Headed up Colby Canyon Trailhead off of Hwy 2 at 8am with a group of 8. Morning mist and fog kept most of the ascent very comfortable. Some downed trees and brush overgrowth kept the trail interesting before the final push to the top. Water in the creek was still running at crossings near the bottom. Some poison oak. Brought enough water for warmer decent (2 1/2-3 liters). The right turn just after Josephine’s saddle headed up to the peak can be missed very easily. We continued up Colby Cyn trail about 1/4 mile and realized we walked right passed it. Look for an unmarked trail to the right just after the water collector at the saddle to head up to Strawberry Peak. I want to say it’s within a 100-200 feet. Don’t continue up Colby Cyn Trail if you want to summit. From here, there is one section of class 3 scrambling (medium difficulty climbing with use of hands) within about 1/2 mile of the saddle. Once past this section, we followed the somewhat easy trail along the ridge to the right up to the base of the final push. From here, it was just another “slow to be safe” but challenging rock scramble STRAIGHT up to the top. Avoid straying too far right or left as both sides drop off. Took pictures at the top, and went back down the way we came. We took our time and got back to the cars at 2pm. For more experienced, young hikers it could take a lot less time. We conversed with other hikers at the top who came from what seemed to be the easier, less technical side starting at the Strawberry Peak Traihead across the road at Red Box Picnic area off Hwy 2.
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