An absolutely gorgeous early morning Strawberry Peak hike from Red Box Canyon. And not a single other person there to enjoy it.

Angeles Crest Highway (CA Hwy 2) is closed at Red Box picnic area and the parking lot is closed and used by forest fire recovery crews, but the Haramokngna American Indian Cultural Center parking lot immediately next to the picnic area had no restrictions. It's technically on USFS land and I have an Adventure Pass, and no one bothered me or said anything when I returned after my hike.

Trekking poles are helpful for the final mile scramble. Small portions of the trail have eroded between miles 1.5 and 3.0 including the reinforced areas, so as tempting as the views are please make sure to watch your step because it's a long and potentially unsurvivable slide to the bottom. I also enjoy night headlamp hikes to catch sunrises or sunsets, but those few erosion areas are a nighttime deal-breaker for me.