Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Canyon

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Enjoy an out-and-back run to one of the popular peaks in the area.

Adventure Pass required to park at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead.

This run begins at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead just beyond Mt. Baldy Village. Permits are required, but are self-serve and available at the trailhead.

The Icehouse Canyon Trail #7W07A works its way into the canyon along Icehouse Creek. The parking lot at the trailhead is a decent size, but is not big enough to handle typical weekend use. An adventure pass is required to park in the area. If you are planning a weekend trip, I would recommend showing up early.

Icehouse Saddle makes a good place to rest before the second half of this run. There are five separate trails that intersect at Icehouse Saddle, so make sure you find the right trail before moving on. You want to look for the Cucamonga Peak Trail #7W04 signage.

From the saddle to the peak is only 2.4 miles. The trail heads south until reaching the slopes of Cucamonga Peak. The north face of Cucamonga can hold snow much later in the year than other trails in the area. Depending on the trail conditions and season, microspikes may be required on the north face. At the high point on the trail, turn right on the Cucamonga Peak Spur and follow it 0.1 miles to the summit.

Once at the peak, you'll be rewarded with spanning views of the surrounding mountain ranges and, depending on air quality, the cities below. The return run follows the same route back to the trailhead.

Oaks, maple, alder and bigcone spruce are found at the lower part of the trip while Jeffrey, sugar and lodpole pines offer occasional shade on the higher slopes. Watch for columbines and scarlet monkeyflowers around the springs. Bighorn sheep can sometimes be seen when there aren't too many people around.