Icehouse Canyon II

2/27/10  Back to Icehouse Canyon, only this time with company. My Dad joined me for 2700' of elevation gain in about 8 miles, in rain then heavy snow, with temperatures down to 19 degrees. Another fun day!
IMG_0858 This time around my dad wanted to join me to try out some trekking and snowshoeing. We had been trying to find a day with good snow, and trying to decide on a...
This time around my dad wanted to join me to try out some trekking and snowshoeing. We had been trying to find a day with good snow, and trying to decide on a…
IMG_0861 One of the crazier looking creatures that I have ever seen. This thing is about 3 or 4 inches long and is slowly crawling across the snow. It is either super...
One of the crazier looking creatures that I have ever seen. This thing is about 3 or 4 inches long and is slowly crawling across the snow. It is either super…
IMG_0863 For some reason, today was a popular trekking day in the canyon. We saw more people today than in all my other treks combined. But it does make things mentally...
For some reason, today was a popular trekking day in the canyon. We saw more people today than in all my other treks combined. But it does make things mentally…
MVI_0869 As we near Icehouse Saddle, the wind is howling, it is snowing heavily, we are in near whiteout conditions, and the temperature is in the low 20s. You couldn't...
As we near Icehouse Saddle, the wind is howling, it is snowing heavily, we are in near whiteout conditions, and the temperature is in the low 20s. You couldn't…
IMG_0864 Dad ascending up out of Icehouse Canyon almost to the saddle.
Dad ascending up out of Icehouse Canyon almost to the saddle.
MVI_0868_ROT A look at my dad making is way up a section of trail near the saddle. I think he would agree that climbing uphill in fresh powder is tough work!
A look at my dad making is way up a section of trail near the saddle. I think he would agree that climbing uphill in fresh powder is tough work!
IMG_0872 We made it to the trail marker on Icehouse Saddle. The wind is pretty fierce up here on the ridge and you can't stand comfortably in one place for very long....
We made it to the trail marker on Icehouse Saddle. The wind is pretty fierce up here on the ridge and you can't stand comfortably in one place for very long.…
IMG_0873 We take shelter behind a tree from the wind and driving snow.
We take shelter behind a tree from the wind and driving snow.
IMG_0876 A look at another group on the saddle taking shelter behind a tree. And to think we are less than an hour away from the urban sprawl.
A look at another group on the saddle taking shelter behind a tree. And to think we are less than an hour away from the urban sprawl.
MVI_0877 A video version of the same group on the saddle gives some idea of the wind and snow conditions.
A video version of the same group on the saddle gives some idea of the wind and snow conditions.
IMG_0878 We head a couple hundred feet towards Timber Mtn. and decide that will be as far as we go for the day. No one has gone past the saddle and we are breaking our...
We head a couple hundred feet towards Timber Mtn. and decide that will be as far as we go for the day. No one has gone past the saddle and we are breaking our…
IMG_0879 The tracks that were inches deep on the way up are already almost invisible from all the new snowfall.
The tracks that were inches deep on the way up are already almost invisible from all the new snowfall.
IMG_0881 A look at my nifty Kestrel weather meter that measure temperature, wind speed, and the resulting wind chill. It is currently 21.1 degrees including wind chill,...
A look at my nifty Kestrel weather meter that measure temperature, wind speed, and the resulting wind chill. It is currently 21.1 degrees including wind chill,…
IMG_0888 Everything is much whiter on the way back down. Absolutely beautiful conditions.
Everything is much whiter on the way back down. Absolutely beautiful conditions.
IMG_0884 Dad on the way back down.
Dad on the way back down.
IMG_0889 Dad after a mini wipeout. He only had a few small wipeouts for the day though. He did very well!
Dad after a mini wipeout. He only had a few small wipeouts for the day though. He did very well!
IMG_0891 A rare picture of me on the trail.
A rare picture of me on the trail.
IMG_0895 An awesome dog that was on the trail together with his owner. Notice the little doggie snow boots.
An awesome dog that was on the trail together with his owner. Notice the little doggie snow boots.
IMG_0899 No this is not some cool Photoshop filter, the blur is from the condensation in my camera, probably caused by evaporation as we move back down to warmer...
No this is not some cool Photoshop filter, the blur is from the condensation in my camera, probably caused by evaporation as we move back down to warmer…
IMG_0904 A cabin overlooking the creek in Icehouse Canyon. This part of the canyon is not in the Cucamonga Wilderness and has private properties. This one is currently...
A cabin overlooking the creek in Icehouse Canyon. This part of the canyon is not in the Cucamonga Wilderness and has private properties. This one is currently…