3.3 hr
Overview
If the parking lot at the trailhead is full, park along Mt. Baldy Road (be respectful of private property/driveways along here). There are vault toilets and trash cans in the parking lot for last-minute needs. Sign-in to the trail registry if required. <br><br>The Icehouse Canyon Trail is wide and flat for the first 0.5 miles or so as it rises gently along the stream. The surface is generally even with sections of stone steps. You pass several little cabins along the stream (again, respect the private property here). In this section, you'll notice small but very pretty waterfalls intermittently in the stream but different sections flow at different times of the year so waterfalls are not consistent. <br><br>At 0.9 miles there is a junction with the Chapman Trail #7W07 (left fork). About 1.5 miles up from the trailhead, you encounter the Cucamonga Wilderness boundary and associated signage. This also marks the transition into a rockier section of the trail as it follows a scree/dry riverbed section of the canyon floor. There are remarkable geological features along this portion. Try to watch the trail, especially on the way up, as it's easy to lose it on parts of the riverbed if you're watching the amazing scenery. <br><br>Just over two miles in, the trail begins to rise in earnest toward Icehouse Saddle from the canyon floor. The best way to describe this section is a classic lovely mountain trail. It's dusty and narrow with amazing specimen of pine and fir trees and occasionally steep switchbacks. <br><br>After 2.8 miles there is another junction with the Chapman Trail #7W07. Bear right and continue east toward the summit of this trail, Icehouse Saddle. The last section is also rising switchbacks and the ecology changes to manzanita stands and open pockets of forest floor. This will take you up to the saddle, which then splits into a network of other trails out into the Cucamonga Wilderness. This is a great place to stop and enjoy the cool breezes and lovely scenery.
Trail Stats
5.6 km
784 m
2309 m
1527 m
—
Photos
Sign at Icehouse Saddle showing potential links and spur trails.
Sign at Icehouse Saddle showing potential links and spur trails.
Entry sign at the trailhead, with a brief overview of the historical characteristics of the site.
Entry sign at the trailhead, with a brief overview of the historical characteristics of the site.
I don't know the story behind these charming cabins along the trail, but they really are delightful!
I don't know the story behind these charming cabins along the trail, but they really are delightful!
Open pine stands with stands of scrub and steep switchbacks - I have seen bighorn sheep up here but usually it's lizards and squirrels.
Open pine stands with stands of scrub and steep switchbacks - I have seen bighorn sheep up here but usually it's lizards and squirrels.
Columbine Spring, Icehouse Canyon Trail
Columbine Spring, Icehouse Canyon Trail
Randy by the sign
Randy by the sign
Sign clearly marking the beginning of the Cucamonga Wilderness.
Sign clearly marking the beginning of the Cucamonga Wilderness.
Sections of the trail at this point can be slick due to water seeping out of the uphill side and flowing across and down to the riverbed.
Sections of the trail at this point can be slick due to water seeping out of the uphill side and flowing across and down to the riverbed.
This is the point where Chapman Trail branches off to the left.
This is the point where Chapman Trail branches off to the left.
Icehouse Canyon early morning
Icehouse Canyon early morning
Don't cut the switchbacks!
Don't cut the switchbacks!
Some of the neat ruins along the lower portion of the Icehouse Canyon Trail.
Some of the neat ruins along the lower portion of the Icehouse Canyon Trail.
The trail rises rapidly up the mountainside off the canyon floor through this section.
The trail rises rapidly up the mountainside off the canyon floor through this section.
Nelson bighorn sheep near Icehouse Saddle
Nelson bighorn sheep near Icehouse Saddle
The first segment of the trail is very flat and accessible as it runs along the creek.
The first segment of the trail is very flat and accessible as it runs along the creek.
Climbing up the Ice Canyon Trail presents some good views.
Climbing up the Ice Canyon Trail presents some good views.
Trail view of the fog rolling into the canyon on Icehouse
Trail view of the fog rolling into the canyon on Icehouse
On the ascent up Icehouse Canyon
On the ascent up Icehouse Canyon
Large group of scouts headed up for an overnight - very polite hikers!
Large group of scouts headed up for an overnight - very polite hikers!
Spring colors are beautiful along the riverbed. The different ecologies along this hike are one of its strongest features.
Spring colors are beautiful along the riverbed. The different ecologies along this hike are one of its strongest features.
Keep an eye on the trail in this section - it's less clear on the way up, so if you're (understandably) distracted by the scenery, then you might find yourself off in the riverbed and not on the trail.
Keep an eye on the trail in this section - it's less clear on the way up, so if you're (understandably) distracted by the scenery, then you might find yourself off in the riverbed and not on the trail.