Hiked with 20+ Yellow Jacket Stings… and Cucamonga Peak Still Stole the Show!

After all of the hiking I had already done, I wasn’t looking forward to Cucamonga Peak because I assumed it would be anticlimactic, but it was probably the most enjoyable of them all! First of all, I did it on a whim. The day before, I was hiking on the burnt out, overgrown Moon Trail behind my house alongside the Santa Ana River Trail and I was attacked by yellow jackets – it was totally unprovoked. They were likely agitated from before I got to them and I was the very last person who happened to walk by and I just heard, “Run!” and I ran, not knowing what I was even running from. Well, I felt like I had been shot by a nailgun multiple times in my legs and then next I knew, a dozen of them had flown into my hair and were stinging my scalp. Other hikers pulled them out one by one and I was left with searing pain. It was a nightmare, but that leads me to Cucamonga Peak. The pain was so bad, I couldn’t sleep that night, so when I glanced at my phone from my bed and it read 3:30am, I got up, put on my gear, and drove to Icehouse Canyon. I wanted to get another peak in before incoming cold weather and I needed a distraction from the burning sting wounds. Was a strenuous, steep hike right after a traumatic event a smart move? Well, as I knock back antibiotics a week later, I will never know, but NO REGRETS. Now that you have the backstory, onto the peak story!

I arrived at the trailhead at about 5:30am and the parking lot was already filling up, so I highly recommend arriving by 6am on a weekend. I’m not sure where all of the people at the trailhead disappeared to, but I began the trail with it all to myself. With the sun rising behind me, I took in the gorgeous fall colors and listened to the sound of the creek. I was trying to make it to the top as fast as possible, but was slowed down by having to take photos because of the scenery. I really enjoyed the pacing of this trail, too. It climbed fast but I didn’t need to take a break. Everyone on the trail was so nice. The boy scouts that came by were polite. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the day. It wasn’t too hot and most of the trail was shaded. Make sure you go the right way at the signage because there are multiple peaks you could reach. After some switchbacks and a mine and then more switchbacks, suddenly, I reached the peak. I spent 2 hours up there, which is much longer than I usually spend at the top. I thought the views wouldn’t impress me because it’s not as high as the other peaks, but I was so wrong! I could see everything! I just couldn’t get enough. One of my favorite peaks ever!

I had fun taking the infamous photo on the rock, which later scared my mom and others. But it’s not as frightening as it looks. I met many people at the top, had good conversation, and after finally finding a pen, signed the registry. I will say though – there are way too many signs at the top. Kinda funny. Well, I took my sweet time up there, just thinking about 2025 – a whirlwind year of impending change, heartbreak, darkness, and last but not least – hope. I’m not yet in the place I want to be, but I was in a better mental state on top of Cucamonga Peak than I was on top of Mt. San Jacinto in June. So, there’s that.

The descent wasn’t bad at all, but save some energy because there are some uphill sections where you got a breather heading up.

By the time I was back at the trailhead, I wasn’t too tired, but my legs were burning (not from the trek, from the yellow jackets, remember? Lol). But I loved every second of Cucamonga Peak. Don’t judge a peak by its elevation.

8,862 feet / 11.5 miles / 4,186 ft elev gain / 5.5 hours moving time / solo hike