A beautiful, sunny day, blue skies, not too warm, slightly breezy. Bugs weren't really a nag until the Icehouse Saddle, then bug net came out. Ontario Peak was, well, what can one say? She should be nicknamed “The Mountain of False Hopes.” Just when you think the summit is in reach – “Ah, nope, more to go”. Until the next summit view. Then “Nope, again. Surprise! There's more trail ahead, Oh Peak Bagger, Thou.” But, once the top is finally achieved, the reward of spectacular 360 degree views from Baldy, to Cucamonga, to Santiago, and back again. The only big annoyance was making the mistake of taking the Bighorn Trail back to Icehouse Saddle – that trail is partially completely overgrown with dense Manzanita that took some time to bushwack through.
Ambition crashed into the wall of physical reality for this hike #6 of the challenge. Had planned on going the O.B.C.E. route, but only managed 1/2 the plan after reaching the Bighorn summit part of the journey, and saw Cucamonga's trail far below Bighorn, across the divide. Cucamonga and the short side trip to Etiwanda will have to wait for another day.
Responses