Icehouse Canyon to Timber Mountain Day Hike
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Start time: 7:30 A.M. Meeting Place: Trailhead near the restrooms.
Details: Moderate – 9.0 miles – 3355 ft gain/loss – Trail: Icehouse Canyon
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The scenery is stunning. Precipitous canyon walls rise steeply into the blue sky. Soaring peaks and ridges contour the skyline. Huge boulders dot the canyon bottom. A year-around creek provides a delightful soundtrack. Majestic fir, pine, and cedar reach to the sky while alder, oak and sycamore fill out a shady canopy in places. Snow can linger in shadowy recesses long into the spring and early summer. Old cabins and cabin ruins sprinkled along the lower canyon remind hikers of a simpler yesteryear.
The V-shaped canyon starts at Icehouse Canyon above Baldy Village and extends east a mile and a half and 2600 feet to Icehouse Saddle, a conspicuous notch in the Telegraph-Ontario Ridge. The classic, hand-built trail provides a portal for a web of trails which extend deep into the magnificent high country. The upper half of the trail lies within the Cucamonga Wilderness, a 12,781-acre sanctuary set aside by federal law to remain pristine and wild. From the saddle to the top of Timber Mountain is another 700 feet and roughly 1 mile. For those not wishing to go on to the peak, the saddle provides a nice resting and waiting place. Returning back to the trail head, we have the option of taking the Chapman Trail, which adds one additional mile to the trip, making the entire trip about 10 miles.
Getting to the Trailhead:
From the 210 Freeway extension, driving east: Exit Baseline Road in Claremont. Turn left on Baseline. In one block turn right onto Padua Avenue. In 1.7 miles turn right onto Mt. Baldy Road (stop sign). After 7.2 miles you pass the Angles National Forest Mt. Baldy Visitor Center in Mt. Baldy Village. Continue 1.5 miles to the Icehouse Canyon entrance. Veer right and park in the large parking area.
From the 210 Freeway extension,driving west:In Upland, exit Mountain Ave./Mt. Baldy Exit, Exit 54. Turn right and proceed north on Mountain Ave. Drive 5 miles to Mt. Baldy Road. Turn right (north) and after 5 miles you pass the Angles National Forest Mt. Baldy Visitor Center in Mt. Baldy Village. Continue 1.5 miles to the Icehouse Canyon entrance. Veer right and park in the large parking area.
The trail starts at the east end of the large parking lot, just to the right of the ruins to the old Ice House Canyon Resort. A National Forest Adventure Passor a National Parks Passis required for parking.You will need to obtain this before April 27, as the Mount Baldy Visitor Center will be closed when we start. Here is a link to locations that sell the pass.
The parking lot can get full on weekends. You should bring your ten essentials (listed here), a day pack, water (2 liters), trekking poles, sunscreen, hat, trail snacks, lunch, and plan on wearing hiking boots or shoes (preferably waterproof), as well as cold weather clothing. Carpooling is recommended to help reduce gas cost and parking. There is NO FEE for this trip.
Contact: If you have any questions about this event, please email our VPO - here.
