Cucamonga: Hike #5

Another beautiful day in the mountains! A bit chilly at the trailhead. Got to the parking lot at the end of Ice House Canyon Rd. and it was full. (8:15 am Saturday). No problem to park road side up Mt. Baldy Rd a few hundred yards. Kept our wind breakers, beanies and gloves on all the way up to the saddle. I kept my windbreaker on the entire day, as it never got too warm and the layer kept the wind chill down. Beautiful large pools in the creek for the first 3/4 mile or so. A lot of hikers, all friendly and cheerful. Ethan and had not decided which peak to summit (Ontario or Cucamonga) until we got to the saddle. A fellow hiker praised the views from cucamonga and another hiker said Cucamonga provided the greater challenge so….Cucamonga it was! My legs were definitely feeling the last 1/2 mile to the peak but the amazing panorama from the top was well worth the effort. A small line formed taking turns to photograph the accomplishment while holding the wooden Cucamonga Peak sign. Ethan took a short nap while I watched a guy fly his drone above the cliffs. I should have packed a couple more power bars. We ate what we had at the top but could have used a couple for the hike down. The last mile or so back to the trailhead seemed twice as long! Great hike and the first of our 6 Peak Challenge with a running creek.