Three T’s Trail

The Three T's Trail is one of the most ambitious day hikes in Southern California — a 15.7-mile loop that summits three named peaks in the Mt. Baldy area of Angeles National Forest while gaining over 5,000 vertical feet. The "Three T's" refer to Telegraph Peak (8,985 ft), Thunder Mountain (8,587 ft), and Timber Mountain (8,303 ft) — three sub-peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains' high country, all accessed from the legendary Icehouse Saddle.

It's a benchmark hike for serious SoCal hikers — the kind of route that pops up on training lists for Mt. Whitney, the John Muir Trail, and other big mountain objectives.

The Trail

• Distance: 15.7 miles (loop)
• Elevation gain: ~5,100 ft
• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Route type: Loop
• Peaks bagged: 3 (Telegraph, Thunder, Timber)
• Trailhead: Icehouse Canyon

The loop begins at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead off Mt. Baldy Road and climbs steadily up Icehouse Canyon — a beautiful, shaded canyon hike that follows a creek through old-growth oak and pine. After ~3.5 miles and 2,600 ft of gain, you reach Icehouse Saddle (~7,580 ft), the central junction point and de facto base camp for the rest of the loop.

From the saddle, the route traverses to each of the three T's:

• Timber Mountain (8,303 ft) — typically the first peak; a short steep climb from the saddle
• Telegraph Peak (8,985 ft) — the highest of the three; a steeper, longer push along the ridge
• Thunder Mountain (8,587 ft) — the final summit, with the bonus of being adjacent to Mt. Baldy Notch and the Mt. Baldy ski lifts

You can complete the peaks in either direction, but most hikers go counterclockwise (Timber → Telegraph → Thunder) for the most efficient elevation profile.

After Thunder, you'll descend back to Icehouse Saddle and return down Icehouse Canyon — a long but mostly downhill 3.5 miles to the trailhead.

Why It's Worth the Effort

• Three named peaks in one day — rare in Southern California
• Big-mountain feel without leaving LA County
• Sweeping views of the San Gabriels, San Bernardinos, and on clear days, all the way to Catalina Island and the Pacific
• Mature pine and fir forest — quiet, fragrant, and a world away from the LA basin below
• Strong PCT and JMT training hike — similar elevation profile to many Sierra peaks at lower altitude

Difficulty Notes

Make no mistake — this is a strenuous hike:

• 5,100 ft of gain over 15.7 miles is genuinely Sierra-scale
• Three summit pushes in one day, each with its own steep section
• Elevation: the peaks all sit above 8,000 ft — thinner air, especially noticeable for sea-level hikers
• Sustained effort — there's no "easy" part of this loop

Plan for 8–12 hours at a moderate pace. Trail runners can do it faster; most hikers should plan a full day and start at dawn.

Permits & Fees

• National Forest Adventure Pass required to park at Icehouse Canyon Trailhead ($5/day or $30/annual)
• Cucamonga Wilderness self-issue permit required — fill out at the trailhead kiosk (free)
• Adventure Pass purchase locations: REI, USFS offices, some local gear shops

Seasonal Considerations

• Spring (April–early June): Snow lingers on north faces and shaded ridgelines well into May. Microspikes often necessary. Check conditions.
• Summer (June–September): Prime season — long daylight hours, mostly clear trails. Start at dawn to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.
• Fall (September–November): Excellent — cooler temps, crisp visibility, fewer crowds.
• Winter (December–March): Serious winter mountaineering only. Snow, ice, and short daylight make this a different hike entirely.

Fire closures are a recurring issue in Angeles National Forest — always check current trail and forest status: fs.usda.gov/angeles.

What to Bring

• Minimum 3 liters of water — there's a small unreliable spring near Columbine Spring on the descent but don't count on it
• Layers — temps can vary 30°F+ between the canyon and the summits, especially in shoulder seasons
• Sun protection — ridgeline sections are fully exposed
• Sturdy hiking boots — rocky and loose in places
• Trekking poles — essential for the descent
• Headlamp — many hikers don't finish before dusk
• Map / GPS — Gaia or AllTrails offline; cell service is spotty
• High-calorie food — pack more than you think you'll need

Trailhead & Access

• Trailhead: Icehouse Canyon Trailhead, 7635 Mt. Baldy Road, Mt. Baldy, CA
• Parking: Limited lot at the trailhead — arrives early on weekends (lot fills by 7 AM in summer)
• Restrooms: Vault toilets at the trailhead
• Dogs: Permitted on leash, but the distance, elevation, and rocky terrain are very tough on dogs

Practical Info

• From LA: ~1.5 hours via I-210 and Mt. Baldy Road
• Nearby: Mt. Baldy Village (food, coffee), Mt. Baldy Resort (lifts in winter)
• Pair with: Mt. Baldy summit (the original peak — 10,064 ft) for the "Four T's" extension if you have the legs and daylight
• Post-hike food: Mt. Baldy Lodge is the local go-to for a big post-hike meal and beer
• Six-Pack of Peaks: Not on the official challenge, but a frequent training/checkpoint hike for SoCal peak-baggers