cucamonga Peak 12PM long time to negotiate very technical long stretches of ice on thin trail.Left summit 1PM, returned to IH Saddle 3PM, pking lot 4:45PM. Summit wind allowed for excellent 360 visibility, Downtown LA towers, Catalina, Mt San Jacinto Mt San Gorgornio east, entire Inland Empire below, Ontario Peak Big Horn peak west, Mt San Antonio Pk Baldy North-west, Three Ts Thunder Telegraph and Timber to the North. Because of Superbowl, it was not as busy. 5 druggee teens in the morning. 4 serious hikers near summit, lotsa old people at IH saddle.
Reviewed by BWC on 8/6/2006 Hiked 8/4-5/06 Spent the night at the peak, it was very cold and windy bring warm clothes, the view was incrediable you could see all of the high desert and the inland empire. Great trail but it is a workout. I took us 5 hours from the bottom with two snack breaks. just a little over 3 to return.
Reviewed by Lee on 7/10/2006 Hiked on 7/4/06; beautiful & cozy throughout trail.
Reviewed by Rodney OnDaRock on 6/10/2006 June 8 Thur, IH canyon to the saddle to cucamonga peak. some minor gnats near the creek in the AM, but in the PM on a warm day, insect repellent is not enough, get a mosquito head-net. beautiful and demanding as always. highlight: I spent 30 mins in the company of a Doe - a female deer. about 5 ft away, grazing, near the ruins with the rusty bedspring. found another clean water source past columbine spr. it's near the 3-mile marker GPS coordinates: N34.24068 W117.59916 the waterfall was running strong upstream. smoggy day at cucamonga peak still could see Saddleback san Jacinto double hump.
Reviewed by BLT on 9/12/2005 Yesterday I did Cucamonga Peak via popular Icehouse Canyon, though we saw few people past Icehouse Saddle. Spent some time watching clouds shoot over the saddle between Cucamonga and Bighorn Peaks like gas through a carburetor venturi. Great mountain-- just get there any way you can. Middle Fork (Lytle Creek) is also a possibility and probably much less crowded than Icehouse. Pack a jacket or you will be chilly.
Reviewed by A. Riedel on 5/7/2004 On a sad note, Joe Elliot campground was annihilated by the 2003 wildfires. I will check in on this trail sometime this summer.
Reviewed by A. Riedel on 9/23/2003 I forgot to mention that the gnats are incredibly thick at the lower levels. The Deet didn't work, bring a bug net for your face if you have one. This made the trip less enjoyable and not a 5 star hike. 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, San Bernardino County Hiking, San Bernardino County Trails, San Bernardino County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||