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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 10 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Sean on 3/8/2010 Error: Reserved Word Found: --
Reviewed by Chris Larson on 1/7/2010 01/02/2010 - Hiked to the saddle in non hiking shoes which made for interesting footing. Heavy traffic in lower canyon, limited traffic in the high country. Was a strenuous hike for me as an amatuer from Florida. Specatcular views and worth the trek up. Got a few high quality snapshots and a personal snap of my brother and I in the saddle. Great Hike!!!
Reviewed by DLMK on 12/29/2009 Hiked on 12/28/09. Sunny day with some light cloud cover. Great hike, but slick due to snow cover as you approach the saddle (snow packed & icy at top). Crowded near beginning of trail, then thinned out past half way point.
Reviewed by Jeff on 11/28/2009 Did this hike yesterday and continued another mile to Timber Mtn. summit (well worth it, much better views). This is a great hike with lots of beautiful alpine scenery, although as previously reviewed-quite crowded (yes, it's expected the day after Thanksgiving). However, the crowds thin out about 2/3 of the way to the saddle. It's a very steady climb from the pkg lot, nothing very steep. The trail was in great condition. I definitely recommend doing this prior to any major snowfall as some areas would be pretty sketchy in snow/ice (w/out crampons). Definitely one to put on your list of locals. 
Reviewed by Jennifer on 10/11/2009 I have hiked in Mt Baldy before but I had no idea this hike would be so green and beautiful in October! My husband and our golden retriever did very well on the hike but our big dog Sherwin got too tired when we were about .8 miles from the saddle. The weather was perfect and the trail was very interesting with colorful trees and flowers and rock formations. There were a lot of people on the trail but we had a great time. Best hike in Baldy so far.
Reviewed by Matti on 7/21/2009 Went up through Icehouse Canyon to the Saddle, and then on up to Timber Peak yesterday 7/20. It was pretty warm in the sun, but cool in the shade and there was often a nice breeze blowing through. Saw probably 15-20 other hikers. The trail is in great condition, almost impossible to lose, and the signage is excellent as well. So many options from the saddle, I'll definitely be doing this one many more times. Great hike to escape the heat!
Reviewed by AstrosFan on 7/19/2009 Have taken the trail a few times in the last two months and now with time and two friends we made it to the SADDLE! Great hike still feeling the pain in the legs day after! What great views and feeling of accomplishment. Meeting the nice people on trail part of the great experience! GO do it! I WILL again! 
Reviewed by Koger on 7/19/2009 Hiked on Friday 7/17/09. My buddy and I hit the trail at 7am after picking up our wilderness permit that was waiting for us at the visitor's center (call in the day before). This hike is definitely a butt kicker. First mile takes you over some little streams and some pretty rocky terrain. Once you enter the Cucamonga Wilderness, the landscape and trail changes, and you really start your climb. At one point after the two mile mark, you can see Mt Baldy. That's really the only stunning visual on the trail. Sadly, we didn't see any Bighorns, but we thought we definitely heard one. The saddle itself wasn't that impressive. The hike down was fairly easy but still a killer on the knees. The flies were definitely out. Total time was 4 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||