June Interlude: Into the Icehouse

You know, in spite of its name, Icehouse Canyon can be a bear of a hike during the hottest days of summer. Even though shade is never far away between trailhead and saddle, lets face it, all that uphill is going to make you sweat. Throwing in a good ninety-plus degree day easily turns it into a bear; I was more than happy that this day dawned cooler than the last couple. As you may know, Icehouse Canyon can be super crowded on weekend days, and that, more than anything is the whole of the reason why I take these interludes on Fridays. That the hike starts twenty minutes away is a huge bonus, and makes it a favored destination when I don't want to spend time driving.

Anyway...

if you know me you also probably know that conversation, small talk, is not my strong suit; I am more a do person rather than a talk person, much to the chagrin of the mrs. who does like to exercise her vocal cords. So, when we hit the trail the same time another hiker set out, and she and the mrs. (Tamera) hit it off right away, I was like, wow, this is perfect. Why didn't I think of this before - we both get to hike, but I get to just go at my pace, not saying anything to anyone except an occasional hello to another hiker, and T gets to hike with someone who also enjoys a good conversation. All I have to do is stop once in a while to make sure everything behind is good. Which it seemed to be all the way from trailhead to saddle. 

So, thank you Cheryl (if indeed that is how her name is spelled). It was a pleasure to meet and hike (sort of) with you, and I can guarantee your company made Tamera's day better. 

Anyway...

After resting a moment at Icehouse Saddle we continued along the trail to Cucamonga Peak just far enough along to reach the - if you thought you were going to read "mine" at this point you would be correct. I mean, really, how many of these interludes lately have not involved one mine or another? Not many. The mine in question, and there are two adits one above the other right off the trail was a copper mine and, identified on Lost Mines of Southern California, as the Lytle Creek Mine. There is still much malachite visible in the waste rock outside the portals. I never would have been so bold as to call the souvenirs that we picked up malachite, if not for the fact that we ran into a geology professor and a couple students on our way back down. The professor with his rock hammer, camera, note pad and other minor equipage and one student with a "rockaholic" tee shirt were accoutered with clear indicators as to their area of interest. The professor was clearly knowledgeable of the region, and when T showed him her piece of green rock, he said malachite. So there you go, clearly it helps to have a geologist on your Friday hike.

columbines at their usual spot

don't think i have ever hiked Icehouse Canyon and not seen an older Asian gentleman hiking slow but steady up the trail. if i ever get to a point where i can't ride my bikes anymore...

switchback

tamera loved the corkscrew tree

outside the lower portal

green vein

upper and lower portals

tail end

no hike through Icehouse would be complete without at least one ruin photo

tamera through the giant cedars

Between the great company, the interesting folks on the trail, the fantastic high mountain scenery, the native bumblebee buzzing around just in front of me, the babbling brook, cool breeze, and the solitary rattler who slithered off trail to make way for us, it was an very fine day.

Hope you get to find an equally good day this weekend. If one doesn't volunteer, get out and make it happen.

success!