WHAT: A 5th Anniversary hike on pleasant trails using a loop route. This is the same trip lead in the spring of 1988. It should be even nicer this time because of the wet winter.

WHERE: Ice House Canyon; part of the larger San Antonio Canyon system. In the San Gabriel Mountains north of Pomona.

STATISTICS: Rating - High Moderate; 2700 ft elev. gain; 9 mi RT (5.4 up, 3.6 down). Lv 9:30 am, Return to cars by 6 pm.

MAPS: Mt Baldy (7.5’), Cucamonga Peak (7.5’)

DESCRIPTION: We start from the Ice House Canyon parking lot and walk past the recently burned out Lodge (was an historic area landmark). The bottom part of the trail winds past summer cabins. Notice old foundations and even chimneys standing alone. Those cabins were never rebuilt after the massive flood of 1938. there has also been some destruction in more recent fires.

In a mile we meet a trail intersection. The Chapman Trail turns to the left into Cedar Canyon. It’s the long way but less steep. We’ll take it but come down the steeper Ice House Canyon trail. Expect to see areas where there was trail damage from the heavy winter storms; however, I’ve been assured it’s passable. In Cedar Canyon we’ll see how well the area has recovered from a devastating fire about 8 years ago. We go past Cedar Flats (aka Cedar Glen), a good place to camp, and then contour onto the western slopes of Telegraph Peak before finally joining the older Ice House Canyon trail. In another three/quarters of a mile, we reach our day’s objective, the saddle. Lunch time and rest for the weary.

From here one could continue to Cucamonga Pk, Ontario Pk, Telegraph & Timber Peaks, etc. There’s also a trail which heads down the eastern side into Lytle Creek Canyon. But after lunch and rest, we’ll turn back (except perhaps for the tigers), this time down the steeper trail. Not far below the upper intersection is Columbine Spring. It should be flowing. By the way, this canyon was named, honestly enough, after facilities for keeping ice in the old days. After the sun goes over the ridge, it can get chilly fast.

After returning to the cars, those who wish can meet for pizza at the Roundtable on Baseline, west of Padua (corner of Mills).

BRING: Daypack, Lunch, water (1-2 qts), windbreaker with sweater, sun cream & glasses, camera, 10 Essentials if you have them. Lightweight boots are best as some of the trail may be rough.

MISCELLANY: The last public restroom facilities are approx. 0.8 mi. above Baldy Village, on the right going up. For more information, call or message me: Jack Cook, ext. 35214, Home: 371-2706 or E-Net: JCook:el Segundo. Bad weather will cancel. With poor response, I reserve the right to cancel or modify the plan completely!

MEETING DETAILS: Meet at 9:30 am in the old Ice House Lodge parking lot. If I know you’re coming I’ll wait a few minutes. Look for a white VW Vanagon.

DRIVING DETAILS: Take the San Bernadino Freeway (10) east into the town of Pomona to the Indian Hill Bl turn off. Exit and turn north (left at light). Just north of the freeway is a Baker’s Square on your right and a Howard Johnson’s on your left if you want to eat breakfast here. Continue north on Indian Hill Bl on through the town of Claremont and past FootHill Bl (old US Hwy 66). Make a right (east) at Baseline . In a little over a mile, turn left onto Padua. Go north, just past some new mansions to Mt Baldy Rd (or San Antonio Canyon Rd - same thing); turn right. Stay on Mt Baldy Rd past Mt Baldy Village and all the way into the parking lot. This is approx. 1.7 miles above the village where the main road swings left. Stay right. If you find yourself on steep hairpin turns, you went too far. Less than 2hrs driving time from the south bay.