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 Reporter |
Summary: This hike has all the makings of a wilderness adventure including dramatic views from high mountain ridges, passages through lush forests, sparkling waterfalls and a optional side trip up to the summit of Strawberry Peak. The trail begins along Big Tujunga Canyon creek and ascends up into a dense pine forest with breathtaking views of the San Gabriel high country to the north before heading southeast towards the highlight of the trip at Strawberry Potrero. Here you can rest at a picnic table while enjoying the view of Strawberry Peak's sheer north face and giant talus field.The trail continues up to a hub near Josephine Saddle at the Colby Trail junction. Here there is an option of taking a sidetrip. To the left is a well-worn climber's route leading to the summit of Strawberry Peak.The final ascent is a steep scramble over large boulders. The Colby Canyon trail descends to a wooded creek and past a tall waterfall before taking you back to your car. Trailhead: From the 210 Freeway in Pasadena head north onto the Angeles Crest Highway. With two cars leave one at the unpaved turnout of the Colby Canyon trailhead on the north side of Angeles Crest Highway 0.7 mile east of Clear Creek Station . Take the other car 1.2 miles east from Angeles Forest Highway on Upper Big Tujunga Road, turn right on the road with a sign Colby Camp and descend to a large unpaved lot along Big Tujunga creek just past the bridge. The trailhead is located on the south side of the lot. (Lat:34.3097 Lon:-118.11365) Trail Guides for Big Tujunga to Colby Canyon: Afoot and Afield in Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Trails of the Angeles: 100 Hikes in the San Gabriels by John W. Robinson (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: U.S. Forest Service (626) 821-6764 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Eric Altizer, who has posted 13 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Don on 6/28/2008 Hiked to the left from Colby Camp off of the Upper Big Tujunga Road. It's a great hike,but not recommended for a first time hiker, theres no real trail and you have to stop and look at which direction you scramble along the rocks or boulders. We hiked to a waterfall only about 2 miles or so down the creek and there are some ropes to repel down, however unless you want to throw you pack to the sand and jump and swim down, theres no easy way to get down. We backtracked to a very nice swimming pool and had a great time. However!!! the massive graffiti is MASSIVE everywhere it really brought the place down and the trash together it was just ridiculous!!!
Reviewed by Don on 6/28/2008 Hiked to the left from Colby Camp off of the Upper Big Tujunga Road. It's a great hike,but not recommended for a first time hiker, theres no real trail and you have to stop and look at which direction you scramble along the rocks or boulders. We hiked to a waterfall only about 2 miles or so down the creek and there are some ropes to repel down, however unless you want to throw you pack to the sand and jump and swim down, theres no easy way to get down. We backtracked to a very nice swimming pool and had a great time. However!!! the massive graffiti is MASSIVE everywhere it really brought the place down and the trash together it was just ridiculous!!!
Reviewed by Don on 6/28/2008 Hiked to the left from Colby Camp off of the Upper Big Tujunga Road. It's a great hike,but not recommended for a first time hiker, theres no real trail and you have to stop and look at which direction you scramble along the rocks or boulders. We hiked to a waterfall only about 2 miles or so down the creek and there are some ropes to repel down, however unless you want to throw you pack to the sand and jump and swim down, theres no easy way to get down. We backtracked to a very nice swimming pool and had a great time. However!!! the massive graffiti is MASSIVE everywhere it really brought the place down and the trash together it was just ridiculous!!!
Reviewed by Don on 6/28/2008 Hiked to the left from Colby Camp off of the Upper Big Tujunga Road. It's a great hike,but not recommended for a first time hiker, theres no real trail and you have to stop and look at which direction you scramble along the rocks or boulders. We hiked to a waterfall only about 2 miles or so down the creek and there are some ropes to repel down, however unless you want to throw you pack to the sand and jump and swim down, theres no easy way to get down. We backtracked to a very nice swimming pool and had a great time. However!!! the massive graffiti is MASSIVE everywhere it really brought the place down and the trash together it was just ridiculous!!! 
Reviewed by Will on 5/13/2008 Hiked up and back from Colby Canyon- the scrambling made it a real alpine experience. It was a cloudy day and I broke through the clouds climbing up just below the peak- amazing!!!
Reviewed by Gerald on 3/17/2008 switch backs at first were difficult but easy to get the hang of very nice hike lots of rocks. but very nice
Reviewed by ERNIE on 3/5/2008 EXCELENT FISHING! ALTHOUGH STILL DISAPOINTED WITH PEPOLE WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO TREAT GOD'S GOOD EARTH, LITTER AND WRITTING ON ROCKS. THERE ARE ALOT OF GOOD FISHING HOLES WITH NATIVE TROUT LUNKERS YOU JUST HAVE TO BE WILLING TO HIKE IN AND GET WET. CATCH AND RELEASE IS MY ADVISE AND LET THE NEXT GUY HAVE A LITTLE FUN. HAVE A GOOD TIME AND LEAVE YOUR SPRAY CAN AT HOME AND PICK UP YOUR TRASH!
Reviewed by Jordan on 2/14/2008 Just did this one Feb. 9 2008. Great hike. The first part of this trail from Big Tujunga was unremarkable till we got above 4000 ft. Snow everywhere, awesome. On the back side/north face of Strawberry Peak there are huge snowfields and would make an awesome place to camp out, tons of room. If you do this hike within the next couple of weeks, gaiters and crampons are a must! Even snowshoes would work. Over a third of this trail is still under two feet of snow. Seriously, some parts were pretty treacherous without crampons/snowshoes. I thought gaiters were useless till now. I got snow all in my boots and my pants were soaked. Be prepared. All in all, I would do this hike again in a hot second. If you go in summer brings water-lots. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||