Cedar Glen

My friend Brent and I hiked to Cedar Glen on friday. Cedar Glen is a trail camp along the Chapman Trail in the San Gabriel mountains, that is accessed through Ice House Canyon near Mt. Baldy. The purpose was to check out the camp to see if it would be a candidate for family oriented over nite backpacking trips.

Starting at the Ice House Canyon trail head, you head north along the stream for about 3/4 of a mile. Eventually, you will get to a point where two signs are posted, one for the Ice House canyon trail that leads to Ice House Saddle (2.6 miles) and another on the west (left) side of the trail that marks the trial head for the Chapman trail. Chapman trail was named after John "Johnny Appleseed" Champan. This trail also gets to Ice House Saddle, but adds 1.7 miles to that trip. Approximately 1.8 miles up that trail is Cedar Glen Trail camp.


The trail was relatively easy, although I was sick when I did it so it seemed harder that it really was. Most of the trail is through sparcely vegitated forest of mostly sugar pines and chaparrel. Occassionally you will see a cedar or white fir. Not too far up the trail you will come to the 1 mile marker, at which you will find a curious open space that could easily be used for a group trail camp. Between the 1 and 2 mile markers, there is a small stretch, less than 1/4 mile, of exposed south facing trail. This part can be hot in the sun, so bring protection. After the 2 mile marker, you will encounter a lot of greenary, vines and berries, and some poison oak. You will come to a small brook, which is the only source of water on the trail. If you are staying overnight at the camp, then stop here and filter some water. Continuing up the trail you will get to a sharp right turn marked by a sign at the apex. This is the entry to the well protected and comfortably located Cedar Glen trail camp. The camp itself is nothing special. There is no water, no facilites, and no campfires allowed, although we did find a fire ring that was large enough to roast a wild pig. From the camp, you can continue up the trail toward the saddle, but you will need a wilderness permit for any part of the trail after the camp, as the camp sits just outside the wilderness boundary.


Comments welcome.