WPT023
Location: 34.2917098999023, -118.129249572754
At 7.69 miles, pass a wooden post with a number 2 marked onto it.
Continue following the trail as it turns further toward the southwest. It rises out of the meadow areas and follows a sloping ridge, becoming noticably steeper in .55 miles.
WPT024
Location: 34.2830810546875, -118.132804870605
At 8.64 miles, pass a 3-mile marker on the trail and continue southwest.
Continue apx. 500 feet, passing the Mountaineer's Route and rejoining the junction toward Josephine Saddle. Continue 2.08 miles on the Colby Canyon Trail the way you came, returning to the trailhead.
WPT018
Location: 34.2824630737305, -118.108703613281
At 4.92 miles, pass a wooden marker with the number 4 on it.
As the trail continues winding around the eastern flank of Strawberry Peak, the trail becomes more forested and shady than the trails on the mountain's southern face.
WPT007
Location: 34.2770156860352, -118.131057739258
At apx. 1.1 miles, pass another small wooden marker, labeled with the number 4. Continue on this shadeless path as it makes several switchbacks to Josephine Saddle.
WPT003
Location: 34.2705993652344, -118.136779785156
At 946 feet, pass a wooden marker, labeled with the number 5.
WPT006
Location: 34.2744598388672, -118.132377624512
At 0.7 miles, cross the Colby Canyon Creek (or dry creekbed) again, and contiune as the shaded footpath begins to ascend up some long switchbacks through chaparral.
At this waypoint, there is a small clearing that often has signs of campers. This is an unofficial campground that is very close to the trail, and is not recommended for use.
WPT010
Location: 34.2836875915527, -118.131019592285
At 2.09 miles, reach a large rock wall. This is the first major bouldering ascent of the trail.
The ideal holds and ascents are clearly marked by spray-painted arrows and dots showing novice climbers the path up. This is a fairly short climb, but has some steep drops. Once you've reached the top, the trail continues on a firebreak along the ridge between Josephine and Strawberry Peaks, creating a gentle arch to the east.
WPT002
Location: 34.2705612182617, -118.138938903809
At apx. 472 feet, hop across Colby Canyon Creek, watching out for poison oak. This is a small, seasonal stream that will most likely be dry unless you are hiking after a recent rainstorm. Do not depend on this as a water source.
WPT017
Location: 34.2745895385742, -118.111885070801
At 4.1 miles, take a hard left at the 4-way junction, taking the Strawberry Trail north toward the Colby Canyon Trail Junction.
OPTION: Head straight across the trail, following the ridge to the slight southeast. This route takes a no-nonsense approach to the summit of nearby Mount Lawlor (el. 5952), and will add 1.2 miles and about 750 feet of elevation to your trip.
WPT020
Location: 34.2906532287598, -118.107986450195
At 5.77 miles, keep left at Y-junction onto Colby Canyon Trail.
As the trail follows the contours of the north slope of Strawberry Peak, it will bear little resemblance to the jagged rocky mountain you climbed earlier on the trail. Here, the terrain is a gentler, forested slope, well-shaded and unimpressive-looking.
WPT008
Location: 34.2821273803711, -118.134216308594
At 1.95 miles, arrive at the 4-way junction of Josephine Saddle. From the Colby Canyon trail, the first left will take you up a very short path to a water tank. The next trail clockwise will lead 2321 feet before joining the Josephine Fire Road to Josephine Peak (el. 5558). Next trail, heading northeast, is the continuation of the Colby Cayon Trail, which wraps around Strawberry Peak to the north. Hike a few feet on this trail, but keep an eye out for a low, climbable ridge to your immediate east.
WPT009
Location: 34.2822875976562, -118.134063720703
At 1.99 miles, leave the Colby Canyon Trail and ascend up an unmarked use-trail to a small ridge. This is the unmarked "Mountaineer's Route" to Strawberry Peak. Continue on this visible path toward the east, heading away from the established trail. This trail crawls through some scratchy brush, but is in decent shape from regular use.
WPT013
Location: 34.284309387207, -118.122383117676
At 2.97 miles, meet up with the sheer-looking western face of Strawberry Peak. This is the second and last section of Class 3 Bouldering on this route and, like the earlier scramble, while it looks intimidating it's actually not too difficult. This route is marked with paint as well, but has steeper drop-offs than the earlier climb.
This bouldering section lasts about 500 vertical feet, and once you're done, continue on the clear path southeast toward the summit of Strawberry Peak.
WPT014
Location: 34.2835121154785, -118.12052154541
At 3.05 miles, reach the summit of Strawberry Peak (el. 6164).
This wooded peak is marked by a large metal army munitions box, tucked into a small notch just south of the trail.
There are not any particularly stunning views from the summit, but from from nearby clearings one can spot the backside of Mount Wilson, nearby Mount Lawlor, and - on clear days - views deep into the north of the Angeles National Forest and as far east as the Baldy Bowl.
Continue hiking east, toward the east slope of the peak, to continue the loop.
WPT019
Location: 34.2854270935059, -118.110626220703
At 5.23 miles, note Strawberry Spring on the southwest side of the trail.
This spring is marked by a wooden sign, but can be sluggish during the dry season. It should not be depended upon as source of water.
WPT001
Location: 34.2696876525879, -118.140556335449
Arrive at Colby Canyon Trailhead and park in the small dirt lot on the north side of the road.
There is a trail sign at the northeast corner of the lot, marking the Colby Canyon Trail. Display your Adventure Pass on your vehicle and begin on the Colby Canyon Trail, walking on the path between some low brush.
WPT004
Location: 34.2705230712891, -118.136642456055
At 1424 feet, continue straight at Y with a faint-use trail. The use-trail simply rises directly over a small bump in the landscape, while the more established trail goes around it. Taking the use trail will not save you any noticable distance.
WPT005
Location: 34.2715606689453, -118.13427734375
At apx 2557 feet, look northeast through Colby Canyon for an excellent view of Strawberry Peak. You will be ascending via the long west-stretching ridge, and climbing up the peak's western face.
Continue along the trail as it descends back toward the bottom of Colby Canyon.
WPT011
Location: 34.286190032959, -118.129203796387
At 2.41 miles, continue on the firebreak as it turns eastward. There are sections of low, overgrown, thorny brush here. There is always a clear path forward, but you may get scratched a bit.
WPT012
Location: 34.2866363525391, -118.125061035156
At 2.69 miles, the terrain becomes strewn with large, angular boulders. Continues east-southeast as the trail descends and climbs along a few rockslide areas, heading toward the major climb of Strawberry Peak.
WPT015
Location: 34.2834968566894, -118.116477966309
At 3.3 miles, continue on the trail as it descends the eastern ridge of Strawberry Peak through large groups of Spanish bayonets.
The route here does occasionally branch off into use trails to avoid particularly thorny yuccas and areas of exceptionally loose rock, but is otherwise very easy to follow.
WPT016
Location: 34.282356262207, -118.113357543945
At 3.49 miles, continue along the firebreak / trail as it makes a sharp turn southward, following a long ridge.
WPT021
Location: 34.2891693115234, -118.120018005371
At 6.82 miles, the impressive north face of Strawberry Peak begins to come into full view.
The north slope is a staggering, nearly-vertical sheer rock face. Continue west on the trail as it meanders across some lower ridges.
WPT022
Location: 34.2927284240723, -118.128562927246
At 7.53 miles, follow the trail as it descends to a large grassy area, known as Strawberry Meadows.
The trail continues southwest through a few small fields in the shadow of Strawberry Peak. There are a few picnic tables and very large boulders here.
Trailhead
Location: 34.2699279785156, -118.14037322998
Peak View
Location: 34.2719955444336, -118.134033203125
Strawberry Peak (Center)
End of Shade
Location: 34.2747268676758, -118.132621765137
Rocky Track
Location: 34.2781639099121, -118.13077545166
Water Tower
Location: 34.2819061279297, -118.134078979492
purple arrow
Location: 34.2829208374023, -118.132225036621
first scramble
Location: 34.2840232849121, -118.130950927734
low brush
Location: 34.2862243652344, -118.128700256348
first rocky area
Location: 34.2863540649414, -118.124740600586
second rocky area
Location: 34.2851676940918, -118.123329162598
view before the final climb
Location: 34.2846832275391, -118.122711181641
view from near summit
Location: 34.2835388183594, -118.120948791504
spanish bayonets
Location: 34.2830963134766, -118.114654541016
east slope
Location: 34.279483795166, -118.112762451172
the east slope of Strawberry Peak, on the descent -- much smoother than the west approach
trail sign
Location: 34.2747268676758, -118.111831665039
Strawberry Trail
Location: 34.2761383056641, -118.111831665039
peak from the north
Location: 34.2900161743164, -118.118919372559
another peak view
Location: 34.2891159057617, -118.120468139648
trail sign
Location: 34.2918472290039, -118.128639221191
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