Leaving the trail behind in Icehouse Canyon.
Sharon and I in Icehouse Canyon.
About a mile from returning to the trailhead on hike #22, I asked Sharon if she’d want to go on another hike.
“Right now?” she asked.
“Yup!”
“Sure! Let’s do it!”
So after breakfast at Corner Bakery and a quick stop at my apartment to pick up some trail maps, we were off to the second hike of the day: Icehouse Canyon near Baldy Village in the Angeles National Forest. We both had hazy recollections of being in this area before (on separate occasions), but sometimes all mountain towns look alike. We passed through the village and parked at the Icehouse Canyon trailhead. The 50-car lot was near maximum capacity, but this was expected: there’s been some really good reviews of this canyon trail. I was convinced to add it to my list after reading Casey’s trail report on his site, ModernHiker.com. The way he wrote about his enjoyment of his trip was palpable and I was looking at getting me some of it.
We started the hike on the trail, but it was heavily congested. At the first opportunity, we veered right and started boulder hopping up the canyon close to the water. Although the trail wasn’t more than 100 feet away at all times, this route offered solitude and excitement. I love crossing creeks and having to decide which “route” of rocks to hop over to get to the other side. This trek required a lot of the same sort of decision making. Do I walk on the log or around the bushes? Is there a way through that thicket or should we retrace our steps a bit and try a different route? Uh oh, stinging nettle! Let’s go this way instead.
It took us about an hour to move up the canyon. We were heeded not only because of the terrain but also the sights. Small 4-5 foot waterfalls seemed to be found around every bend. Cabins in every condition dotted both sides of the stream as well. We saw owners sitting on their porches, sipping ice tea and reading the newspaper. We also saw just hulls of what once was a cabin, just the stones of the walls remained. My favorite was a ruin that had just the fireplace and the metal objects that have rusted but remained: two spring beds, a water heater, plumbing, and an oven. The house might have burned/washed away, but the furnishings remained in the forest.
We had to get back onto the trail and the traffic that came with it, so our adventure should end on a good note. We turned around when we got to the Chapman trailhead. It was a great hike and I hope to go back soon to make it up to the saddle, but hopefully it will be less crowded.
Thoughts about the hike:
- There are a few cabins for sale for around 30k.
Resources:
Hike #23 Trip GPS Stats:
- Date of hike: July 3rd, 2009
- Location: Eaton Canyon, Altadena, California
- Length: 3.1 miles
- Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
- Average speed: ±1.1 mph
- Altitude at start: 4,935 feet
- Altitude min.max: 4,935/5,682 feet
This map was made with the data my GPS captured on the hike.
For a more detailed trip report map, check this out.
Photos:
Sharon at the trailhead.
The radial blur on this photo was unintentional. I jerked the camera accidentally while taking the photo.
One of the many waterfalls in the canyon.
Stinging nettle! Nasty stuff if you rub up against it. Although it was everywhere on the hike, we didn't have any interactions with this devil plant.
I know I blogged about retiring these boots months ago, but it wasn't meant to be. I'll blog soon about how I just recently ended the search for good on replacing these well-trodden boots.
Action shot!
It needs a little work, but this cabin might be a great weekend retreat.
Sharona, Queen of the Jungle!
LADYBUG SWARM!! Last time I saw a swarm of ladybug beetles, it was 1993. I've been hoping to see another one ever since. I was so excited!
More beetles.
It's a strange sensation holding so many beetles.
Was this photo taken recently or 90 years ago? Hard to tell, isn't it?
Did someone knock?
#1 by Casey on August 3, 2009 - 9:12 pm
So glad you went off-trail and explored the creek for a while. One of the best ways to explore and experience this amazing canyon, right?
#2 by Shawnté on August 4, 2009 - 10:02 pm
My friend Rebecca and I are both avid readers of your site – we'd love to tag along for a hike sometime!
If you haven't already, you should definitely get further up Icehouse Canyon, through the Cucamonga Wilderness area – we've done it a few times and there are some excellent options when you get up to Icehouse Saddle, as long as you can keep yourself going after all of the switchbacks & elevation gain on the way up! We've done Timber Mtn. & Cucamonga Peak, and the latter was a super butt-kicker, but totally worth it. Our usual mantra to keep ourselves going is this:
“In-N-Out”
(repeat as often as necessary)
#3 by Kolby on August 5, 2009 - 11:20 pm
Right! It was certainly a lot slower than taking the trail, but much more fun! Thanks for the suggestion!
#4 by Kolby on August 5, 2009 - 11:21 pm
Right! It was certainly a lot slower than taking the trail, but this was much more fun! Thanks for the suggestion!
#5 by Kolby on August 5, 2009 - 11:24 pm
Haha! Your blog should be named “Crazy Hijinks.” Please don't die on your next hike – I like the writing and want to see more of it!
Funny enough, after reading your perilous hiking report, I found this in the newest issue of Backpacker (Sept 09). They must have heard your story, too!
http://www.100hikes.com/temp/intoosteep.jpg
#6 by Shawnté on August 6, 2009 - 12:47 pm
Oh, man – if we had only seen that days before descending into near-madness…le sigh. Perhaps I'll have it printed onto T-shirts, so when we need to make a decision, we just look at one another and follow the flowchart. “Oh, we don't want to end up like that little guy with the X's where his eyes should be – let's try a different route.” Ed would approve, I'm sure.
#7 by MCDForm on August 10, 2009 - 6:49 pm
Great review, we hiked this today thanks to you and Modern Hiker. Great weather, water and cabins were awesome and not to crowded. We ran into a rattlesnake that was camped right on the trail at the Wilderness sign, this was a few minutes after I reminded my wife that she'd never seen a rattler.
How does one go about buying a cabin? Those are pretty sweet!
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#8 by mountainlaurel on October 23, 2009 - 11:14 am
Hello, love your photos and the description of your hike. I have one of the cabins in Icehouse Canyon. As you know, the cabins are rare, endangered species dating from another era. Owning one is a well kept secret. However, there are several owners who are aging and no longer able to hike up here and others who have moved away. If any of your readers have any questions, I would be glad to answer them.
#9 by paula on November 5, 2009 - 6:43 pm
Hey there mountainlaurel,
If you know anyone who is willing to rent an icehouse cabin any information would be great, my husband and I have been looking but no luck so far. Thanks! paula.castleman@yahoo.com