Etiwanda Peak via Cucamonga Peak Trail and Icehouse Canyon Trail
20.2 mi
Distance
9 hrs 3 min
Time
terrain
3,805 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult out and back trail to Etiwanda Peak in San Bernardino National Forest.
This trail goes by Icehouse Saddle, Cucamonga Peak, Columbine Spring, and Icehouse Canyon Trailhead.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
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 ....................................................................................................................................................................................... Solo hiked the 4 ECBO peaks (Etiwanda, Cucamonga, Bighorn, Ontario) from Icehouse Canyon on 11/4/22. Alpine start with 25-35 mph wind gusts from Icehouse Saddle to Cucamonga Saddle (not too bad). Some slippery ice/snow patches on the Cucamonga Peak Trail climbing out of Cucamonga Saddle (used micro spikes). Beautiful hike through the snow forest to Etiwanda Peak – lots of icicles and snow drifts. Although the trail to Etiwanda can be hard to follow in winter, I found it easy to pick up as the snow was not yet very deep and the brush bordering the winding trail was trimmed back evenly - nice to go from rocks onto cushioning snow for a while. After great views from Etiwanda Peak, the good trail conditions never changed on the trip up Cucamonga Peak. Views of the valley from Cucamonga Peak lived up to their reputation. Snow and ice disappeared for the remainder of the trip on the way back to Cucamonga Saddle. From the saddle, I did the south-southeast climb straight up Bighorn Peak for 800 feet - a real leg burner as others have said (topo contours warned of the fun in store). When you’re on Bighorn Peak staring at Ontario, last of the four summits to ascend, it’s a little intimidating but Bighorn Peak to Ontario Peak seemed like the easiest climbing leg, just several trees to hop over and a few icy spots. The trip back to Icehouse Saddle from Ontario is a nice trail that lets you recover, taking you through Kelly Camp. Coming down to the trailhead from Icehouse Saddle was a scenic cruise with the fall colors and shady stream spots. Recorded 19 miles with a few side view spot excursions and 9-10 hours moving. Definitely recommend the ECBO trek – the trails are in good condition and take you through some beautiful, ever changing forest areas. Just wished I would have seen the usual herd of bighorn sheep!
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