○ 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

๐ŸŒค Trail Weather โ€” Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs ยท Trailhead coords
๐Ÿฅพ
Trail Ready
47ยฐF, Clear Sky. Layer for elevation. Summit conditions may differ from trailhead.
โ˜€๏ธ
47ยฐ
Clear Sky
Feels 47ยฐF
๐Ÿ’จ Wind
0 mph N
No significant gusts
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
66%
Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŒ… Sunrise
6:54 am
Ideal start time
๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset
6:19 pm
Off trail by this
Today โ€” 3-Hour Intervals
11 am
โ˜€๏ธ
47ยฐ
Feels 47ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 2/18
2 pm
โ˜€๏ธ
47ยฐ
Feels 46ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 4/22
5 pm
โ˜€๏ธ
49ยฐ
Feels 46ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 6/29
8 pm
๐ŸŒ™
42ยฐ
Feels 39ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 4/26
11 pm
๐ŸŒ™
38ยฐ
Feels 35ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 4/26
5-Day Forecast
โ˜€๏ธ
Today
Clear Sky
47ยฐF
feels 47ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
2/18 NNW
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
66% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
๐ŸŒ™
Wed, Oct 14
Clear Sky
37ยฐF
feels 33ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
4/24 NNE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
73% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐Ÿฅพ Acceptable โ€” Check Elevation
๐ŸŒ™
Thu, Oct 15
Clear Sky
41ยฐF
feels 38ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
5/26 NE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
58% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐Ÿฅพ Acceptable โ€” Check Elevation
๐ŸŒ™
Fri, Oct 16
Clear Sky
49ยฐF
feels 45ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
11/45 NE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
48% Comfortable
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐Ÿ’จ High Wind โ€” Avoid Exposed Ridges
๐ŸŒ™
Sat, Oct 17
Clear Sky
48ยฐF
feels 47ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
3/18 NE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
62% Humid โ€” heat feels stronger
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Oct 13, 10:07 am

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 โ€” 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 โ€” 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 โ€” Ice House Creek runs alongside lower trail. No water above 6,500 feet. Filter creek water.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Busy โ€” 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.