| Peak | Cucamonga Peak |
|---|---|
| Group | N/A |
| Trailhead | ICEHOUSE CANYON |
Cucamonga Peak is a lengthy, steep hike up. We started at 0730a, hardly anyone in the parking lot, it was a Friday so perhaps that helped. Columbine Spring was flowing and provided a beautiful white noise throughout the icehouse canyon trail. Beautiful scenery made for picturesque photos along the way. There are several ruins from past cabins, my guess, left behind from the mining days or possibly by LA WATER & POWER when they were putting in water pipes? Let me know if you know their true purpose. The entire Icehouse trail was full of steady switchbacks. The Icehouse saddle was super windy! if you plan to stop and rest and fuel up, do it prior or shortly after and you will not have any wind gusts. When we reached Cucamonga Saddle we started up the trail toward the peak, mercilessly switchbacking the entire way. The trail swapped from north to west sides of the mountain…not as shady as Icehouse Trail but nice. We reached the peak at 1:30/2P. Ran into 4 other groups up there. We were above the smog, so I got full sun and clear blue skies. It took us 1/2 the time to get back to the bottom. We saw several chipmunks and birds but no sheep…the Cucamonga Saddle trail was like walking on the edge of the mountain, I assumed i would have ran into one HAHAHAH, but we didn’t. overall this hike was hard on my knees ( downhill) & my feet. My feet were articulating through all the rocks on the trail going downhill. Thinking about switching my Merrells out for some hikers with stiffer soles. If anyone has any they recommend, please let me know. Would I do this hike again, absolutely! On to the next peak.
I have hiked in my new Hoka waterproof lightweight hikers on both San Jacinto and today Mt. Wilson. I had an impact small tib fracture with lots of complications and I actually ran 3 mi down Wilson to meet my friends today after I went solo to summit. My legs feel great!
They stuck like glue on the San Jacinto rocks too from the trail to the boulder scramble at the peak. I got them last fall at REI for mtns but had them sitting unwrapped until now cause of all our winter snow. I sloshed thru little runoff streams without a single drop invading my socks on both mtns. So I love them, but that’s just what works for me. Hope this helps!
Did Cucamonga in my Hokas 5 days ago and I was the only 1 of 3 with happy feet and zero articulating of the scree and pointy rocks. They fit like slippers on me, are totally waterproof, and the soles are sticky and tough – Cuca and Icehouse’s rocks and scree were no match for them! On the descent we did a section of boulder hopping and they were great there too. Both other (xp) hikers had Merrils and sore feet from the rocks.
I also wore Pro Trc gel soft knee braces under my leggings as I am tiny, plus compression shin socks, and I felt tired but fantastic after a loooong day in searing monsoonal heat and humidity (and a tstorm over Baldy) at Cuca!
Also to each their own, but my friend and I thought the Wilson switchbacks on the routes we took were worse. We missed a turn a large rock obscured and found some actually steep and short loose dirt switchbacks and thought, “Oh! THESE must be the steep ones people keep talking about!” We later found out they were make-a-trail ones likely leftover from the snow!
There were ridgeline walks and dropoffs to be sure. The super narrow turn around the mtn was the only time I really wanted to hold onto something. But not a good trail if u r afraid of heights, to be sure! Gorgeous if you’re not! 🙂
That is awesome R W! 🙂
Wow, i am definitely checking these Hoka boots out! Merrells are great for hiking but not so good for trekking these peaks. You are right about the Wilson Peak switchbacks, neverending 3 miles i tell ya! My trekking poles definitely helped me go up those easier than I would have without them. You mentioned compression knee socks, what do those help with? I will have to check them out. I am so thrilled that you enjoyed Cuca Peak & that you finished with happy feet. I am definitely going to try these HOKA shoes. When i think about doign the 6packs again next year, Cuca and the rocks make me think twice. I did San Bernardino Saturday, I need to log it still…GORGEOUS!!! ABSOLUTELY my favorite!!! I was in AWE the entire time…i had to stop and check out the views, pictures do not do justice to this trail..YOU MUST GO SEE IT for yourself. 5 stars!
I really loved Mt Wilson because i love FERNS & it was shady most of the way…we started at 0615a when we did it in late April. I planned to take a friend next month 26th. But i do not enjoy warm hikes and Mt Wilson is definitely way lower elevation than these other peaks.
Whats next for you?
I just looked up the HOKA SHOE, It looks sooooo comfortable!!!! I will get me a pair, thanks again R W for the great information. I appreciate you.
I highly recommend Cho-Pat knee braces. Prior to Cho-Pat’s, our knees took a beating on Wilson. Our knees were pain free during Cucamonga and Baldy. I’ve had fellow hikers inquire about the braces. Happy trails!