Hiking to Cucamonga Peak

The journey to Cucamonga Peak starts at the Icehouse Canyon trailhead. Before venturing out please remember to purchase a daily adventure pass and pick up a wilderness permit from the Ranger Station down the road. Once you have everything in order, it's time to begin the trek.

The trail begins near a stream where you'll be passing a few cabins. As you continue, you'll notice a few historical ruins which are fun to explore and take photos of. After about a mile and a half into the hike you'll be entering wilderness territory. The second mile of the hike includes a lot of loose rocks and you are mostly exposed to the sun so make sure you watch your footing. Once the rocky terrain smooths out a bit you'll begin asending gradually towards the Icehouse saddle. 

At the 3.6 mile mark you will reach the Saddle. This is a great spot to take a short break and refuel. At the saddle there are various paths you can take leading to different summits. Cucamonga Peak is on the right. From the saddle to the summit it's only another 2.5 miles.

The trail starts to narrow and hugs the cliffside many times. At the beginning you'll descend a little bit and then afterwards it's all uphill. This last part of the trail is the most exposed to the sun and the most difficult part of the hike. Look out for the sign guiding you to the summit. The final climbs are complete bun burners so take your time.

When you make it to the summit take a walk towards the left side so you can find the official sign. The summit sits at an impressive 8,859 feet with a panoramic view of the San Bernardino wilderness and the cities of Rancho Cucamonga, Upland and Ontario below. 

After taking in the views, enjoy a lunch and then begin your trek back to the trailhead.