#152 Strawberry Peak

On the way to Strawberry Peak.

Strawberry Peak.

Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.2836°N, -118.1203°W.

Summary

Strawberry Peak sits along a high ridge featuring Josephine Peak and Mount Lawlor.  Strawberry is the tallest and more impressive of the three.  It also does resemble an upside down strawberry! 

Getting a good view of Strawberry Peak.

The Strawberry Peak Trail extends along the lower slope of Mount Lawlor, which is rather level much of the way leading to Strawberry Saddle.  From the saddle, it is a different story, as it climbs rather abruptly up the side of the mountain.  However, with persistence, and the desire to stand on the top like a conquering hero, the climb eventually runs out of elevation. 

Approaching the peak.

On this recent visit, there were at least three summit signs waiting for me (which is a rare thing, since visitors at other mountains that i went to often take these signs home like souvenirs).  

On the summit.

The descent is also steep, but quick.  Once back at Strawberry Saddle, there are other options, such as adding Mount Lawlor, going to Strawberry Potrero, or even continuing to Josephine Peak after leaving the summit. 

Dropping down to Peak 5166.

I planned to give each peak its own day, so I headed back the way I came.  However, before going all the way back down, I veered off the trail a bit to visit a side peak, Peak 5166.  This is the visible high point in between Red Box and Mt Lawlor.  Therefore, I turned it into a double peak visit.

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#151 Josephine Peak

Starting out at the trailhead.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.271061°N, -118.153706°W.

Summary

The hike begins at the start of Josephine Peak Fire Road, which is only a few yards from the intersection of Angeles Crest Highway and Angeles Forest Highway.  From there, this is relatively no mystery.  The fire road is simply the route to the summit.  It is a gradual climb that elevates a lower ridge before extending to the higher ridge that connects Josephine Peak to Strawberry Peak. 

Approaching the summit.

A left turn at that junction continues to Josephine Peak.  In that section, the first bit of shade is encountered as the road passes to the shaded side of the ridge.  It ends at a utility vehicle parking area, where a use trail elevates to the official summit. 

On the summit, with a good view of Strawberry Peak.

On top sits a cabinet with a summit register and some solar equipment.  Some nice views of the surrounding mountain range is abound with a nice 360 view.  I returned the same way, although there is an alternative way along the upper ridge (which avoids some of the monotony of hiking a dirt road).  Either way, it connects with the road at the Strawberry Peak Junction before heading back down the rest of the way.

A parting view of Josephine Peak right before sunset.

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#150 The Norco Crosses

Heading into the hills.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.945903°N, -117.517427°W.

Summary

Norco is Horse Capital USA.  At least it's Horse Capital of Southern California.  City streets are lined with walking paths for riding horses, which made me feel a bit out of place while driving to the trailhead.  I parked at Pikes Peak Park in a suburban community and walked down the street to Ingalls Equestrian Center.. 

Heading toward Peak 1261.

From there, a network of trails go into the hills, with the most notable destination being Pumpkin Rock.  While most visitors go to Pumpkin Rock, I deliberately bypassed a visit to it by heading straight into the hills from the equestrian center.  A decent use trail heads up to the ridge to the north of Pumpkin Rock.

On the summit of Peak 1261.

I summited Peak 1456 first, which had a cross on top, but it was in disrepair.  My next time up I found it badly damaged and lying on the ground.  Regardless, it was satisfying to reach the summit and appreciate the views.  I next extended out to Peak 1261, which has the best views on the hike. 

Riverside city views.

It is a bit out of the way from the loop but worth the effort getting to.  When heading back, and just below Peak 1456, the hike passes another impressive cross at an overlook point above Riverside.  Although not intended to, that point also marks the near halfway point between Peak 1261 and Peak 1477 (AKA: Ravitz), which is the high point on the hike.

Halfway to Peak 1477.

The hike continues up the ridge to the high points around Peak 1477.  Another grand cross marks the summit with great Inland Empire views. After topping out, the trail goes steeply downhill toward Crestview Avenue, where street walking goes the rest of the way back to Pikes Peak Park, forming a grand semi-loop through the Norco Hills.

Approaching the high point.

Reaching the top.

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#149 Peak 1913

Heading up the slope.

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 34.03733°N, -117.425952°W.

Summary

To avoid walking through a drainage tunnel from Martin Tudor Park, I parked in the neighborhood on the other side of the Sierra Avenue.  At the end of a cul-de-sac, the trail begins when bypassing a locked vehicle gate.  An easement continues around the side of the community and into the open spaces. 

A moment of steepness.

Peak 1913 becomes the target at that point. A use trail leaves the dirt road and begins elevating the slopes.  There are a few steep sections, but the climb is rather short. 

Mount Jurupa from the summit.

Once reaching the summit, there are great views of neighboring Mount Jurupa.  Otherwise, Inland Empire views are also expansive.  I simply returned the same way for a quick outing and claiming a peak on the day.

Summit views.

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#148 The "M" View

Getting a good view of the "M".

Southern California Map.

Driving Map.

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Hiking Map.

Google Maps Trailhead Link

Parking coordinates: 33.95902°N, -117.2722°W.

Summary

While still being early in my 1,000 hike quest,  I felt the need to get as many as I could to get my numbers up.  In that process, I had an internal argument: Do I provide comprehensive hiking plans, or also count short hikes as appropriate destinations.  Although I mostly sided with the comprehensive choices, on certain days, I felt that short outings were hikes too.

Looking up at Box Springs Mountain.

Thus hiking days take into account your current frame of mind.  Therefore, in retrospect, I think I would have included this hike as part of the #76 hike (The M Hike).  This would have only added about an additional half mile to that hike.  With that being decided, If I become a published author of my hikes, I would consolidate this hike with hike #76.  That means that I get to gather a completely new hike to add to my list someday.

At the overlook above Moreno Valley.

Meanwhile, with the desire to complete a short hike with some sweat equity, this is a good option.  The trail goes on The M Trail for much of the way, but there are also side trails that I included this time around, thus making it seem like a completely different hike.

Viewing the "M" from the overlook.

It eventually breaks off from the M Trail and extends south to an overlook over Moreno Valley.  To the NW sits the "M" in a perfectly clear view.  It is definitely the highlight of the hike.  If choosing to make this the turnaround point, as I did on the day, I returned the same way, while taking in some of the lower overlooks that face the east.  Kind of mini hiking adventure, but well worth the effort!

One last look on the way back.

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