Strawberry Peak (6,165 feet) is one of the most distinctive peaks in the area. When viewed from surrounding peaks (and from the LA Basin in general), you can identify it by the steep slopes that make it look like an upside-down strawberry. Luckily, while there are some options for steeper climbs to the summit, there’s also an intermediate-hiker friendly trail right to the top.
As the highest peak in the San Gabriels front range (and one of the few that is still open to hikers after the Bobcat Fire in 2020), you can get a great view (and work out) without the longer drives associated with some of the taller mountains in Southern California in this guide.
Accessible and short but not to be underestimated
The mountain is accessible, but how hard is Strawberry Peak? At about 7 miles round trip and less than 2,000 feet of elevation, I consider this a good intermediate hike. Because Strawberry is a bit shorter, it is also less likely to hold ice and snow than some of the other peaks in this article, making it a safer option for cooler season hiking.
Note that some of the forest around the trail burned in the Station Fire about 10 years ago, but the trail is clear. What that means is that there’s not a lot of tree cover, so bring plenty of sun protection and 2-3 liters of water.
The hike is sweet like strawberries and cream
The trailhead-picnic area-parking lot is off Highway 2 at the intersection with Red Box Road. You’ll need the $5 Adventure Pass for day use parking like all the other hikes on this list. After carefully crossing the highway, find the post that indicates the way to Strawberry Peak and the good trail paralleling Highway 2.
You’ll cross under a telephone wire but after about a mile, you’ll make a sharp turn left (west) onto the ridge and it starts feeling more wild. One of the tricky things about this hike is that it isn’t just straight up. You’ll have a few bumps to go up and over in the next mile. Still, after 2 miles, you’ll have incredible views of San Gabriel (6,162 feet, which is just a hair shorter than Strawberry Peak) and Disappointment Peak (5,960 feet) to your south. To your west, you’ll also see the massive Mt. Wilson (sadly, charred in the Bobcat Fire).
As you drop towards Lawlor Saddle, you may get your first views of Strawberry Peak. At the interaction with Strawberry Meadow, keep following the carbonite signs to the peak. It starts getting steep and rocky from here—even a little scrambly. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and take it slowly. I had to use my hands to get around some of the bigger rocks. Although this hike is intermediate-hiker-friendly based on distance and elevation gain, the last steep ascent to the top is a challenge.
A SoCal hiker tradition
The ridge has a few false summits—so be prepared that when it may look like the top, you likely aren’t there yet! The summit itself is a brush-covered rocky bump but the sign is a clear declaration that you’ve made it. At the top you’ll have 360-degree views of the San Gabriels with Big Tujunga Canyon to the north and Mt. Baldy to the west. On a clear day, you may be able to see downtown LA or Catalina Island. And most important, a SoCal hiker tradition is to snack on strawberries at the peak.