Ontario Peak (via Icehouse Canyon) | San Gabriel Mountains Trail Guide

Distance: 11.6 miles (out and back)	Elevation Gain: 3,688 feet	Peak Elevation: 8,693 feet
Objective: Hike Ontario Peak via Icehouse Canyon, San Gabriel Mountains, California		Difficulty: Strenuous

The San Gabriel Mountains have two parallel east-west ranges. The front range is to the south and overlooks Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. The northern back range is taller and goes from 6,000′ to 10,000′ with Baldy at the top. A general rule is to hike the front range in cooler seasons and the back range in warmer seasons. Nestled in the Cucamonga Wilderness, in the eastern end of the back range is Ontario Peak. The trail climbs Icehouse Canyon to Icehouse Saddle and reaches a ridgeline connecting Bighorn Peak to Ontario Peak. You can hike to either peak or both.

By Edward So, who has summited most of the peaks in the San Gabriel Mountains

Directions to Trailhead

Head east on the 210, and exit Baseline Road in Claremont. Turn left on Baseline Road. Turn right on Padua Avenue. In 1.7 miles, turn right onto Mt. Baldy Road. In 7.2 miles, go past Mt. Baldy Village. Continue 1.5 miles and turn right at Icehouse Canyon Road. The trailhead is at the far end of the parking lot.

Directions to Summit

Trailhead: The hike begins on Icehouse Canyon Trail.
1 mile: At the Chapman Trail junction, continue ahead on Icehouse Canyon Trail.
1.8 miles: There is a sign for the Cucamonga Wilderness.
2.4 miles: Columbine Spring is on the north slope above the canyon.
3 miles: At the second Chapman Trail junction, stay right on Icehouse Canyon Trail.
3.6 miles: At Icehouse Saddle, turn right and follow the Ontario Peak Trail.
4.3 miles: The trail crosses Kelly’s Camp.
4.8 miles: The trail climbs through some narrow shrubs to the ridgeline. (Bighorn is 0.75 miles to the east and Ontario is 1 mile to the west.) Turn right and follow the ridge to the summit.
5.8 miles: You have reached Ontario Peak. Turn around and head back.

Icehouse Canyon Trail

The creek-side Icehouse Canyon Trail is dotted with cabins; honey-scented, blue ceanothus; and covered with rocks and streams. At the start, there is a giant tree whose roots restrain giant boulders. The trail becomes rocky just before it crosses a dry riverbed. After crossing the creek and entering the Cucamonga Wilderness area, the trail gently climbs to a big rock. The way is long, steep, and gradual like a slide, but covered with stable little stones. The trail steadily climbs the side of the canyon until it begins to switchback like crazy below Icehouse Saddle.

Ontario Peak Trail

When you reach Icehouse Saddle, follow the right fork to Ontario Peak Trail. After 0.7 miles, the trail skirts the edge of Kelly’s Camp. For the next half mile, the pine needle covered trail hugs the slope. Climb through dense shrubs and over a couple logs up to the ridge. You will see a sign indicating Bighorn Peak is 0.75 miles to the east and Ontario is 1 mile to the west.

The ridge to Ontario

A mile-long hike along the ridge takes you to the summit of Ontario Peak. There are times when you want to just turn back before the top.

Ontario Peak

There are times when you want to just turn back before the top. Scramble on a pile of boulders. There is even a bottle opener in a tree to help you celebrate the views. From here, you can see all of the neighboring peaks.

Factoids

Ontario Peak is named for the Canadian province of the same name. The name Icehouse Canyon is from the 1860s when an ice plant in the lower canyon supplied ice to valley residents. The name still applies as a cold breeze often blows through the canyon.

Red Tape

Display your adventure pass. Fill out a Self-Service Wilderness Permit at the trailhead kiosk.

Interactive Map

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hike Ontario?

From Icehouse Canyon, most hikers complete the hike round trip in 8-10 hours as a strenuous day hike.

What is the elevation gain?

The route gains roughly 3,688 feet over 5.8 miles one-way to the 8,693-foot summit. It is one of the more demanding day hikes in Southern California and a great training hike for Whitney.

When is the best time to hike Ontario?

Late fall (September through November) or late spring (May through June) is the best time to hike Ontario Peak. This avoids the extreme heat of summer since there is little shade on the trail. In winter, there’s plenty of snow and ice along the ridgelines, which will require technical mountaineering skills, snowshoes, cramp-ons, and an ice axe. Avoid these conditions unless you are prepared.

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