This was my first time doing Strawberry Peak – fun little hike.  I started at 7:15 and was back at my car at 10:15.  Like everyone mentions, the first two miles are easy and the last mile has some elevation gain.  Almost stepped on a snake that decided it wanted to cross the trail right where and when I was walking.  Fortunately for both of us we didn't make contact. 🙂

I met several other six packers which was fun.  Love the camaraderie…and thanks to the woman who lent me her paper sign at the top!  Sorry I didn't catch your name…

There was a revue taking place as I was finishing my hike which added to the excitement.  Shout out to the people who keep us safe..

Couple of tips that may help others:

1) if, like me, you didn't have your act together to get an adventure pass the morning of, fear not the Shell station near where you exit the freeway has them and they were open early.  I bought the annual pass to allay an future adventure pass-related stress.

2) After about the first mile and a half you come to a junction.  To your left you'll see a steep climb and at the top of the climb you'll see what looks like a telephone pole but is chat roughly in half and has nothing attached to that.  If you see that you're going the wrong way!  I climbed that and and got to a pinky where it overlooked the parking lot and I knew I was going the wrong way.  I added a little bit of mileage ~ 0.65 miles.  Not terrible but know that at this point you should be continuing on a single track that is relatively flat, not climbing a steep weather worn hill.  Tip for myself – download the gps file before the next unfamiliar hike…

Lastly, by battery phone charger fell out of my backpack somewhere on the way down.  It's black and has a red 4″ USB-C to lightning cable.  If by chance anyone found it, I'd love it back…Tks!