Permits have been required for the Cucamonga Wilderness for some time but the limit now is 12. Since these peaks are often led, I got only 2 permits and hoped that less than 24 would show up. Fortunately, I was right but for a while I was getting concerned. A small group showed up 7 am in Pomona and more met us at Icehouse Canyon Trailhead. We started off around 7:45 with 18 but as we went along our group size steadily increased to 22!
This trail is being reworked and we passed the camp of the workers who are fortunately being paid. Scarlet Columbine and monkey flowers were blooming profusely in riparian areas while penstemons and fuchsias covered the drier slopes. Recovery from the Baldy fire 8 years ago is proceeding slowly, hampered by drought and smog.
We split into 2 groups to be in compliance with wilderness regulations as well as being a less imposing force on other wilderness users. The first contingent reached the summit of Cucamonga after 11 and the others were not far behind.
Just after noon, we left and headed down to Etiwanda reaching it 30 minutes later. After a nice break on top, we returned the same way.
Thanks to Frank for co-leading and to Charlie Knapke who led the 2nd group most of the way.
