Family Hiking Adventure Up Icehouse Canyon
Yesterday, we hit the trail. Loaded up our backpacks and got out the door early in the morning to head up to Icehouse Canyon, one of our favorite trails in the Angeles National Forest. The weather was perfect for a day in the canyon - not too cool, not too warm - and the skies were gorgeous and clear up in the San Gabriels.
Icehouse is a 7.5 mile round-trip hike (2,700 foot elevation gain) from the base of the trail to Icehouse Saddle. From there, you can choose many options to increase the length, with additional trails ranging from less than a mile further, to 5+ miles that takes you to Mt. Baldy. We hiked to the saddle, had some delicious PB&J sandwiches (they never taste quite so delicious, as they do in the middle of a hike, do they?) and spent some time exploring and talking to other hikers.
The scenery on this hike is gorgeous. There are tall peaks all around you, with ridges that beautifully border the blue sky (yay, blue skies...no smog for a day!). One of the most beautiful features is the creek that runs alongside the trail for the first half of the hike. It was strongly flowing yesterday, given the time of year. The sounds of the water moving and the cool misty air is such a welcome addition to an already enjoyable trek. We stopped off several times to sit down on the rocks and enjoy the waterfalls that ran throughout that segment.
The trail is lined with cedars, pines, oaks, alder and fir trees, as well as huge yucca plants that were in full bloom yesterday. Another charming feature of Icehouse are the old (and newer) cabins that line the early part of the trail. There was a massive flood in 1938, that wiped out many of the original cabins, so as you walk there are still remnants of several chimneys and foundations of the cabins that were never rebuilt. The kids had fun climbing through some of them and exploring the old staircases and empty, open rooms.
For our first hike of the season together, it couldn’t have been better. The kids were all enthusiastic and total troopers during the more challenging and steeper parts of the climb. They really enjoyed exploring and seemed to really appreciate the beautiful setting. Steve and I love this trail and though we enjoy venturing to many other locations to hike, we return to Icehouse often because it’s such a fantastic mix of elements.
It was such a fun day away from “it all” in such an incredible setting; and of course, nothing beats spending a day with my family and watching, learning, and appreciating their fantastic-ness. I can’t wait for the next climb.