Strawberry Knees at Strawberry Peak

Strawberry Peak was the first peak of my challenge. It was a beautiful hike but more strenuous than anticipated. I wouldn’t recommend it for first-timers.

I had camped at nearby Chilao Campground with the intention of getting an early start on the trail. But the weather was so pleasant and the campground was so nice that I took my time for breakfast and explored that area for a while.

The first half of the hike was easygoing. It was a well-maintained and well-travelled trail that traversed its way up in elevation. The second half included a lot of  rock-scrambling, steep sandy trails, and prickly bushes.

At some point I tripped over some invisible obstacle, lost my balance, fell and received a few “strawberries” on my knees and palm. Oddly enough (and thankfully), this happened at a level part of the trail. After cleaning up as best as I could, I decided to continue on to the top.

I finally arrived at about 1:30. It was beautiful: sunny and surrounded by wispy clouds. I ate lunch, tended my wounds and rested for a while before heading back.

Overall, it was a fun hike. I would probably do it again.