Trail Map of Bighorn Peak and Ontario Peak

An intense dayhike or moderate backpack in the Cucamonga Wilderness.

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Overview

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by modernhiker

(5 votes)

Viewed 17,455 times

Difficult: 13.6 miles, Full day

Overview: A nearly-14 mile in-and-out that hits two of the tallest, most prominent peaks in the Angeles National Forest. Beginning with the historic, alpine brook that runs through Icehouse Canyon, this trail climbs through picturesque pine and cedar to Icehouse Saddle before visiting the site of an old trail resort and ascending a long ridge between the two peaks. A truly magnificent and rewarding hike, with great views of the Baldy Bowl for almost the entire route. Highly, highly recommended.

Tips: You will need a National Forest Adventure Pass to park at the Trailhead, and you will also need a Wilderness Permit to continue into the Cucamonga Wilderness. Depending on your plans, you may also wish to pick up a stove permit as well.

The Parking Passes are $5 for a day or $30 for a year, and the wilderness and stove permits are free. All can be picked up at the Mount Baldy Visitor Center:

Mt. Baldy Road
Mt. Baldy, CA 91759
(909) 982-2829
Daily 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

Trailhead

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Arrive at the trailhead to Icehouse Canyon, at the end of Icehouse Canyon Road.

This parking lot is notoriously crowded on weekends, often spilling over onto the nearby streets. If you're doing this as a day hike, try to get here as early as possible. If you're backpacking, you may also have better luck waiting until late morning / early afternoon.

Look for the gate on the eastern edge of the parking lot and walk past the ruins of an old resort. Continue east along Icehouse Canyon Creek, passing the ruins of old cabins (and several occupied ones, too!).

Crowds can be an issue on this trail. If you have time to kill, consider leaving the trail and boulder-hopping along the creek - just watch out for stinging nettle.

R0013094 (Dells (historical), California, United States) Photo

Chapman Trail Jct

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At 0.9 miles, stay to the right at the 3-way junction with the Chapman Trail and continue on the Icehouse Canyon Trail.

The Chapman Trail will eventually get to Icehouse Saddle, too - but it will add 1.8 miles to your distance each way and isn't nearly as picturesque as the Icehouse Trail.

R0013101 (Dells (historical), California, United States) Photo

Up the Stairs (Dells (historical), California, United States) Photo

Last H2o

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This is the last place you will cross the Icehouse Canyon Creek in dry months, and will be the last water available until Columbine Spring.

Wilderness Boundary

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Here, you will leave the Angeles National Forest and enter the Cucamonga Wilderness.

You need to have a free Wilderness Permit to continue beyond this boundary, and may be cited if a ranger asks to see yours and you don't have it. This area also has additional restrictions for food, noise, dogs, and stoves.

Ooops, no permit. Great excuse to have a snack and call it a day! (Dells (historical), California, United States) Photo

Mile 2 Marker

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Here, pass a small metal marker for Mile 2 of the trail.

At this point, the trail leaves the boulder-strewn canyon and begins a series of relentless and steep switchbacks to Icehouse Saddle. Over the next 1.9 miles, the trail gains 1649 feet.

Columbine Spring

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Columbine Spring is a year-round, free-flowing spring just below the main trail.

Depending on the time of year and the amount of rainfall, there may be an active spring in Kelly Camp. Otherwise, this is your last dependable source of water on the trail.

2nd Junction w Chapman Trail

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Keep to the right at this 3-way junction to remain on the Icehouse Canyon Trail.

Icehouse Saddle

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Reach Icehouse Saddle (el. 7555 ft), a clear saddle with multiple junctions and a near-persistent breeze.

This is often a very crowded area, but it's also where most of the hikers you've seen so far will eat their lunches and turn around. If you continue on the trail in any direction from here, you'll most likely have the trail to yourself.

From the Saddle, ou can tack on 1.8 miles round trip to hit Timber Mountain, 4.8 to tackle Cucamonga Peak, or continue even further east. For this trip, walk a few yards south toward the Ontario Peak Trail.

Ontario Peak Trail

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A few yards south of the Saddle Junction, look for the sign for the Ontario Peak Trail and hike west through some manzanita and pine.

It's about a mile to Kelly Camp, and the trail is relatively flat - especially compared to what you just climbed up. Enjoy the different angle of Icehouse Canyon and the views of the Baldy Bowl as you hike.

Kelly Camp

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Arrive at Kelly Camp, a large, open backcountry campsite.

This campsite is built on the ruins of an old resort, and many of the building's foundations are still visible.

Depending on the precipitation and time of year, there may be a small spring running to the west of the camp. Set up camp if you're spending the night, or follow the trail south through the camp to continue toward Bighorn and Ontario Peaks.

R0013132 (Dells (historical), California, United States) Photo

Keep Right at Tree

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In the switchbacking ascent south of Kelly Camp, the trail is fairly established. However, there is one spot that's potentially confusing - where you have to climb over a large downed tree stump and log.

There is a faint use trail heading east that looks like it's the way around the log. Instead, climb up on top of the log, where you will clearly spot the actual trail heading west.

Continue hiking up to the ridge.

R0013135 (Dells (historical), California, United States) Photo

Ridge Junction

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At a ridge overlooking civilization below, the Ontario Peak Trail meets with the Bighorn Peak Trail in a 3-way junction.

From here, you can tackle Bighorn Peak (1.5 miles roundtrip) or Ontario (3 miles roundtrip) - the distances on the sign are incorrect. Head east along the ridge trail toward Bighorn Peak.

Bighorn Peak

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After hitting the level ridge plateau, continue east until you see a large pile of boulders. This is the summit of Bighorn Peak (8441 ft), and the summit register should be in a container in the boulders.

Enjoy the views, then backtrack to the Junction with the Ontario Peak Trail and continue west.

Bighorn Pk

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Ontario Peak

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Reach the summit of Ontario Peak (8693 ft), a small rocky promontory with outstanding views of the Baldy Bowl to the north and Rancho Cucamonga to the south.

Look for the summit register in a pile of boulders near a dead tree, soak up the views, and return the way you came.

Falling Rock Canyon

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*EXPERIENCED* mountaineers may wish to descend to Icehouse Canyon via Falling Rock Canyon, hitting up Sugarloaf Peak on the way down.

This route is NOT for casual hikers. It is not an officially maintained path and is very dangerous for those not already familiar with the route.

Dead Trees

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After hiking through a stretch of tall manzanita, continue past a large swath of dead trees.

Stay quiet when you're hiking this area, and be sure to keep your eyes peeled on the mountain ridges - you might spot a herd of bighorn sheep!

Faint Trail

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In just under half a mile, the trail hits a patchy area of manzanita bushes and becomes indistinct. Resist the urge to climb and instead head a very short distance to the east, approaching a steep drop-off on the south side of the ridge. From there, look to the northeast, and a faint but distinct trail emerges between the bushes:

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