Hike #1526
May 10, 2023
Srawberry Peak Summit and Circumnavigation

Hike Leader: Jim Wolff

Meet at 8:00 am for start at 8:30 am.
Rabbits will start at 7:00 am promptly and likely do Options 1 or 2, with carpool/shuttle arrangements TBD.

Please print your own hike descriptions and maps.

Directions to Trailhead:  From the 210 Freeway drive north on Angeles Crest Hwy (Hwy 2) for 17.4 miles to the Red Box parking area on the right (south) side of the road.

Hike Summary:
    Basic Hike: Red Box to Strawberry Peak summit, 6.6 mi. RT, cum. elevation gain = 1,524 ft.
    Circumnavigation Options:
        Option 1: Red Box to Colby Canyon Trailhead: 9.5 mi.
        Option 2: Red Box to Clear Creek Trailhead: 10.2 mi.
        Bonus Peaks: Josephine Peak and/or Mt. Lawlor (not described)

Map Legend:
    Basic Hike - Green and Yellow
    Option 1 - Green and all Blue
    Option 2 – Green, most Blue, and Red

Basic Hike (Green track): From Red Box, crossing Angeles Crest Highway, walk east along the north shoulder of Angeles Crest Highway to the trailhead slanting left up the hillside. Continue up the trail above Angeles Crest Highway for 0.6 miles where the trail turns to the left. From there the trail switchbacks up through chaparral as the trail contours around Mt. Lawler to the northwest. Continue gradually up the trail 2.2 miles to Lawler Saddle on the northwest shoulder of Mt. Lawlor. Here marks 550 feet in elevation gain, and it may be a good place for a break before continuing up to Strawberry Peak or the other options. For a shorter “basic” hike return on the same trail back to Red Box or continue north on the main trail and return when ready.

Summit Climb Section (Yellow track): To get to the summit of Strawberry Peak from the Lawler Saddle; leave the main trail and take an old firebreak slanting left along an undulating, chaparral covered ridge. First hike north and then gradually the trail heads west toward Strawberry’s peak with Coulter pines and big cone Douglas firs. Enjoy the views and then return the same way to Red Box. The summit is 1.1 miles from Lawler Saddle.

Options: The following options require shuttling cars before the start of the hike leaving cars at the ending trailhead and shuttle to Red Box before and after the hike. Add ~2.2 miles if Strawberry Peak summit is included. Each of these options will include ~450 of elevation loss.

Option 1 (Blue track): From the Lawler Saddle continue north on the main trail about 1.8 miles, passing Strawberry Spring along the way, to a trail intersection. Take the trail leading to the left (west) crossing through Strawberry Potrero. From here it is 3.1 miles to Josephine Saddle. Take the trail around Strawberry Peak to Josephine Saddle where the Colby Canyon Trail intersects. Take Colby Canyon south 2.2 miles down to Angeles Crest Highway. Total mileage is 9.5.

Option 2 (Red track): Same as Option 1 except at Josephine Saddle continue west 0.5 miles across Josephine Saddle to the intersection with the fire road that leads south 2.4 miles down to Clear Creek. Total mileage is 10.2.

Map - Strawberry Peak Hikes

Strawberry Peak Hike Guide - HikingGuy.com:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uswsbLDKTSA

Updated:  2023-03-30