Etiwanda Peak

Trail: Icehouse Canyon and Cucamonga Peak

Miles: 14.1

Type: Out and Back

My Time: 6 Hours

Elevation Gain/Loss: 4783 ft.

Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult

Parking Permit: Yes, Adventure Pass

Location: San Bernardino National Forest

To hike up to Etiwanda Peak, you must start at the Icehouse Canyon Trailhead. This is one of the most popular and busiest trailheads I have ever been to. If you’re not there before 7 AM on a weekend/holiday, you may not get a spot in the parking lot. The good news is if you still have your adventure pass, there are some street parking as long as you’re off the road fully, passed the white line on Mt. Baldy Road.

If you plan on hiking past Icehouse Saddle, then you must obtain a permit. The permit is very easy to obtain because they are available at the trailhead. Located inside the brown box you can grab a permit and fill out the information required. Make sure you keep your copy on you at all times. If you are planning to do an overnight at Kelly Camp or even Cucamonga Peak, you can still fill out a permit here. Just fill out the information based on your trip itinerary. Letting them know what days, which locations for camping and planned trailhead to end the trip. In about 7 miles to Etiwanda Peak, you will gain ~4783 feet of elevation. Which can be slightly less elevation and distance if you don't go to Cucamonga Peak as well. When I did my hike to Etiwanda, I first summited Cucamonga then went to Etiwanda afterwards. On the way back down I continued on the trail back to the trailhead. This will save you another ~300 feet of elevation gain, and a short distance.

As you start on the Icehouse Canyon Trail you will follow along the water for a very relaxing PNW “style” hike if you are hiking at the right time of the year when water is flowing. Mini waterfalls and constant sounds of water flowing to ease the mind. I went during late May and early June and water was still flowing. Along this part of the trail there are a few cabins so make sure you stay off the properties and don’t bother the tenants. Another perk of the first 2 miles is it is mostly shaded which is lovely for heat and sun protection. These first 2 miles definitely make you forget that you are in L.A. or Orange County. From mile 2 to mile 3 the elevation starts to pick up a little more noticeably. During this mile there is still some shade but definitely not as consistent as the first 2 miles. I would consider this mile a series of long dragged out switchbacks which takes you to the Icehouse Saddle. Some people choose to hike to here and back to trailhead for a nice roughly 6-7 mile hike.

Once you reach the saddle you’ll have the option to go towards the Three T’s, Middle Fork, Ontario Peak, Cucamonga Peak, and/or Etiwanda peak. A few options between peaks, and hiking down the other side of the saddle towards Lytle Creek area. This is a great time to grab a snack and have a seat on one of the logs if you choose to rest before heading to the summit. From the saddle, the peak is about 3 miles. At this point you are a roughly halfway done…but these next 3 miles are no joke! As the trail gets a little bit more technical and the elevation gain is pretty drastic in comparison to the beginning.

Right before you reach Cucamonga peak, you will see a wooden pole. This pole looks like it may have once had a sign reading Cucamonga peak on it. But for now someone just used a pen and wrote Cucamonga Peak on it. At this wooden pole, veer right for Cucamonga, or stay left for Etiwanda. From here it is about 1 mile to Etiwanda Peak. The trail is super easy to follow along, but the downfall is you will lose some elevation gain during this stretch. Then with .2 of a mile left, you will head straight up! You will gain back the couple hundred feet of elevation you managed to slowly lose on the way here from the Cucamonga split. There is a metal pole and some small boulders marking the peak. In my opinion, this peak was anti climatic. Especially after just seeing essentially the same view from Cucamonga Peak. What I recommend is to do both peaks in the same hike as I did, otherwise if you plan to hike just to Etiwanda, it could be anti climatic for you as well.

As for the trail; there are a lot of rocks of all sizes and some technical sections so don’t expect it to blaze through this trail. Rock fields, small rock hopping, dirt trail with decent rocks scattered and some minimal flat dirt sections. This trail makes you have to pay attention a little more than your average as the terrain isn’t consistent.

Dogs are allowed on leash. Depending on the time of the year there is a water spring you can use to filter water. Always wear sun protection even though the first couple miles are shaded. Especially because the shade is limited at the summit, if you plan on spending some time there. Adventure Pass needed for parking. Permit needed for hiking or camping. I would recommend 1 gallon of water and/or electrolytes of some sort.

Overall a great trail, peak and experience.

As always pack it in and pack it out!

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