Strawberry Peak - JPL

[scottay]

Rode the normal Strawberry route today. Just a heads-up, the climb out of the "meadow" looks like it will be HAB, its all loose thick DG. And there's a DG slide covering the trail before Colby, its been there awhile, but be aware of it.
Also, it was very HOT! Have fun......


scott

[stormrydah]

ive done this trail when strawberry peak had some snow.
sick trail. must be the best trail in OC!

[vandyketom]

7 AMFog72°72°2 mph SSW70%4%08 AMFog73°73°2 mph SSW68%4%19 AMFog76°76°5 mph SSW61%4%310 AMClear79°79°7 mph SSW55%4%611 AMClear83°83°9 mph SSW48%4%9NoonClear85°85°9 mph SSW46%4%111 PMClear86°87°9 mph SSW44%4%112 PMClear88°88°9 mph SSW41%4%10

[kanga]

Originally Posted by scottay

Rode the normal Strawberry route today. Just a heads-up, the climb out of the "meadow" looks like it will be HAB, its all loose thick DG. And there's a DG slide covering the trail before Colby, its been there awhile, but be aware of it.
Also, it was very HOT! Have fun......


scott

I usually have to hike the two switchbacks and an extra 50 yards or so of the climb out of the potrero at this time of year when it's dry. After rain or in the winter it's more doable. But the bonus for a fairly short HAB is the long descent to the meadow (a climb going the other way), then the technical descent of Colby Canyon.

I haven't decided which way I'll climb yet, but I should be there (redbox) about 8. Anyone bringing radios? Let me know what channel you'll be on. If I'm behind and there are no radios, I'll just head up the strawberry peak trail, and hopefully hook up by Strawberry Potrero (the meadow north of the peak).

See ya there.

Originally Posted by stormrydah

ive done this trail when strawberry peak had some snow.
sick trail. must be the best trail in OC!

OC? We talkin' the same trail here?

Originally Posted by silkworm

We will be bypassing the Strawberry Peak climb and starting off with Colby then into the Gab and then down to JPL.

Just so everyone is clear on the planned route:

Start at redbox. Cross the ACH and climb the strawberry peak trail up and over the saddle, down to the junction with the Colby trail (just after the tight switchbacks near the bottom). Colby trail climbs from that intersection (there's a sign-in box and a wood sign) up to Strawberry Potrero (the meadow). From there a short, loose HAB climb then a rolling climb/descent around the rest of the colby trail to Colby Saddle. From colby saddle descend the Colby Canyon Trail to the ACH. Options: right on ACH for a short climb to the top of Switzers. Left on ACH 1.5 miles to a fire-road gate on the hairpin bend that takes you to the waterfall section of the Gab. From there (or from Switzers) ride the Gab through Switzers and on down to Oakwilde and out to JPL.

Lots of PO on the Gab between Switzers and Oakwilde, and sections of Colby Canyon are very rocky and technical. I'll be bringing pads (both for PO and Rocks). Some serious exposure at several places along each section.

I'll also have a water filter to fill up at Oakwilde or before if anyone is out of water.

[epicriderat]

Originally Posted by kanga

Just so everyone is clear on the planned route:

Sounds like a great route, I'm looking forward to it. I don't have a radio, but we should be able to hook up at Red Box.

[silkworm]

can't wait, thanks for the review kanga - we'll wait at the top until 8:15/8:20 in the redbox parking lot at the corner of rebox and ach. i think you may be the only one sure of the reverse route and colby, so hopefully you'll make it! if your close and don't want to miss us you can call my cell, i just pm'd you. see you tomorrow.