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Cucamonga Peak

based on 749 tracks & routes #327 hike out of 461 in
12.6 mi
Distance
5 hrs 26 min
Time
terrain
3,845 ft
Elev Gain

Overview

This is a difficult one way trail in Cucamonga Wilderness.

This trail goes by Icehouse Saddle, Cucamonga Peak, and Columbine Spring.

This peak is often the end of a moderate out/back hike that is about 5.6 miles one-way. The most common hike route starts at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead. The first 3.6 miles follows the Icehouse Canyon trail, which is a heavily trafficked route to Icehouse Saddle (34.2391, -117.5945). Continuing on beyond the saddle leads to a trail along the eastern side of Bighorn Peak to Cucamonga Saddle and then up the switchbacks heading up the north face of Cucamonga Peak. Be careful to look for the final turn at the junction of the peak trail with the main trail that continues on to Etiwanda Peak. There is no good marker there, but it is at the bottom of a small gully after the last switchback and you are heading east. The junction is just after a slight downhill. The Peak offers a wonderful view of the Los Angeles basin, and is a popular destination for day-hikers as well as the occasional backpacker who will spend the night near the peak. The most popular place to take pictures is on a rock on a sub-peak a little to the west of the main peak (about 300’).

Take care in the area, rattlesnakes do live among the rocks near the peak.

This peak is also often done in conjunction with Etiwanda Peak. More challenging hikes including this is the ECBO (Etiwanda, Cucamonga, Bighorn, and Ontario) all in one long hike that includes a use trail between Cucamonga and Etiwanda, and a use trail between Bighorn and the Cucamonga Saddle. Even more adventurous hikers include this on the Fool’s Traverse, which includes 11 peaks in the area, which is recommended only for experienced hikers with a plan for resupply of water along the route.

Getting Started

Parking for the closest trailhead is at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead. The lot is small and fills quickly on popular days. Most people will wind up parking along the Mt. Baldy Road and walking. Alternate routes starts at the Baldy Notch and comes along the Three Ts Trail or the Middle Fork Lytle Creek Trail.

Taking Children

There are several spots south of Icehouse Saddle that can be a little challenging for children due to large steps up some steep sections, but this is still Class 1 terrain with a few sections that are Class 2. Children of 8 years old are often seen on this this peak. I would rate this as a 6/10 for children. Views of the LA Basin are interesting, as is the Columbine Spring.


    Rate this Hike

    user_profile
    3 months, 1 week ago
    Solo hiked Thurs 8/8/2024 – Cucamonga-Icehouse-Etiwanda-8386-Alta Loma peaks. Trail out to Cucamonga Peak was in good shape except for the scree slide area where it traverses the east side of Bighorn. This section is totally doable, just requiring a little extra focus on foot placement unless you’re up for scree skiing. From Cucamonga Peak to the wilderness border near Alta Loma, the trail will get you there with some cairns/ducks marking the more obscured parts where using gps really helps. Some scree slide areas here as well. Recommend leaving the trail right at the Cucamonga/SB Forest border to start the direct descent to the Alta Loma Saddle, followed by the direct ascent up Alta Loma. First time hitting Icehouse, 8386 and Alta Loma Peaks, all worth climbing up. Etiwanda & Alta Loma were the only peaks with registers. Very nice weather but much warmer than forecasted. Last water source going up is Columbine Spring which is trailside, 2.4 miles from the trail head (34.24326, -117.60459) and flowing nicely right now. I carried and finished 5L water and 2 half liters of electrolyte for this trek but would have taken a 2.5 - 3L bladder for just doing an out and back to Cucamonga Peak. Took frequent breaks in the shade for the Alta Loma leg and never felt too hot. Views off the peaks were awesome and coming back down Icehouse Canyon in the afternoon was as beautiful as ever. Occasionally ran into bug swarms the entire way, almost putting on a head net a few times but just spit out several and relied on insect repellent. Filtered a few liters from Icehouse Creek on the way out to enjoy on the weekend. Really glad the Forest Service reopened Baldy/Icehouse-good decision.Logged 18.8 miles / 6002 vertical ft with Gaia
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    user_profile
    1 year, 4 months ago
    My wife and I’s first real hiking adventure. Only saw a few other hikers total. Still enough snow in early June ‘23 to hide the trail near the top. About 7 hours round trip. Awesome.
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    user_profile
    3 years, 9 months ago
    The scenery is otherworldly. The streams, greenery, rock, etc. Moreover, the landscape itself changes as you continue to summit. The view at the top is worth the strife. Highly recommend, even if you’re just doing a mile in.
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    user_profile
    3 years, 11 months ago
    Great hike all round 👍
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    user_profile
    4 years, 3 months ago
    Cucamonga Peak via Icehouse Saddle. About 25%-35% shaded. Creek water was clear but had a faint sewer smell. The view on top was breathtaking overlooking the urban grids. View from the Peak is magical at night! Descending took 2 hours 47 mins while Ascending took an hour more. Give yourself 8 hours minimum to Summit and return.
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    user_profile
    4 years, 5 months ago
    This is a beautiful hike. Disappointingly crowded with hikers who don't know wilderness or trail etiquette. Please remember that the wilderness is here for everyone to enjoy, and be respectful of it. 1) Listening to music on a wilderness hike only serves to stress wildlife. 2) Right of way always goes to the uphill trekker. Happy trails!
    ★ ★ ★

    user_profile stars
    4 years, 5 months ago
    Leave early in the day, preferably well before 7 am to avoid the heat of the day. Remember that a self-issue wilderness permit (available at the trailhead) is required for Cucamonga Wilderness. Route is very steep in sections, and not a typical grade for a trail in this area. Some sections of the trail close to the summit have small rockslides on them — be careful crossing these sections. PLEASE don’t cut switchbacks and take your trash with you. Thanks!
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    user_profile
    4 years, 5 months ago
    6/4/20 We start 7 Am,Me n my wife, we get back by 5 Pm, it's very challenging, is lot of rocks, hot day, but it's very rewarding.
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    user_profile
    5 years, 4 months ago
    Started at 6am, forgot to hit record until an hour in so this hike is actually 7hrs, 12miles. We also took a slight detour near Cucamonga Canyon area. Overall this trail currently in the Summer is easy. There are some steep bits, and some narrow trail areas but overall straight forward. Trail is much more challenging/fun in Winter.
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Public Tracks

user_profile
jessehmorrison 6 years, 7 months ago
Icehouse Canyon to Cucamonga Peak
Pretty hard hike. Almost all up hill. Have to check if this was the 6 Pack method to the peak.
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Matthew 5 years, 3 months ago
Cucamonga Peak Trail
20 Ice House Canyon Rd TO Cucamonga Peak Trail
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Henry 2 years ago
Cucamonga Peak 11/6/22 7:32:12 AM
Recorded using Gaia GPS app.
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yyu6788 4 years, 3 months ago
Cucamonga peak (8/7/20, 7:32:31AM)
Hike with Liebling and Doris
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DaBeast 6 years, 10 months ago
Icehouse to Cucamonga & Etiwanda
Only showing 1/2 the trip.
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Yumi 4 years, 4 months ago
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larryhikes17 5 years, 6 months ago
Track (5/3/19, 7:12:08AM)
5/3/2019 - Timber
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