Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Ice House Canyon

Anyone been up Ice House Canyon(MtBaldy)lately? Looking for trail conditions to both Ontario Peak and Cucomonga Peak.Obviously there is still alot of snow, just wondering if anyone has stomped out a trail yet and if the snow is firm or not.

I read a recent report that the avalanche area in Icehouse Canyon still has snow 12 to 15 feet deep. Sorry, I can't remember where I saw that. You might try posting your question in the Southern California Mountains section of

http://www.mt-whitney.info/

Go to the Outdoors section of yesterday's Los Angeles Times. They had a report on the storm damage to a lot of the trails in Southern California.

Went up Ice House 3/20. Yes, lots of snow close to where you leave the creek on the way up. Starts about where the signs are where you fill out the trip report as I recall.

There is a pretty impressive snow bank at the creek, it's about 12' tall. I think the height is increased because the earth under it adds to it's shape. But it's a tall knarly wall of lumpy avalanche snow that looks like it has been cut vertical by the creek. Sierra Nevada cement my friend called it.

I think it was around Lost Creek per my Harrison Map.

I'd post a snapshot, but I don't think you can do that here.

From the avalanche area on up to the saddle is pretty much all snow. The trail is invisible, people just snowshoe up the ravine to the saddle.

GC

If you are going to bypass the avalanche head down to the creek between the wilderness sign and the avalanche. Work your way up the creek bed until you are on the far side of the avalanche then leave the creek.

Another way to get to Ontario would be up Lost Creek Canyon. This would eventually put you above Kelly Camp. A GPS would come in handy for this route. It's really beautiful up this canyon.

I would imagine the way back to Cucamonga Saddle is a bit dicey.