○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
7.2 miRound Trip
2,600 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
4-6 hoursEst. Time
7,820 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Ice House Canyon Trail to Icehouse Saddle

🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
🥾
Trail Ready
54°F, Clear Sky. Layer for elevation. Summit conditions may differ from trailhead.
🌙
54°
Clear Sky
Feels 52°F
💨 Wind
5 mph W
No significant gusts
💧 Humidity
61%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:26 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
7:13 pm
Off trail by this
5-Day Forecast
🌙
Sat, Sep 5
Clear Sky
52°F
feels 49°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/2 SSW
💧 Humidity
59% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Sun, Sep 6
Scattered Clouds
57°F
feels 54°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/3 S
💧 Humidity
43% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
47% Partly cloudy
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Mon, Sep 7
Clear Sky
52°F
feels 51°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/2 SW
💧 Humidity
89% High humidity — pace yourself
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🟡 Warm & Humid — Extra Water
🌙
Tue, Sep 8
Clear Sky
57°F
feels 54°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/2 SSW
💧 Humidity
46% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
2% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Wed, Sep 9
Broken Clouds
60°F
feels 57°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/1 NW
💧 Humidity
34% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
74% Mostly cloudy
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Sep 4, 11:35 pm

A pristine river-fed canyon through ancient cedar and pine groves with a year-round running creek. Historic stone cabins line the route before rugged switchbacks climb to the massive alpine saddle connecting multiple major peaks.

Trail Overview

Ice House Canyon is one of the most beautiful lower-elevation forests in the San Gabriels. The creek runs year-round and the cedar canopy is extraordinary. Historic stone cabins along the trail are private property. The climb to Icehouse Saddle is relentless in the final mile. Snow is common above 6,000 feet from November through March — check conditions and bring traction devices in winter.

This Hike Is For You If…

Experienced hikers comfortable with sustained steep climbing. Front-country peak baggers using the saddle as a base. Winter hikers with appropriate gear.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip in summer without a very early start. Check for snow and ice conditions in winter before attempting without traction devices.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Good trail lower section following creek. Rocky and steep on upper switchbacks. Potential for ice and snow October through April.

Shade: Mostly Shaded

Water: Reliable Year-Round. Ice House Creek runs alongside lower trail. No water above 6,500 feet. Filter creek water.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Popular Mt. Baldy area trail. Weekends fill lot early. Weekdays manageable.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 7:30am on weekends. The lot is small and overflow parking is limited.

This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

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7.2 miRound Trip
2600 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
4-6 hoursEst. Time
7820 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Ice House Canyon Trailhead, Ice House Canyon Road, Mt. Baldy, CA 91759
Parking: Dirt lot at trailhead. Adventure Pass required. Fills by 8am on weekends. Arrive before 7:30am.
Bathroom: Pit Toilet
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 7:30am on weekends. The lot is small and overflow parking is limited.

Trail Reality Check

Ice House Canyon is one of the most beautiful lower-elevation forests in the San Gabriels. The creek runs year-round and the cedar canopy is extraordinary. Historic stone cabins along the trail are private property. The climb to Icehouse Saddle is relentless in the final mile. Snow is common above 6,000 feet from November through March — check conditions and bring traction devices in winter.

Terrain: Good trail lower section following creek. Rocky and steep on upper switchbacks. Potential for ice and snow October through April.
Shade: Mostly Shaded
Water: Reliable Year-Round — Ice House Creek runs alongside lower trail. No water above 6,500 feet. Filter creek water.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Busy — Popular Mt. Baldy area trail. Weekends fill lot early. Weekdays manageable.
Who should do this: Experienced hikers comfortable with sustained steep climbing. Front-country peak baggers using the saddle as a base. Winter hikers with appropriate gear.
Who should skip this: Skip in summer without a very early start. Check for snow and ice conditions in winter before attempting without traction devices.