First CEBO in Cucamonga Wilderness

[Ellen]

Howdy All

This was the first time that Sally and I hiked Cucamonga, Etiwanda, Big Horn and Ontario (CEBO). We got an early start and arrived at Cucamonga after about 3 hours, then followed the use trail over to what would be our first summit of Etiwanda. The use trail passed through a lovely forest and offered dramatic views of steep cliffs on the south side of the ridge -- we even passed a chute that reminded us of the Dragon's Maw.

We ate brunch and enjoyed the views from Etiwanda. On our way back towards Cucamonga, we found the trail that allowed us to bypass the summit. Rejoined the summit trail and dropped down to the saddle between Cucamonga and Bighorn. As we started up Bighorn, the biting flies found me and I stopped to apply DEET. Climbing up Bighorn was probably the warmest ascent of the day -- I continually had to wipe sweat out of my eyes.

Once on Bighorn, we followed the use trail over to Ontario. I'd forgotten the long traverse -- everytime we rounded a bend, I expected to see Ontario only to be disappointed. The peak actually seemed to be getting further away instead of closer It was a relief to finally see Ontario and climb up the switchbacks to the summit. As soon as we sat down for lunch, a flock of Swallow-tail butterflies started flying around us -- they seemed to be mesmerized by Sally's pink daypack.

Although we weren't relishing the descent, at least we were done with the ups and downs of peak bagging. Got back to our cars after nearly 11 hours and celebrated with excellent food at PF Changs in Rancho Cucamonga.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

That's a whole lotta hiking. And, yeah, some of the S and E faces around Cuca and Eti are really steep.

HJ

[arocknoid]

That is a great hike, and some parts are still to be enjoyed with few visitors. I spent a night up there last week, added Timber, Telegraph, Thunder on the way out (also Harwood and Baldy).

Convenient H2O at Columbine Spring saves at least *some* schlepping, not to mention the water tastes as magnificent as always.

Pre-dawn TH start to avoid throngs on ICH, some of whom lately are constantly using FRS and GMRS in speaker mode of all things, fer cryin' out loud. I'd rather hear cryin' out loud, than their convos. "STFU or GTFOOH," sez Uncle Wally. But he cray-cray.

Saw a bobcat at twenty yards, but she slipped away 'twixt the stinkapin just before the camera powered up to ready mode. Slinky.

The stretch along the ridgeline from Bighorn to Ontario has sections with numerous hummingbird populations. If one hangs out at the marker at the saddle for any length of time you're almost sure to see them rocketing up from the south escarpment to hover and feed, and check out their reflections in sunglasses. AMHIK.

DEET is anathema in sweaty conditions (though I do still have some blended in Iguana sunblock--but it's too prone for inadvertently finding its way into sweat-dripped eyes. ) For me those flies are more trouble for getting into eyes/nose/mouth/ears; bites are pesky but few.

Someone stole the Telegraph summit sign, which was there two weeks ago. The ".25 mile" wooden sign--the arrowed sign is still there, and someone leaned the old metal yellow sign up agains a tree. Bugs me that someone would take that as a souvenir or trophy... (BTW Which is how the replacement Cucamonga summit sign came to be, after theft. At least that old summit sign was 'brokedown,' at that point, but still.)

Mo' betta beta, but I betta PM dat, Ellen.

kind regards,
Arocknoid

[Sally]

If you want to see some beautiful terrain, and don't mind hiking all day (23 miles?) this is the hike to take! I REALLY loved the ruggedness and the trace trail between Cucamonga and Etiwanda Peaks (and I saw some great places to pitch a tent up there too, arocknoid.)

Too bad my car got nailed by a huge chunk of flying tire tread on my way home! Not to worry, though, Ellen - I didn't get hurt and I will have a rental car to use while my car is in the shop next week.

Here are the pics from our long hike:

https://picasaweb.google.com/1009477359 ... directlink

[Hikin_Jim]

Flying chunks of tire? Not good. Glad you're OK.

Great pics as always.


HJ

[Ellen]

Howdy Sister Sally

Holy [explative deleted] -- I am so glad you're OK

Who thought that driving could be more dangerous than hiking up Falling Girl canyon.

From the heart,
Ellen

[Hikin_Jim]

Who thought that driving could be more dangerous than hiking up Falling Girl canyon.

That's what I tell my friends who get all freaked out by what I do: "Hey, YOU drive on the freeway everyday. Now, that's dangerous!"

HJ

[Sally]

I've been telling concerned friends that for years, HJ. With freeways you can be happily rolling along when, out of nowhere, its coming right at you and BAM! it's all over.

With hiking you're in control to some extent, and if you get screwed up you usually get a chance to fix it. There are a few exceptions like getting flattened by a falling tree or struck by lightning, but that can also happen in your own back yard.

[arocknoid]

Sally:

Too bad my car got nailed by a huge chunk of flying tire tread on my way home!

Yikes--glad you are unscathed, though the car repair is a hassle.

Nice photos, Sally. The steep escarpment makes for great views of the flatlands.

In the last couple of years, people have been making more and larger campfires on Cucamonga, unfortunately. They've also burned up some of the picturesque deadwood landscape, and even some of the best "sitting" logs. They've also been building fires right up against large rock formations. Sigh...

Travel to and from our hikes has more peril and risk than the hikes themselves. (Who'da thunk that road debris alone is responsible for 25,000 MVAs and 100 deaths annually in the U.S!)


Stay safe out there, and good luck with the car repair.
kind regards,
Arocknoid

[arocknoid]

Rock fires on Cuca:



In the gloaming of Etiwanda, looking north (last pic of the day as darkness fell). Thankfully no biting bugs, but the tent was welcome.



(classic movie quote for Ellen, with James Gandolfini tribute: "They say the smog is the reason we have such beautiful sunsets!")

Hang on:




cheers