Scramble lovers only. We’re taking the mountaineers route with about a mile of exposed climbing on the rocks. Limiting to those I’m comfortable climbing with since it will be a full hike and a long day.
STATS
Distance: ~12 miles
Elevation: >3200
Level: 8/10
Duration: 6+ hours, bring snacks and/or lunch
NOT FOR BEGINNERS!
NO SWEEP!!
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The Plan
We’ll head up to Strawberry Peak through the scenic Colby Canyon and up the mountaineers route. This is an exposed scramble and not recommended for those not comfortable with this type of terrain. From the peak, we’ll head down to the Strawberry Peak Trail and loop back around to Colby Canyon. The truck trail is overgrown in spots, with yucca obstacle courses and also a few poodle dog fields. Other than a couple spots with easily navigate able washouts it’s in pretty good shape though. There will be some short and steep rocky portions throughout the day. Mt Lawlor will also be an option if we the time and inclination.
Write up is Don’s:
The Story
Strawberry Peak – 6164 ft.
Strawberry Peak is located in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California. Just a short drive up Angeles Crest Highway (SR2) from the city of La Cañada. Being so close to the Los Angeles metropolitan area and offering such outstanding hiking opportunities, Strawberry is understandably very popular. The summit offers wonderful views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean (although often obscured by smog). And to the north the High Desert and Tehachapi mountains are visible.
Named by “some wags at Switzer’s Camp”, according to Hiram Reid (1886). It is told that they fancied a resemblance to a strawberry standing with its blossom end up. “We named it Strawberry because there weren’t any strawberries on it.” Reid icily noted that “the joke took” and that burlesque name has been commonly used by the old settlers; but the peak name is waiting some worthy occasion for a worthy name . Like many other playful peak names, few expected the name would last, but it has-perhaps because Americans have always loved to toy with place names.
The first known ascents were by parties led by Ezekiel Simmer from Switzer’s. A trail was built along the Arroyo, and then up Colby Canyon to the saddle west of the summit, and then up the Class 3 rock to the top. This was one of the most popular destinations during the first “Great Hiking Era” (1895-1935). It was also climbed and poetically recorded by Saunders (1923). One of this peak’s most curious moments was when a giant gas balloon, the America crashed on the summit after being caught in a storm. The six men aboard, including Captain. A. E. Medlin, spent a freezing night on the mountain but clamored down Colby Canyon to safety the next morning (1909). It was front page news and some sought to rename the peak after Medlin but nothing came of it.
Called “Strawberry Peak #1” on original HPS List–there once was a #2 in the San Bernardino N.F.
Directions: From the 210 Freeway north of Pasadena, exit at Angeles Crest Hwy (SR 2). Just past the Switzer Falls parking, you’ll see a turn out on the left at mile marker 34.50. You can park here. If parking is full, there are a coupe other turnouts if you keep driving up the road.
Carpooling/Caravaning: A good area to consolidate vehicles is at an area many hikers use just north of the 210 on the 2 fwy. On Angeles Crest Hwy turn right on the second street north of the 210, Milmada Drive and then take an immediate left on the street that parallels the Angeles Crest. I will leave this location at 7:45.
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PLEASE – Know your limits and abilities. Bring snacks and drink plenty of liquids when hiking. Check weather conditions and dress accordingly and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Watching out for poison oak, snakes, ticks, uneven footing, spectacular views, beautiful fauna all while interacting with awesome (usually) fellow hikers can be extremely hazardous, rewarding and fun.
The Farzan Rule: Posted hike times are the time the hike starts or we leave from a posted shuttle location. I’m aware other Meetup groups offer a grace period for late arrivals; we don’t. It’s your responsibility to know the location of the meeting spot and be there and ready to participate at the posted time. If you have any concerns about the directions feel free to contact the organizer of the event, preferably in advance of the event and not at the start time. I’m of the opinion that it’s not fair to delay an event when the majority of attendees have arrived on-time. (so named after a conversation I had with a certain un-named member)
RSVP’s: If you RSVP for an event be responsible and update your RSVP if your plans change. If your plans change at the last second and you’re not able to update your RSVP also let us know. In my opinion a no-show is someone who has no regard for following the guidelines we request from our members and will risk being removed from future events that have a limit.
VHC HIKE RATING SCALE
Rating a hike is subjective, meaning the difficulty of a hike will be in direct relation to how often you hike and the type of hike you prefer. Keep in mind that any hike can have the following: un-even hiking surfaces, various obstructions, water and/or water crossings or bouldering and/or rock hopping. A great hike will have all of these!
1 – A long walk
2 – 4 mile hike w/little elevation gain
3 – 5 mile hike w/up to1000 ft. elevation gain
4 – 5+ mile hike w/up to1500 ft. elevation gain (heart rate increases at times)
5 – 7+ mile hike w/over 1500 ft. elevation gain (heart rate increasing even more at times)
6 – 7+ mile hike w/over 2000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be trying to remember how to perform CPR)
7 – 5+ mile hike w/over 2000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be muttering expletives to yourself)
8 – 10+ mile hike w/over 3500 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be angry with the hike leader)
9 – 10+ mile hike w/over 5000 ft. elevation gain (at times you might be thinking of reporting the hike leader to the authorities)
10 – Use your imagination
Class 3 Scrambling: Scrambling or un-roped climbing. You must use your hands at times to hold the terrain or find your route. This may be caused by a combination of boulders, steepness and extreme terrain. Some Class 3 routes have ropes in place for assistance.
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY
IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
I am a volunteer (i.e. not liable for the group). Safety is a priority for everyone in the group. Think of this as hiking with a group of friends.
Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you’re taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup events, you are releasing the Valencia Hiking Crew Meetup Group and it’s organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries as stated in paragraph 6.2 of the Meetup “Terms of Service” located on the bottom of the Meetup website. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.
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