Strawberry Peak

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Singletrack trail leading toward Strawberry Peak, curving along a ridgeline covered in chaparral and spring wildflowers, with the San Gabriel Mountains unfolding under scattered clouds

Trail Stats

7.5 miles | 1,800 ft gain | 4.5 hours | Moderate–Strenuous

🪜 Stairs Equivalent

Stairs Equivalent • ~180 flights (~3,060 steps) 🏋️ StairMaster Conversion • ~55 min (Lv. 6) • ~36 min (Lv. 10) • ~28 min (Lv. 12) 🏙️ Motivational Comparison “That’s like climbing the Empire State Building… one and a half times!” 🏙️✨

Hike Summary & Reflections

Starting at the Red Box trailhead along Angeles Crest Highway, the route to Strawberry Peak packs a punch despite moderate mileage. After a gentle warmup, the trail steepens into switchbacks and narrows into an exposed ridgeline. On March 9, 2025, with high peaks still snowed in, Strawberry was a rare open challenge. Icy shaded slopes demanded focus, but the payoff was sweeping views of Baldy, Wilson, and the San Gabriels under snow. This hike captured the grit of training through winter when bigger climbs were off-limits.

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Wild Moments on the Trail

  • Snow-dusted ridges against blue skies above chaparral.
  • A pair of hikers turned back at the ridge — preparation made the difference.
  • Deer tracks in snow, subtle proof of wildlife navigating seasonal challenges.

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Why This Hike Mattered

Strawberry was about momentum. With Baldy and San G inaccessible under snow, it became a proving ground. It wasn’t the tallest or longest climb, but it demanded summit-level focus on steep ridges and icy patches. This log marks the transition from winter conditioning into spring summit season.

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Trail Gear & Fuel

Minimalist fasted-state setup: Salomon ADV Skin 5 vest with 2.5L water with 1 LMNT, light traction for icy patches, Arc’teryx base layer for cold but clear conditions.

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