I started at the Ice House Trailhead at 6:40 am. My six pack of peaks tag was instantly recognized by a fellow six packer named Justin. I hiked with him and his buddy Matt along the trail as the stream roared to our right and redwoods towered above us. As I shared my plans for the day, Justin suggested I add Etiwanda peak to my hike.

After a bit I parted ways and continued on to Ontario peak. I thought about the Etiwanda suggestion and decided to wait and see how I felt after topping out on Cucamonga.

I cruised up and truly appreciated the beauty and peacefulness of the surrounding forest. The trail was bustling with tons of hikers and backpackers, but tapered off after Ice House Saddle. I enjoyed the solitude the trail provided while I hiked up to Ontario Peak. I think one of my favorite parts of the hike was coming up to the ridge between Ontario and Bighorn and being slapped in the face with an amazing view of the cities below blanketed in clouds. I continued on and topped out on Ontario Peak around 9:20. I swear I could have just stepped out onto the blanket of clouds below. Just amazing!

Bighorn Peak was next up, so I set on my way and made it to the top around 10:20. I enjoyed the change of perspective Bighorn offered. This portion of the trail was absent of anyone else offering a quiet stillness and peacefulness. I listened to the breeze rustle the trees, snapped some pics, and head down.

As I started down the steep side of Bighorn, I looked across and saw the steep switchbacks going up to Cucamonga Peak. I rolled my eyes at the thought of going up those and continued on. As I approached the seemingly steep and impossible switchbacks like many things in the mountains, the perspective changed and they didn’t seem so daunting. I pressed on and summited my supposed third and final peak.

Just as I crested Cucamonga Peak, I heard Justin call out my name. We chatted for several minutes and he asked me about Etiwanda Peak. I was soar and my feet ached (I guess I shouldn’t have a worn a brand new pair of shoes for a 15+ mile hike). I thought I might be done so I decided to rest and downed all the rest of the food I had. Feeling much better, I figured I was here and Etiwanda was only a mile or so away. Why not?

To Justin’s excitement, I pressed on and pushed for a fourth summit. By 12:40 I was standing atop Etiwanda and truly appreciated the exposure and view it offered. As I panned around, I could see baldy looming behind me, and out on the horizon laid the high desert, San Gorgonio, San Jacinto, and Saddle Back. 3 of which I still need to summit. I enjoyed the spectacular view and headed back.

I was cruising down. My legs aches and bounced like jello with each step. Feeling spent and ready to be done with about 2-3 miles left to go I saw Justin again. He is such a positive guy and was just the encouragement I needed. He couldn’t contain his excitement and showed me a natural spring he just learned about. We filled up our water bottles and enjoyed quenching our thirst with the ice cold spring water.

I hiked the rest of the way reminiscing about the amazing hike I had and then had to stop several times to photograph the stream as it tumbled over the rocks. I made it back to the Trailhead at 3:20, soaked my feet in the stream and headed home.

Amazing!