|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
         
 Reporter |
Summary: This hike has all the makings of a wilderness adventure including dramatic views from high mountain ridges, passages through lush forests, sparkling waterfalls and a optional side trip up to the summit of Strawberry Peak. The trail begins along Big Tujunga Canyon creek and ascends up into a dense pine forest with breathtaking views of the San Gabriel high country to the north before heading southeast towards the highlight of the trip at Strawberry Potrero. Here you can rest at a picnic table while enjoying the view of Strawberry Peak's sheer north face and giant talus field.The trail continues up to a hub near Josephine Saddle at the Colby Trail junction. Here there is an option of taking a sidetrip. To the left is a well-worn climber's route leading to the summit of Strawberry Peak.The final ascent is a steep scramble over large boulders. The Colby Canyon trail descends to a wooded creek and past a tall waterfall before taking you back to your car. Trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in Pasadena head north onto the Angeles Crest Highway. With two cars leave one at the unpaved turnout of the Colby Canyon trailhead on the north side of Angeles Crest Highway 0.7 mile east of Clear Creek Station . Take the other car 1.2 miles east from Angeles Forest Highway on Upper Big Tujunga Road, turn right on the road with a sign Colby Camp and descend to a large unpaved lot along Big Tujunga creek just past the bridge. The trailhead is located on the south side of the lot. (Lat:34.3097 Lon:-118.11365) Trail Guides for Big Tujunga to Colby Canyon: Afoot and Afield in Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: U.S. Forest Service (626) 821-6764 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Eric Altizer, who has posted 13 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 2 of 4 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Gerald on 3/17/2008 switch backs at first were difficult but easy to get the hang of very nice hike lots of rocks. but very nice 
Reviewed by ERNIE on 3/5/2008 EXCELENT FISHING! ALTHOUGH STILL DISAPOINTED WITH PEPOLE WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO TREAT GOD'S GOOD EARTH, LITTER AND WRITTING ON ROCKS. THERE ARE ALOT OF GOOD FISHING HOLES WITH NATIVE TROUT LUNKERS YOU JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING TO HIKE IN AND GET WET. CATCH AND RELEASE IS MY ADVISE AND LET THE NEXT GUY HAVE A LITTLE FUN. HAVE A GOOD TIME AND LEAVE YOUR SPRAY CAN AT HOME AND PICK UP YOUR TRASH!
Reviewed by Jordan on 2/14/2008 Just did this one Feb. 9 2008. Great hike. The first part of this trail from Big Tujunga was unremarkable till we got above 4000 ft. Snow everywhere, awesome. On the back side/north face of Strawberry Peak there are huge snowfields and would make an awesome place to camp out, tons of room. If you do this hike within the next couple of weeks, gaiters and crampons are a must! Even snowshoes would work. Over a third of this trail is still under two feet of snow. Seriously, some parts were pretty treacherous without crampons/snowshoes. I thought gaiters were useless till now. I got snow all in my boots and my pants were soaked. Be prepared. All in all, I would do this hike again in a hot second. If you go in summer brings water-lots.
Reviewed by Jennifer on 10/30/2007 As a result of extreme fire activity, and to protect public health and safety, Angeles National Forest officials have implemented a forest closure, effective October 23, 2007. The closure will last until the extreme conditions subside. Individuals or organizations holding special use permits for sanctioned activities within the Forest are exempt from this order. http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/ for updates
Reviewed by RC on 8/24/2007 I think the topo on this hike is off, the last portion up to Strawberry Peak doesn't resemble the map. No complaints about the hike though. We started at the parking off big T and went the six miles to Strawberry Peak and then six miles back. Had the opportunity to jog a lot on the way back. Bring a lot of water!! Much of the hike is in the sun, but there is plenty of shade and definitely worth watching yourself elevate as you hike up and up and up. I brought my dogs, both great hikers, but the elevation in the first 4 miles really got to them, they drank more water than me. Make sure you add your name to the register at the peak. The West Face of Strawberry Peak is some of the funnest climbing around I hear (no dogs that way I hear).
Reviewed by Becky on 2/5/2007 This was a fantastic hike! We did this hike last Monday. Not including the side trip to Strawberry Peak, it took us about 5 hours, including breaks for lunch and playing on the small patches of ice near Strawberry Potrero. The strenuous hike up to Strawberry Peak was a highlight, and took us a little less than 3 hours round trip. It was about half scrambling and half walking up pretty steep slopes. Mercifully, the abundant yucca is trimmed back from the trail. We had great views of the mountains and of LA through the late afternoon haze. The only thing that could have made the hike better was if there had been more water for the falls in Colby Canyon.
Reviewed by Cassie on 1/21/2007 This was a gorgeous hike! The views of strawberry peak and the mountian range were incredible. It is a great workout, but the 4.5 hours flew by so fast! WARNING: We got lost trying to find the second drop off point. You must backtrack the 0.7 mi to clear creek station to veer onto Angeles forest highway. We mistakenly continued up on Angeles Crest(didn't realize it!) and went all the way around to where the upper tujunga road meets with Angeleles crest, we were so confused! Don't do what we did! Also, make sure you take a right at the strawberry peak junction when you have the option to go to Angeles crest via strawberry peak trail (4.0mi) or colby canyon trail(go to colby canyon) Enjoy-it's worth the hassle!
Reviewed by LaSalsa on 12/3/2006 I give a 5-star for the side trip to strawberry peak. we did this hike yesterday, the first half from Angeles Crest Hwy trail head to Jasephine Saddle was already a good intermediate level hike. but it was by no means as exciting as the second half, from the saddle up to the strawberry peak. this part was very hidden. just past the saddle going to colby camp, about 20 yard, look carefully on the ground, there was a rock with a painted arrow pointing upwards. following paint arrows all the way about 1.5 miles, you can reach the peak. it's very exciding, you need to use all your hands to climb a lot of rocks all the time. Challenging, but very rewarding Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||