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| Looking down Icehouse Canyon from just above Icehouse saddle |
Icehouse Canyon is a very popular hike in the Angeles National Forest, not far from Mt. Baldy. Apparently this hike is very busy on weekends during the summer, although the crowds thin out the farther up you go. On this particular Wednesday morning we encountered only a dozen or so people the entire time. The hike to Icehouse saddle is about 3.5 miles each way. From the saddle it is another .9 miles to reach the summit of Timber Mountain, just north of the saddle. This hike is pretty strenuous as you constantly gain elevation over the course of the hike. Our total elevation gain for the hike was 3,303 feet, making this by far the most elevation gain I've done to date.
History
Back in 1858 someone began cutting ice in this area to sell down the hill in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, hence the name. The first mining claim for the area was made in 1892. In 1921, a man named Clarence Chapman built the Icehouse Canyon Lodge, the remnants of which can still be seen next to the trailhead parking lot. This lodge was a popular getaway for celebrities for 50 years. It burned down in 1988 according to this
LA Times article. At the time, rumors circulated that the owner was seen with a gas can near the property just before the fire.
The Hike
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| An early section of the trail |
My friend, Jeremy, and I reached the trailhead just before 9:15 am on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 after stopping at the visitor center in Mt. Baldy to obtain the required wilderness permit (available for free) needed for this hike since it enters the Cucamonga Wilderness Area. An Adventure Pass is also required to park at the trailhead. At the center, we were informed that wilderness permits were now available from a box right at the trailhead. After filling out the required information on the pass Jeremy and I were on our way. The first 1.5 miles or so follows a stream through the bottom of the canyon providing a nice soundtrack to the hike. The trail is also very well shaded at this point. This lower section of the hike is dotted with cabins still in use and the remains of cabins from days past.
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| One of several abandoned cabins along the trail |
Just before the 2 mile mark, the canyon follows, and eventually crosses, a very rocky riverbed. I was thankful I had good hiking shoes and my trekking poles for this section. As we continued on the trail became more exposed to the sun and eventually turned into a series of switchbacks. After powering through the switchbacks, Jeremy and I finally reached the saddle where we relaxed on a fallen tree for a while, ate, and caught our breath. While sitting I noticed a sign saying the peak of Timber Mountain was only .9 miles away. Why come all this way (3.5 miles so far) and not bag a peak less than a mile away? We reloaded our packs and headed for the summit. This next stretch was a toughest part of the hike. We followed a series of switchbacks for about .65 miles until we reached a clearing and a sign pointing us to the right to reach the summit of Timber Mountain. This last 1/4 mile was grueling, partly because it was the steepest section of the hike, partly because we could see the summit the whole time, and partly because we had already gone over 4 miles uphill. When we reached the summit we realized it was all worth it. We took in great views of Mt. Baldy and Icehouse Canyon to the east, Bighorn and Cucamonga Peaks to the south, and the high desert to the north.
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| At the summit |
We spent quite a bit of time at the summit enjoying the scenery. Once ready we headed back down, not knowing we were about to encounter something truly awesome. As we approached the junction with the main trail back to the saddle Jeremy turned to me and said, "Dude, look at that! Get your camera." Less than 100 feet from us, just south of the trail, was a majestic bighorn sheep grazing on what little plant life was around!
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| Bighorn sheep |
Once he noticed us he locked his gaze upon us but was obviously not going to give up his ground. He turned and followed the trail which brought us within 40 feet or so of this amazing animal. After taking several pictures, we continued down the trail, keeping one eye over our shoulder in case our new friend wanted to get closer to us. Back at the saddle we stopped and talked to a hiker who hiked this area a lot. After telling him about the bighorn he told us he hadn't seen one in this area for almost 20 years. Jeremy and I returned to the car, having completed one of my most memorable hikes yet.
Info and Stats
- Passes required: Adventure Pass (to park at the trailhead) and a wilderness pass (available at the trailhead)
- Total distance: 9.19 miles
- Total elevation: 3,303 feet
- Total time: 5 hours, 9 minutes
Getting There
The trailhead is located about 1.5 miles north of the city of Mt. Baldy on Icehouse Canyon Rd. The parking lot is on your left, just after turning onto Icehouse Canyon Rd.
From 210W: Exit the 210 at Mountain Ave. and go north (right). After 4 miles Mountain becomes Shinn Rd. In another .2 miles, make a sharp right on Mt. Baldy Rd. In another 6.4 miles, take Icehouse Canyon Rd. to the right and park in the large lot on your left. The trailhead is at the easternmost corner of the lot.
From 210E: Exit the 210 on Baseline Rd. Turn left onto Baseline, then take the first left onto Padua Rd.In 1.8 miles, turn right on Mt. Baldy Rd. Follow Mt. Baldy Rd. for 8.8 miles, then make a slight right on Icehouse Canyon Rd. and park in the large lot on your left. The trailhead is at the easternmost corner of the lot.
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