April 17th 2009

8.5 miles    1,200ft elevation gain

We decide on a visit to the San Gabriel Mountains, but, given a slightly late start, select a hike in the front range rather than the higher elevations of the main peaks. We drive up Angeles Crest Highway to the trailhead at Red Box Ranger Station, delayed on the way by a bulldozer removing rock and debris from the road. It is bright and clear, but as we get out of the car a cold wind denies the low sixties temperature and we stuff additional jackets into our packs.

Trailhead

 We cross the highway and begin to ascend the Barley Flats Fireroad at around 4,700 ft. We almost immediately regret the warm jackets and stop for a clothing and sunscreen break. From here we can see snow-laden Mt. Baldy in the distance. The route parallels the road for a short distance and then turns north on a trail that gradually ascends around the side of the mountain. Behind us the observatories on Mt. Wilson glint in the sunlight and the panorama opens as we climb higher. Despite the earliness of the season the trail is dry and almost without flowers, although we spy a lone flowering long stalked phacelia, which is photographed as a new addition to the library.

Approaching the saddle

 As we round Mt. Lawlor to our right, Strawberry Peak comes into view and in about an hour from our start, at 5,250 ft we gain the saddle between these two peaks, both of which we have climbed in the past. However, today’s trail descends the other side of the saddle and Deirdre is at once concerned by the depth of the canyon before us, fearing the return climb. With rather less than full confidence I assure her we have only to descend some 500 or 600 ft, not all the way down. The view on this side is expansive and desolate. This is indeed virgin scenery far removed from the civilization on the south side of the ridge. At this point we are surprised by a group of Korean (?) hikers coming towards us. As is their stereotype, they are smartly dressed and well equipped. We now begin looking for Strawberry Spring. Contrary to the commentary in our rather old guide book, the trail is well maintained although the drop off is steep in places. The rock here is mainly granite and the crunching beneath our feet makes conversation tricky.

Rest stop

 The Spring is “in a woodsy recess” and thinking we have found it, albeit waterless, we stop for coffee. There is little breeze on this side and the air is pleasantly warm. Shortly after resuming our journey, we encounter the real Strawberry Spring.

Strawberry Spring

It is hardly any more notable except that the drip of water results in a moss covering to the rocks and a slight dampness on the trail. We know this is it – because there is a sign saying so! We continue winding around Strawberry Peak, well above the canyon floor. Shortly the trail steepens and below us we see the meadow backed by a shattered rock wall. But before we complete the final descent, we are at the highlight of the hike. A gritty knoll from which the view is supreme despite the fact that we are in the shadow of Strawberry. Out come cameras and we click away.

View Point

 The last few hundred yards are fairly steep but we reach the meadow at just over 4 miles. Apparently the trail continues quite some additional distance to Colby Ranch, some form of Methodist retreat (also accessible from the other side by road). Our destination is the meadow and here is a sign to Colby Canyon Trail, a possible but longer return route that would unfortunately leave us a few miles downroad from our car. We walk along the side of the meadow but it turns out to be a disappointment. It is full of long dry grass and some low scrub, not the greenery we were expecting. A dry winter or winters seem to have robbed it of its meadowness – global warming ? Nonetheless we settle in the shade beneath the pines for lunch, only to be driven to a less attractive, but more hygienic, spot by flies.

The "Meadow"

The climb back is not too severe, and we pause again at our view point. We are curious to identify a bird with a particularly raucous call, but it echoes from the canyon walls and it could be in any direction. Shortly thereafter we see our one piece of wildlife for the day. A mountain quail hurrying ahead of us along the trail as if late for an appointment. We regain Strawberry Saddle and climb a short way up the trail to Strawberry Peak to enjoy the view and a well deserved orange. The descent is uneventful and we again enjoy views of the snow covered back range although the air is now less clear. We are tired but have enjoyed our day in the mountains.