Icehouse Canyon and Chapman Trail Loop to Icehouse Saddle

Trail: Icehouse Canyon up to Icehouse Saddle down to trailhead via Chapman Trail

Stats: 8.9 miles 2620′ gain and loss

Last Hiked: 6-30-12

A Wilderness Permit is required to hike in this area. This requirement is posted on the Cucamonga Wilderness Sign along the middle portion of the Icehouse Canyon Trail. The permit can be acquired at the Mt. Baldy Visitors Center.

Cucamonga Wilderness sign with posting of wilderness permit requirements.

Trail Segments: From trailhead take the Lower Icehouse Canyon Trail to the Lower JCT of the Chapman trail.

Lower JCT of Icehouse Canyon Trail and Chapman Trail

At the Lower JCT continue up the middle portion of the Icehouse Canyon Trail to the Upper JCT with the Chapman Trail.

Upper JCT with the Chapman Trail

Continue up along the upper portion of the Icehouse Canyon Trail to Icehouse Saddle. From Icehouse Saddle head back down the way you came until you reach the upper JCT with the Chapman Trail. Continue down the Upper Chapman Trail to the Cedar Glen Trail Camp.

Cedar Glen Trail Camp

From Cedar Glen, continue down the lower portion of the Chapman Trail to the lower JCT with the Icehouse Canyon Trail. From the JCT continue down to the trailhead.

Points of Interest: Cedar Glen Trail Camp

Photos: Lower Icehouse Canyon, Middle Icehouse Canyon, Upper Icehouse Canyon, Upper Chapman Trail, Lower Chapman Trail.

This hike starts along a stream that is follows most of the way up Icehouse Canyon. I prefer to take the Icehouse Canyon Trail up to Icehouse Saddle as it is steeper and I prefer taking the longer but less steep Chapman Trail on the way down as is gives my knees less stress. Also, I find the views going down the Chapman Trail (especially near sunset) to be better on the way down. Along the Icehouse Canyon Trail are numerous small waterfalls (perhaps better described as micro-falls) and a few interesting areas where groundwater flows across the trail into the stream. Close to the two mile marker is an area with boulders displaying great patterns. Fairly close to the upper junction with the Chapman Trail is Columbine Spring which is the last place to get water (I filter the water I get from there) before reaching Icehouse Saddle. At Icehouse Saddle there are several options to continue hiking with clearly marked signs if you want to extend your hike. Going down the Chapman Trail provides nice views down the canyon and at places views out to the ocean. The Chapman trail leads to Cedar Glen Trail Camp and there is water crossing the trail just below Cedar Glen.