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So this is for those days when you need to get away from noise, people, clubs, alcohol, and concrete. For those days when you want to treat your body to cleaner oxygen, and your mind to a bit of peace. For those days when you'd like to entertain what your life would be like without so many distractions; or wonder how many books you would have written if you only lived in that hidden house in the woods.

For those of you with kids, it is also for those days when you want to help them connect with nature. To run, climb and touch what used to be so accessible to the older generations, and sadly so hidden from the new ones. And by the way, such connection is needed. Did you happen to read this? http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/raisingkids/nature.htm

The Ice House Canyon, with its three trails, is as long a hike as you may want to make it. It is at the very end of the road up to Mt. Baldy. All you have to do is drive straight up there, passed the village, passed the Lodges, until you get to one final parking lot. That's where you'll see the sign.

For the first half a mile into the canyon, the trail is only "ok", human doing, as usual. Many trees are carved with names, initials and stupid hearts, and several large rocks are spray painted. Thankfully, [apparently taggers are lazy], by the second half of the mile the trail turns just beautiful, green, cool, damped, and with the sounds of the river running all along it. The water is clear, the trees so tall they'll make you wonder how much longer they've been around than yourself. And if you pay attention, you'll see more living creatures than just your fellow hikers, perhaps some squirrels or a group of humongous ants!

All you need is an Adventure Pass to park up there. It is sold at the gas stations down the mountain, or at the shops at Baldy Village. It's only $5 that will go towards keeping the area clean.

That, plus a bottle of water because coming back is easier than going up hill!

Go up there. I think you'll love it. Your kids will love it! My daughter found a favorite spot and christened it "Riverton II". Second to her christened "Riverton I", which she found in one of Washington State's Parks with her father, on their last vacation.

It is a great hike. And once you are done lifting your spirits and giving your heart a reason to pump, you can always stop for a snack at the Mt. Baldy Lodge. Nothing wrong with sharing a booth with a couple of cowboys and shooting some pool!

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