I am taking it easy this Sunday and doing something local. I am thinking about hiking Josephine Peak via the west ridge. Sort of exploratory, but I have read a trip report about this been done before and goes pretty easy. Maybe include Strawberry Peak in the hike and set up a car shuttle.
Anyone interested?
let me know!
Josephine Peak via West Ridge
Here is a Map of the proposed route: I have added Lawlor as well.
And here is the Google Earth KMZ file:
http://www.class3hiking.com/josephine-s ... lawlor.kmz
And here is the Google Earth KMZ file:
http://www.class3hiking.com/josephine-s ... lawlor.kmz
I just sent you this e-mail, but will post incase others are interested.
Here is a brief trip report.
http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/archives/hps01360.htm
We would park at the 22.45 mile marker just off Angeles Forest Highway (left off of ACH). If you read the trip report, the author sugests hiking up the drainage a bit first then hiking up to the subisdary ridge to the main ridge. We can play it by ear. It doesn't look bad to just gain the subsidary ridge directly. This section is said to the the most difficult and most brushy.
I don't know if you looked at the route I propose, but I would like to stay on this main ridge and follow the east ridge down to Josephne saddle (rather than hiking the fireroad), then up to Strawberry down and up Lawlor. I uploaded the map here:
http://www.gpsmountaineering.com/joseph ... awestrdige
Here is a brief trip report.
http://angeles.sierraclub.org/hps/archives/hps01360.htm
We would park at the 22.45 mile marker just off Angeles Forest Highway (left off of ACH). If you read the trip report, the author sugests hiking up the drainage a bit first then hiking up to the subisdary ridge to the main ridge. We can play it by ear. It doesn't look bad to just gain the subsidary ridge directly. This section is said to the the most difficult and most brushy.
I don't know if you looked at the route I propose, but I would like to stay on this main ridge and follow the east ridge down to Josephne saddle (rather than hiking the fireroad), then up to Strawberry down and up Lawlor. I uploaded the map here:
http://www.gpsmountaineering.com/joseph ... awestrdige
Yes, I forgot about needing a shuttle. If we don't get any other participants then I guess we will both need to drive. Meet at Red Box for 7 am, we will drop a car and drive down to our starting point. Tom is out of town and Ryan is heading out to New Jack City.
I think your proposed route includes too much "trail" and bypasses a few bushes. 
Kudos, though, on choosing to do it with rain/snow in the forecast!
Seriously, looks like you've found one of the more difficult/fun ways to bag Josephine. I'd guess you'll have some snow on Strawberry.
Kudos, though, on choosing to do it with rain/snow in the forecast!
Seriously, looks like you've found one of the more difficult/fun ways to bag Josephine. I'd guess you'll have some snow on Strawberry.
Looks interesting. Haven't tried that SW ridge approach up Josephine. I'll be curious to see your TR.
It probably is best with a car shuttle, but I've done the loop up Colby, over Strawberry, and then out at Red Box more than once. I've always managed to hitch hike.
Yeah, I know, hitchhiking. In LA County.
So I've got a death wish (not really). Seriously though, I've often met other hikers on the trail, talked with them a while, and then, if they seem cool, asked them if they've got an extra seat. No, not the most reliable, but it might be an option. I've not had a problem with it.
If you don't mind a few extra miles, you can also skip Lawlor and instead turn left (Northish) when you get off Stawberry Pk, head to Straberry Cienaga (there is an intermittant spring on this section BTW), then from the cienaga back to the saddle (Josephine Saddle) where the trail up Colby Canyon comes back in. From here you can retrace your steps or go down the Colby Canyon Trail. If you go down the Colby Canyon Trail, you still have to have a shuttle, but it's a lot shorter than driving to Red Box. The back side of Strawberry is interesting if you haven't been. Just an option of course. Your planned route looks great
You could also descend via the fire road to Clear Cr Junction where the little mini ranger station is, but personally I find fire roads to be stultifyingly boring.
It probably is best with a car shuttle, but I've done the loop up Colby, over Strawberry, and then out at Red Box more than once. I've always managed to hitch hike.
Yeah, I know, hitchhiking. In LA County.
So I've got a death wish (not really). Seriously though, I've often met other hikers on the trail, talked with them a while, and then, if they seem cool, asked them if they've got an extra seat. No, not the most reliable, but it might be an option. I've not had a problem with it.If you don't mind a few extra miles, you can also skip Lawlor and instead turn left (Northish) when you get off Stawberry Pk, head to Straberry Cienaga (there is an intermittant spring on this section BTW), then from the cienaga back to the saddle (Josephine Saddle) where the trail up Colby Canyon comes back in. From here you can retrace your steps or go down the Colby Canyon Trail. If you go down the Colby Canyon Trail, you still have to have a shuttle, but it's a lot shorter than driving to Red Box. The back side of Strawberry is interesting if you haven't been. Just an option of course. Your planned route looks great
You could also descend via the fire road to Clear Cr Junction where the little mini ranger station is, but personally I find fire roads to be stultifyingly boring.
Ok. Red Box at 7 am. We'll have to keep track of the weather though. If there is fresh snow or ice on SR2 you'll get stopped at the big turnout before Clear Creek Junction and be required to put on chains or have snow tires.Travis wrote:Yes, I forgot about needing a shuttle. If we don't get any other participants then I guess we will both need to drive. Meet at Red Box for 7 am, we will drop a car and drive down to our starting point. Tom is out of town and Ryan is heading out to New Jack City.