○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
7.2 miRound Trip
1,700 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
3.5-5 hoursEst. Time
6,164 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Strawberry Peak via Red Box Station

🌤 Trail Weather — Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs · Trailhead coords
🥾
Trail Ready
43°F, Clear Sky. Layer for elevation. Summit conditions may differ from trailhead.
☀️
43°
Clear Sky
Feels 42°F
💨 Wind
3 mph NNW
Gusts to 15 mph
💧 Humidity
66%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:55 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:20 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
11 am
☀️
46°
Feels 46°
💨 3/18
2 pm
☀️
55°
Feels 52°
💨 2/18
5 pm
☀️
59°
Feels 56°
💨 1/15
8 pm
🌙
49°
Feels 47°
💨 5/20
11 pm
🌙
45°
Feels 43°
💨 4/19
5-Day Forecast
☀️
Today
Clear Sky
46°F
feels 46°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/18 NNW
💧 Humidity
61% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Wed, Oct 14
Clear Sky
44°F
feels 42°
💨 Wind/Gust
4/19 NNE
💧 Humidity
58% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
🥾 Acceptable — Check Elevation
🌙
Thu, Oct 15
Clear Sky
46°F
feels 44°
💨 Wind/Gust
5/21 NE
💧 Humidity
45% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Fri, Oct 16
Clear Sky
54°F
feels 51°
💨 Wind/Gust
14/47 NNE
💧 Humidity
39% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
💨 High Wind — Avoid Exposed Ridges
🌙
Sat, Oct 17
Clear Sky
54°F
feels 51°
💨 Wind/Gust
8/25 NNE
💧 Humidity
51% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Oct 13, 8:41 am

A rugged chaparral singletrack that wraps through the interior front country before ascending a sharp prominent ridge. The optional class-2 rock scramble to the highest front-country peak makes this a local badge-of-honor trail.

Trail Overview

Strawberry Peak is the highest peak in the Angeles National Forest front country and it has the views to prove it. The approach through the chaparral is beautiful and the ridge climb is exposed and satisfying. The final scramble to the true summit is class-2 — hands on rock, not technical, but you need to be comfortable with exposure. Skip the scramble if you are not — the false summit still has excellent views. Wear long pants on the ridge section.

This Hike Is For You If…

Intermediate to advanced hikers who want a genuine peak with scrambling. Front-country peak baggers. Good training hike for exposed Sierra ridges.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip the summit scramble if you are uncomfortable with exposure. Skip in high winds — the ridge is exposed.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Chaparral singletrack with exposed ridge. Class-2 scramble at summit. Some brushy sections.

Shade: Mostly Exposed

Water: None — Carry All Water. No water on trail. Carry 2 liters minimum.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Less crowded than Altadena-area trails despite similar accessibility.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. Weekdays this lot rarely fills.

This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

👞

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7.2 miRound Trip
1700 ftElev. Gain
ModerateDifficulty
3.5-5 hoursEst. Time
6164 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Red Box Ranger Station, Angeles Crest Highway, La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011
Parking: Dirt lot at Red Box. Adventure Pass required. Usually has space except peak weekends.
Bathroom: None
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 9am on weekends. Weekdays this lot rarely fills.

Trail Reality Check

Strawberry Peak is the highest peak in the Angeles National Forest front country and it has the views to prove it. The approach through the chaparral is beautiful and the ridge climb is exposed and satisfying. The final scramble to the true summit is class-2 — hands on rock, not technical, but you need to be comfortable with exposure. Skip the scramble if you are not — the false summit still has excellent views. Wear long pants on the ridge section.

Terrain: Chaparral singletrack with exposed ridge. Class-2 scramble at summit. Some brushy sections.
Shade: Mostly Exposed
Water: None — Carry All Water — No water on trail. Carry 2 liters minimum.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Moderate — Less crowded than Altadena-area trails despite similar accessibility.
Who should do this: Intermediate to advanced hikers who want a genuine peak with scrambling. Front-country peak baggers. Good training hike for exposed Sierra ridges.
Who should skip this: Skip the summit scramble if you are uncomfortable with exposure. Skip in high winds — the ridge is exposed.