Icehouse Canyon, Mt Baldy, Angeles National Forest, California, USA
I first visited Icehouse Canyon in 1973 at age 13 with my Junior High Schools Hiking Club. It was actually a Backpacking trip on a weekend. The 8th grade teacher that led our group of eight students, (3 girls, 5 boys) was an experienced Backpacker and member of the Sierra Club. He was also very good at pushing my frail weak, out of breath self up 4 miles of trails.
I remember that the first mile was fairly easy and breathtakingly beautiful. There was one cabin that stuck on my mind. Maybe about half way up the lower canyon area as I recall... there was the most beautiful large cabin on the other side of the river up high on the side of the canyon slope... that had an actual waterfall flowing down around and below the cabin. I never saw or found that cabin ever again, I don't know what happened to it. It must have been the Spring time for that tributary stream to flow like that.
The second and third mile was a total nightmare for me. I carried canned food in my backpack. (Unknown by the Leader until we camped for the night) He tried to encourage me to hike at a slow steady pace and sip my water and suck on hard candy to give me energy. I almost choked o the candy because I was trying to just breeeeathe. Up up up those switchbacks I went. A Troop of twenty Boy Scouts passed me up, much younger than I, bragging about how heavy their backpacks were.
Finally I made it to Icehouse Saddle! I was assured that it was only one more mile to KELLY's CAMP and it was an easy tromp. As we arrived at KELLEY's Camp we were dismayed to find the entire campground had been claimed by a Troop of Boy Scouts. We had a permit and made them move over so we could set up our campsite.
Then as I was out of water and so thirsty I was told that I would have to boil the well water before drinking it! So as I boiled my water I removed all my cans of food. I had canned Beans, Vienna Sausages, Corned Beef Hash and more Vienna Sausages.....Well everyone had a good laugh and I was reprimanded for bringing heavy canned food, Corned Beef Hash happened to be my teachers favorite thing, soooo my teacher/leader proceeded to trade me for the Corned Beef Hash. I forgot what food he gave me in exchange. I then made some hot chocolate with the rest of my boiled water and we threw our sleeping bags on the ground and slept well.
The next day they all went on a hike except for yours truly. I stood guard at camp while 20 Boy Scouts ran around playing and climbing trees and performing there tasks. I explored the cabins there at Kellys Camp. I think there were 3 still standing, one with no roof.
If I had known more about nutrition, conditioning hikes before an actual Backpack, and light weight nutrition, I could have been more prepared and would have enjoyed the trip so much more. I am thankful for the education we can find on the internet and classes that REI has for Outdoor Sports for beginners and all Hikers.
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1976 - I went back to Ice House Canyon again with my High School Hiking Club. I was much more prepared, plus Mr Barsch was very experienced and taught us much about Backpacking. We went on a weekend Backpack almost every month. Besides Tennis, Backpacking was my main sport. I could never locate that exact Cabin with the Waterfall under it...
2009 - I went on several hikes in Icehouse Canyon, dragging along my son who is not really into hiking but he is a wonderful son nonetheless.
2011 - Started hiking Icehouse Canyon on a regular basis, maybe twice a month. I usually only make it as far as the Spring two miles up. On July 12, 2011, I was at the spring having my snack and another hiker talked me into going all the way UP to Icehouse Saddle! That is 3.6 miles total with 2600 elevation gain. Not what I am used to anymore but I have wanted to test my endurance since I had not been up there since 1976.
It took me over an hour to make it up the last 1.6 miles of switchbacks, in the direct sun, may I add. When I got there all the hikers that had been passing me up cheered as I huffed and puffed my way to a log to rest on. I drank some of my Gatorade and water, ate a snack and sat there dreading the decent back down the mountain. My left foot was throbbing and I had the beginnings of blisters on both heels. I decided that I would stop at the spring halfway down to soak my feet in the cold water. I was so out of breath, I thought I'd never get it back. I also had a headache and my hands were swollen. I got my camera out to take a picture of myself at the saddle and discovered that the batteries were dead! I then got my video camera out and videotaped the saddle area and sign posts.
After resting 20 minutes I started down the trail, 3.6 miles, I dreaded the thought of 3.6 miles more to get back to my car. My feet and toes started throbbing again, My right knee started to hurt as well. I just kept trudging down the trail as best I could. I got to the spring, where fresh spring water flows right out of the side of the mountain, and soaked my aching feet. I had forgotten my moleskin and bandages in the car on this hike. The first and only time I had forgotten them. The natural spring did wonders for my feet! The next mile down was not so bad. Only my right knee was paining me slightly. I let myself enjoy the scenery while hiking down. I got back to the car in half the time it took me to get up....duh...
We learn a little more on each hike as we realize what our limits are.
I enjoy sharing my experience with others as much as I love learning from my fellow hiking enthusiasts.
