○ 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
✅
Good Conditions — Solid Day to Hike
59°F, Clear Sky. Wind 1 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
🌙
59°
Clear Sky
Feels 58°F
💨 Wind
1 mph N
Gusts to 7 mph
💧 Humidity
66%
Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
☁️ Cloud Cover
0%
Clear — full sun exposure
🌅 Sunrise
6:42 am
Ideal start time
🌇 Sunset
6:45 pm
Off trail by this
Today — 3-Hour Intervals
11 pm
🌥️
59°
Feels 58°
💨 2/9
5-Day Forecast
🌥️
Today
Few Clouds
59°F
feels 58°
💨 Wind/Gust
2/9 W
💧 Humidity
61% Humid — heat feels stronger
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
18% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Sat, Sep 26
Clear Sky
56°F
feels 54°
💨 Wind/Gust
1/8 W
💧 Humidity
50% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
0% Clear — full sun exposure
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Sun, Sep 27
Overcast Clouds
57°F
feels 54°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/11 ENE
💧 Humidity
32% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
99% Overcast
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
☁️
Mon, Sep 28
Scattered Clouds
56°F
feels 53°
💨 Wind/Gust
3/13 SE
💧 Humidity
32% Comfortable
👁 Visibility
6.2 mi — Good visibility
☁️ Clouds
43% Partly cloudy
✅ Good Conditions — Go Hike
🌙
Tue, Sep 29
Clear Sky
51°F
feels 47°
💨 Wind/Gust
5/20 NNE
💧 Humidity
38% 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. Sep 25, 8:13 pm

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.