I am training for my Mount Whitney summit this coming September.  As a preparation for it, I will be hiking with 25+ pounds in my backpack.  On August 11th, I joined the Mountain Humpers on their hike up to Ontario Peak.

Parking at the Ice Canyon Trailhead is very limited if you arrive past 6 a.m. This is because this trailhead have various Peaks (Cucamonga Peak, Ontario Peak, Bighorn) where hikers can go to.  I arrived at the parking at 5:30 a.m. and our schedules hike tine was at 6:30 a.m.  A little past 6:45 a.m., my hiking group did not arrive.  My hiking sister, Mrs. Connie Morales, decided to hike and stop at the Saddle to wait for the our group who will be arriving very late.  This is my first time up to Ontario Peak; so, Connie was my Lead.  I truly love this Trail.  It had beautiful rocks and rock formation.  It has a creek that runs parallel to the Trail.  Almost a 1 mile from the Saddle, our group caught up with us.  They zoomed passed us.  With my heavy load, I hiked at a slow, constant pace.  When we reached the Saddle, I hurriedly dropped that big boulder off my back.  We rested for a good 20 minutes and continued on.  I faced many switchbacks and inclinef.  Good thing about this trail was that it is shaded.  What a sign of relief!  Almost 2 miles from Ontario Peak, it looked like it took forever.  Finally, I arrived at the Peak.  What a beautiful place!  The rock formation is so beautiful.  I certified my Ontario Peak Challenge with a photo with that famous tree.  Whoohoo, another Peak bagged and this time with 25+ pounds on my back.