This was my first time up Strawberry Peak. We left early in the morning and due to traffic and the fog on the 2 north, we started later than usual. Red Box parking lot was crowded as usual and the hike starts behind the closed section of Angeles Crest Highway to the left. A big Strawberry sign marks the start of the trail. It was a beautiful 2.5 miles gradually up the mountain.

Then, the Strawberry Peak sign appears on a hill and it’s an up and down many false peaks until you finally reach the peak about 1 mile later, but it feels like forever because you have to go up and down overgrown rocky paths that can be hard to climb up and down.

This trail is filled with yucca plants, which if not careful can stab you. Also, poodle dog bush is on the trail, which can give you a rash. There were bees in certain sections of this last one mile to the peak that can sting you along the way. Finally, there are fire ants all over this trail than can also sting you. Our group got stabbed by yucca and stung by bees and fire ants.

But, it was a gorgeous day and we made it up and down with just minor cuts and stings. The peak has two wood signs and we ate dried strawberries at the peak! The hike down was getting hot and we met these amazing volunteers who were trimming the yucca on the trail. Red Box has a store with cold drinks, which was a perfect end to our hike!!