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Strawberry Peak Loop
22 reviews
4.05 of 5
The fire road climbs steadily for 2.5 miles to the saddle between Josephine and Strawberry Peak. From the saddle, instead of following the fire road left up Josephine Peak, go right on the road-turned-singletrack towards Strawberry Peak. A short distance later the trail will stop and you will have to go left or right. Go left (up) to Strawberry Peak singletrack (right goes down Colby Cyn). The singletrack goes up and down following the contours of the mountain with some very steep drop-offs to the left. The trail can get very narrow (6" wide), so be careful and don't let your wheels stray too far to the edge of the trail and erode the edges. After about 5 miles, you drop into Strawberry Potrero. The trail sort of disappears for 100 feet or so, but don't panic, you'll find it to the right of an old picnic table. At the bottom of the potrero, there is another trail junction. Go right (uphill of course). It bears up for about 2 miles to the saddle between Strawberry Peak and Mt. Lawlor. From here it's almost all downhill singletrack with some awesome views and scary drop-offs. In another 2-3 miles, you reach the Hwy 2 and Red Box Ranger Station. Go to the far West corner of the parking lot (next to the highway and a picnic table) take the switchback down on to the trail again. The top part of this trail is old fire road but it quickly changes into singletrack again. After about 2 miles, there is a turnoff to the left (to the right returns to the highway and is seldom used). This part of the trail will finally end at Switzer's picnic grounds after about 4 miles from Redbox. Follow the paved and steep road up about 1/2 mile until you see a sign for a trail off to the left. Follow this last mile of single track back up to Clear Creek Junction (or you can follow the paved road another 200 feet to Hwy 2, make a left on Hwy 2 and you'll reach Clear Creek in less than a mile). The total ride distance is somewhere around 17 miles.
Take the 210 Frwy to Hwy 2 and go north about 11 miles to Clear Creek Station. You will see a turnoff for Palmdale. Park at the corner of Hwy 2 and the Palmdale turnoff. Make a left off of Hwy 2 like you are going to Palmdale. On the right side less than 100 feet from Hwy 2 you will see a gated (fireroad) dirt road. The trail starts here. You will need an Adventure Pass ($5) to park. You can get them at Clear Creek Station or at any Sport Chalet store.
Summary: This is the archetypal Southern California trail. Fire road climb with great views followed by varied singletrack through pine, oak, and scrub with flowy, smooth stretches punctuated by technical speed checks. This trail is somewhat long but - with the exception of the first climb - is not exhausting.
The tread is in pretty good shape overall, though pretty sandy and loose in the first mile or so after Josephine Saddle.
From a trailbuilder's perspective, this trail is exemplary for its nice outslope and sophisticated retaining walls. Props to whomever got those in that far (heli, mule?) and installing them. There's also some neat stonework across some seasonal drainages.
The singletrack grade never gets too hairy (except the switchbacks out of the Colby Ranch junction). It is exposed a lot of time, so probably not a good summer ride. Definitely want full suspension, not because of big drops or anything, but for your body's sake. Great trail will return to again soon.
Recommended Route: Directions above are spot-on. For exact mileage reference see Diane Fragnoli's "Mountain Biking Southern California's 100 Best Trails," although note that her mileage includes the climb to Josephine Peak. If you don't ride that then subtract 1.5 miles from the reference after you pass Josephine Saddle.
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Summary: Rode there today (07/08/07). Someone has written, "Save this ride for Winter time." TRUE. I have done this one a few times (maybe once before during the Summer as well) - have done many of the local stuff (El Prieto, Winter Creak, Sunset Trail, etc...) in 100 degree weather - I like to train in the heat, sometimes. Anyway, Strawberry Peak in the 90 degree heat is HELL! I did it with a 70 ounce water cell, my buddy a 100 ouncer, thank God, because I was empty before we started crossing the South ridge line in the heat of the day (around 1pm). We nursed what he had left and made it to the Redbox trail head. Never thought luke warm, drinking fountain water, with hundreds of huge dead red ants pooling in it could taste so good!
Long story short, the trail was dry, loose and loamy, which made for some difficult leg work. This is a very fun trail in the cooler months, and a tough training ground in the warmer ones.
Oh yeah, there were three runners (two guys and lady) in their 40's running the entire thing from Wilson to Wilson - training for a 50k run in August. If they can do it, so can we! : 0
Recommended Route: Start at Switzer parking lot, climb to the road, take the fireroad to the saddle, do the single track to Redbox and end back at you vehicle. Around 17 miles. 2.5 to 5 hours depending on the heat and you.
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Summary: Let me start by saying that I have been riding for about 10 years all over Washington, Moab and recently So Cal and consider myself a pretty good rider. This trail in relation to all the other trails I have ridden, has got to be in my top five without a doubt. This ride has everything a great ride should, fire road climb to get the juices flown', great views, and tight twisty singletrack that goes in and out of various terrian with decent exposure and great climbs. This trail has some of the best maintenance I have ever seen and is completely makeable start to finish. There is a switchback climb thats a bear and the tracking is soft good luck and remember walkings ok! Finished off ride with Gabrielo trail.
Recommended Route: up fire road and follow trail back to the crest and cross over to grabrielo trail to switzers and climb paved road to the crest.
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Summary: Rode Strawberry Peak for the first time today. What a great trail. I followed the directions above.
Today (11/28/2004) was very windy. Climbing the fire road to the saddle I was numb nearly the entire way to the top. My fingers were killing me. From the saddle we could see Catlina Island and Santa Barbara Island in the distance. The wind blew everything out: clouds, haze, fog, smog. After the saddle the wind was less of a problem. The trail clear had some trail maintenance performed recently, likely in the spring or summer. True the trail is narrow in the begining, but totally rideable. After the first .25 miles of very narrow trail, the trail opens up somewhat into some of the best trail I've ridden in some time. Large sections of the trail were frozen dirt and snow was present in many areas. The climb out from the junction with the Colby Ranch Trail up the next saddle was a really nice climb. Totally ridable and a nice steady grade. A very enjoyable climb, well the very begning was a bit steep but it's short. As one of the trail reviews states the section of trail just before highway 2 is great. Tons of little, fun jumps. This was my first time riding the Gabrielino Trail out of Red Box. I was really impressed with the trail. Fast and fun. I can see this ride becoming one of my favorite trails.
Recommended Route: Follow the directions at the top of the page. A good trail description can be found at: http://www.singletrackmind.com/Trails/Josephine%20Strawberry/Josephine%20Strawberry%20Peaks%20Mountain%20Biking%20Southern%20California%20Index.htm
Other recommended trails in the same area: Chilao Figure 8
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Review Date April 27, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Every few months
Reviewed by: brent
, from rancho cucamonga, ca
Summary: last mont this trail was in great shape. no snow, super fun. a little loose in spots but still one of the best trails in the area. i highly reccomend riding the singletrack from red box down to switzers at the end of this ride. try it sometime
Recommended Route: up the fireroad to josephine peak then back down the the trail. also i like to ride from red box to switzers on the singletrack then climb out of switzers back to my car. this extends the mileage a bit and ads fun singletrack.
Other recommended trails in the same area: see monrovia to white saddle review.
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