EISPIRATEN

I've been kinda derelict in posting TRs about some of my ramblings lately so this is to make amends. A couple of weeks back, a friend and I made a quick trip up Strawberry's southeast ridge from Red Box on a sweaty and humid Sunday morning. The main trail from Red Box to the saddle between Lawlor and Strawberry was in very good shape. The use trail along the ridge from the saddle to Strawberry's summit was fairly well worn and easy to follow with no major PDB incursions. I did manage to get off track on the descent and ended up on Strawberry's south side and had to thrash through a bunch of prickly/sticky/grabby stuff to get back to the ridge, but other than that, it was a fun day out and the clouds were amazing. Gonna try the approach from Josephine Saddle on the west side next time.

Here's some pics for your visual pleasure:


Looking west from near the junction of the old fire road and 12W05.2


View north from the saddle between Lawlor and Strawberry


Yucca stock and threatening skies


Typical conditions on the southeast ridge


Lawlor from the southeast ridge


View north as we ascend the ridge


Further up, San Gabriel, Disappointment, and Deception come into view


View northwest from Strawberry's summit


Now looking northeast-ish toward Pacifico, Hillyer, Waterman, and the Twins


View south down the Arroyo Seco


Looking southeast at the Wilson cluster

The end

Great views all around from Strawberry. Thanks for the photos.

The meadow on the north side is supposed to be lush, but looks brown and baked.

Looks like perfect weather. That's the route I took 20+ yrs ago for my only ascent of Strawberry.

BTW, I hear yucca stock makes a nice soup! (Should be 'stalk' in this context. Your caption gave me a nice chuckle. Thanks!)

Ha! Good catch TK. I'm gonna have to fire my proofreader. But since you mention it, Yucca stock does make for a nice soup, but if you want something truly outstanding, try adding some Manzanita berries and Black Sage into the mix.

Cool pics. That yucca looks spooky, like a nature-made scarecrow frightening away trespassers.