Bighorn Peak

Bighorn Peak is an often overlooked peak sandwiched between Cucamonga and Ontario Peaks and just above Icehouse Saddle. Named in honor of the rarely seen bighorn sheep, it is a great add on to your Cucamonga and/or Ontario Peak hikes and it has a great view south through the valley between those two bigger peaks.

Route 1 ascends the always beautiful Icehouse Canyon Trail to Icehouse Saddle, then continuing west on the trail to Ontario Peak. Shortly beyond the historic ruins of Kelly’s Camp a sometimes difficult to spot use trail turns south then west to reach the ridge between Ontario and Bighorn, then roughly follows the ridge to the summit. There are two other more challenging ways to climb Bighorn. From the saddle one can head in the direction of Cucamonga Peak. After about 100 yards a use trail zig zags up the brushy slope to the east ridge and then to the peak. One can also continue further to Cucamonga Saddle, where the trail begins to go up the side of Cucamonga. At that saddle (before the one big tree there), turn right and follow the steep use trail up to the top. This area is VERY dangerous in winter conditions. The trails to both Cucamonga Peak and Ontario Peak are in the shade most of the day and they turn into sheets of ice. Do not underestimate this danger, your life depends on it.