Cucamonga Peak 2022 – Solo Hike

Cucamonga | Ontario Twofer 2022 – Part 1

June 19, 2022

I had originally planned on going during the week but postponed the hike until the Sheep Fire was thankfully under control and the air quality back in check. In an effort to beat the father's day crowd, I left the house around 3am arriving at Icehouse Canyon a little before 5am. There were already several hiking parties waiting to get started by the time I got there but with our varied paces we all spread out very quickly.

I had hiked Cucamonga Peak by itself the year prior but thought I'd add Ontario this year since both hikes share the same first half up to the Icehouse Canyon saddle junction (assuming you're hiking in from the Icehouse Canyon TH.)

It was fun to get started in the dark with the headlamp – I hadn't done that in a while – I usually try to start at dawn or sunrise.

I was a little surprised to come across quite a few backpackers camping at various sites on the way to the summit – some still tucked in, some getting their breakfast going. I had only encountered fellow day hikers before when coming during the week.  hmmm… a sunset backpacking trip sounds pretty good – I might try that next time!

As always the trail didn't disappoint.  I enjoyed the long set of switchbacks that weave back and forth up to the peak once you get around Bighorn – you can get in the zone while enjoying the scenery.

If you want to also summit Ontario peak, there is a steep unmaintained trail (marked on CalTopo) you can take from the Cucamonga/Bighorn saddle. It goes straight up to Bighorn and then you can take the “normal” trail over to Ontario, effectively making it a 3-peak challenge. I had seen some hiking logs of folks using that route and it seemed more than doable.  However, at least on that day, I really wasn't feeling having to contend with a bit of scramble over the albeit shorter route. Instead, I favored going back to the Icehouse saddle junction and doing the extra mileage before continuing on to Ontario.  Time for second breakfast…

[to be continued]

Hike Logs: 2021