Which is a better weekend backpacking trip: Icehouse Saddle to the 3 T's Trail to Timber and Telegraph Peaks or Icehouse Saddle to Cucamonga and Ontario Peaks?

Also, is anyone aware of the snow conditions up there right now?

Thanks!

I would say those are more dayhikes than weekend trips, that said Cedar Flats is a nice little spot for an overnight. You could do the 3 T's and then take the Chapman Trail back and overnight in Cedar Flats. Little to no snow left with the exception of a few spots between Telegraph and Thunder. I'm heading to do the Big Baldy loop tomorrow and will provide some more detailed info for you.

I appreciate the info!

After looking over the map, im planning to do the 3 T's one day and Cucamonga the next.

GreenMountainBoy wrote: I'm heading to do the Big Baldy loop tomorrow and will provide some more detailed info for you.

We're going to do part of that loop backwards in a few days so your timely report will be helpful. Thanks!

SurfinPeakScience wrote:I appreciate the info!

After looking over the map, im planning to do the 3 T's one day and Cucamonga the next.

Good choice; no reason to spend the night up there for a dayhike. I ran most of the 3 T's trail a couple of years ago in October.
While hitting up Cucamonga, go ahead and make a real day out of it and tag Etiwanda, Bighorn and Ontario. Dave and I did this one windy ass day just before a snow storm - 9 hrs car to car (we had a headwind).

In case you didn't already know, there's no water source on that ridge other than Columbine Spring below the saddle (and any snow you may run into). The spring at Kelly's Camp is still dry I believe. Hope you run into some big horn sheep like I did last fall (on Ontario-Big Horn ridge).

was just there yesterday, snow is almost entirely gone. still some in the notch between Thunder and Telegraph as expected, very easily avoided.

outdoorabstract, the route is in great shape. you'll find some snow on the upper reaches of the bear canyon trail beneath westy baldy that is unavoidable but very easily travelled. no gear necessary at this time....i don't envy you descending bear canyon, i typically avoid that descent route at all costs!

GreenMountainBoy wrote: i typically avoid that descent route at all costs!

Just thinking about descending that way makes my knee hurt. We're actually doing just part of it with a car shuttle. I figured there might be snow north of the 3Ts on the east facing slopes...