BUFF'S REVIEW: Would I recommend this trail? YES. At 8,662′ Ontario Peak is one of the tallest peaks in the Cucamonga Wilderness. Other worthy peaks in this area are Timber Mountain 8,271′, Cucamonga Peak 8,842′, and Telegraph Peak 8,901′. You will need a Adventure Pass or an America the Beautiful National Park Pass to park in the Icehouse Canyon Parking Lot. Adventure Passes can be purchased the Mt. Baldy Ranger Station or any REl. The trail can be divided into 4 sections.

1st SECTION: Icehouse Canyon from the parking lot to the stream crossing. This section is mostly shaded and moderate in difficulty.

2nd SECTION: From the stream crossing to the switchbacks. This section is VERY rocky and the trail is not clearly marked. But if you stay focused on where you are going or if you have a navigation device it's not a problem. I would rate the difficulty of this section as moderatet.

3rd SECTION: The switchbacks. Once you start the switchbacks the trail is very easy to navigate. I would rate the difficulty of this section as hard. When the switchbacks end you will be at Icehouse Saddle. I would rate this section as hard. It's a beautiful spot and a good place to take a break. From the saddle you can go north to Timber Mountain, east to Cucamonga Peak, or south to Ontario Peak.

4th SECTION: From the Saddle to Ontario Peak. This section starts out shaded for about the first mile. After that no shade. But push on. The reward is worth it. I would rate this section at hard+ mainly because you will be pretty tired at this point.

BUFF'S TIPS for Ontario Peak. 1) Bring plenty of water. 2) Bring a water filtering device just in case you run out of water on the way down. You can filter once you reach Icehouse Canyon. 4) Beware of “false peaks”. As you approach the summit you will see several peaks. These are not Ontario Peak. Keep going. The trail is very easy to navigate. YOU MAY NOT KNOW: If you have an America the Beautiful Pass you can park your vehicle and enter any park or forest that has the word “National” at the beginning of the name. Examples; National Park, National Forest, Nation Recreation Area, etc.