The promised to be another hot Summer day, so we decided to start early. We left home at 4.30 AM and arrived at the parking lot just after 6.00 AM to find out the parking lot was already full. We took the last spot, parking our car at a bumper scraping angle and started our hike. I noticed a lot of people did not care to fill out their permit, but we did. Our bodies stronger after Mt Wilson the week, allowed us to start with a strong pace. Soon after, we left most other hikers behind. The creek had more water than the trickle at Mt Wilson and kept us company the first mile or so.
The path soon begins to climb and continues to do so until you get to the Ice House Saddle. We were happy to beat the sun getting to the saddle and this allowed us to truly enjoy the spectacular scenery with large fields of rock fall and massive pine trees. The saddle is a good place to take a break and rest. What is exactly what all hikers do. From here 5 trails leave in all directions, so make sure to take the one to Cucamonga Peak. There was a clear sign at the entrance of the trail. This trail first goes down a bit and you feel slightly cheated, knowing that all elevation lost only means more climbing later on. But the views and nature surrounding you let you forget all that. Soon after you pass another saddle and start your climb to the top.
There are 2 turns that are easily missed. Halfway up the switchbacks, there is a small trail you need to take on the left. Somebody built a small wall of stones across the trail and there are some small spray painted arrows. Several hikers missed this turn. The other is just below the top. There is a pole without a sign and a barely visible trail on the right. From here it is only a short climb to the top. It may sound anti-social, but we truly enjoyed that we left most other hikers behind and felt all by ourselves, despite the packed parking lot. It simply gives a bigger sense of accomplishment and allows to more enjoy the scenery, when you don't have to walk up the mountain in a human traffic jam…
Most hikers go directly to the ‘Simba Rock' on the right side of the peak for their Instagram Photo Opportunity. this place tends to get very busy. We opted to go first to the highest peak on the left. Hardly anybody there and the views are spectacular. Very cool that there are several wooden signs you can use for pictures. Happily surprised that these signs actually stay at the top and don't end up in a dorm. Another proof that hikers are good folks.
The hike down was easy. We stopped briefly at the old mine shaft but quickly found out that all mosquitoes that we were expecting after Mt Wilson (but were completely absent at Cucamonga Peak) assemble in the opening of the mine shaft. We did not go in.
We reached the saddle pretty quickly and pushed on. The hike back from the saddle down to the parking lot took a lot longer than expected. We kept a good pace, but in our mind, the distance was a lot longer than going up in the morning. We did see a lot of people hiking up the mountain packed for a sleep over at the peak. That must be a popular thing to do. Made a mental note to put that on a bucket list and avoid the Saturday night.
After changing intro dry clothing, we decided to celebrate our Peak #2 by sponsoring the local economy at the bar at the Buckhorn Lodge and Restaurant. Friendly staff, good beer selection, great burger (made at the backyard BBQ) and interesting local ornaments.
A great hike and we plan to come back.