Cucamonga Peak
(From Icehouse Canyon)
Quick Details:
DIFFICULTY: Challenging to Advanced
DISTANCE: ~ 11.5 miles (18.3km)…RT
TIME: ~ 7 hours
ELEVATION GAIN: ~ 4,229’ (1,288m)
(Not recommended for novice hikers)
A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking the Mt. Baldy Wilderness area, so it's important to RSVP for this trek so we can get an accurate head-count for additional parking passes.
Where to Meet Up
– Find us around the trail head at the end of the parking area, near the restrooms.
(see picture further down)
– Facilities:
– Restrooms are available at the parking lot and picnic area.
Parking:
– In Google Maps:
Look up: Icehouse Canyon Trailhead, Ice House Canyon Rd, Mt Baldy, CA 91759
You’ll need to display a National Forest Adventure Pass (or an America the Beautiful Pass) when parking
Parking fills up early on the weekends. If the parking area is full, there’s usually roadside parking outside the parking lot on Mt. Baldy Rd.
If you do park on the road, be sure to have you tires all the way off the road, and display your Adventure Pass. (They give tickets)
THE PLAN:
Plan for an all-day trek, with almost 4,200’ (1,280m) of elevation gain, Spectacular views from the summit at 8,859′ (2,700m)
PERMITS:
A Wilderness permit is required for all hikers entering the Cucamonga Wilderness area. There’s a simple permit to fill out by (one) member of the hiking party at the trailhead.
Ascent Route:
– Icehouse Canyon Trail
Descent Route:
– Out and Back the way we came
Digital re-enactment of this trek into the Cucamonga Wilderness
Digital data capture of this trek into the Cucamonga Wilderness all the way up to Cucamonga Peak.
Powered by ReLive and Suunto
What to Bring
Gear List:
Footwear:
– Well broken in trail runners or lightweight hiking boots (Trail runners work well on this trail) –
(sneakers may ok for this trail if the weather is clear)
– Light-weight to Mid-weight socks … (be familiar with the brand/style)
– Gators are ‘optional’
– (NO BRAND NEW FOOTWEAR)
Sun Protection:
– Hat (cap or wide brim hat) – Sunscreen (SPF 50+)
– Chapstick or Carmex
– Buff / Bandanna
– Sunglasses
Wind Protection:
– Beanie
– Belaclava (optional)
– Gloves
– Wind shell
Pocket Calories
– Trail treats… Things that can fit in your pockets but won’t melt:
– Energy Gels
– Starburst
– Tic Tacs
Clothing:
– Sports shirt (moisture wicking) … it will get sweaty
– Shorts or convertible hiking pants (summer)
– Base layer (capelene)
– Mid Layer
Be prepared for adverse weather. It can snow up here in the late summer!
Trekking Poles:
– Highly Recommended
Pack List:
Capacity/Size:
– 13 liters to 22 liters will be fine. (Larger packs for winter ascents)
Water:
– 1.5 liters
– Bring an EMPTY 1 liter bottle (like a Nalgene) or bladder (like a Platypus) which we will fill at the Columbine spring (3 miles in)
– Bring a FULL .5 liter (12oz bottle) or accessory bottle to drink along the way from the trailhead to the spring.
– A 32oz bottle of gatorade (full sugar) can take care of most your water and glucose needs. It’s just extra weight to bring from the bottom.
We will refill all the empty bottles at the spring and will carry the heaviest water load from there to the summit. This will give us enough for the complete descent regardless of our descent route.
Food:
– Bring a snack like an apple or a granola bar
– Bring a small lunch item like a wrap or sandwich
– (optional extras) like trail mix or cookies, something with high calories.
– Pack extra emergency glucose, like gels, glucose tabs, or candy that won’t melt in the heat.
Layers:
– Wind jacket
– Beanie
– Light gloves
– Mid-layer (anything with long sleeves will work, just nothing too bulky)
– Extra pair of socks (light weight)
Expect it to be windy and chilly at the summit.
We can add or subtract layers as needed.
Other Pack Essentials:
– Headlamp
– Batteries
– Knife
– Tylenol
– Antacid
– Camera
– TP
– Glucose meter + strips
– CGM backup
– Emergency insulin (in cooling pack like a frio) either pen or vial+syringe
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit (small)
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Charger+Cords
– GPS
– Map
– Emergency Blanket(s)
– Water Filter
– Emergency glucose
Other Notes:
Parking requires a National Forest Adventure Pass.
$5 for a day pass (these can be picked up in Forest Falls)
$30 for an annual pass (these can be purchased on-line, in town, at REI, at Adventure 16, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and most sporting goods stores in southern California)
On the weekends, Parking fills up pretty quick at the trailhead. If you arrive at the trailhead at 9am, you might be out of luck, however, theres usually more parking outside the parking lot on the road
Theres a restroom at the trailhead.
For more info or questions, email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com
Other Stuff:
LNT:
We will be traveling in a protected national forest ecosystem, so we will practice Minimal Impact Principles.
Whatever we pack in, we will be packing out.
Feel free to bring an extra ZipLoc bag for litter.
Leave rocks, trees, wildlife undisturbed.
Just in Case:
At least 1 person in the party will carry:
– First Aid Kit
– Blister Treatment
– Phone
– Map
– Headlamps
– Emergency blanket
– Emergency glucose
For more info or questions: email:
info@typeoneoutdoors.com