Six hikers met at Lloyd's of La Cañada for the traditional, though abbreviated pre-hike breakfast at 6:30 am, and these six joined seven others at 7:00 at the La Cañada meeting place for the caravan to the road head at Colby Canyon. After shuttling two cars to Red Box, we began our hike up the Colby Canyon Trail at 8:00. Weather this day was beautiful, with sunny skies. It was breezy at times, and temperatures were moderately cool.
Stag led us up the trail to the ridge top, which we gained in approximately one hour. We then scrambled up the west ridge of Strawberry, occasionally stopping to enjoy clear views of nearby peaks. There were no problems en route. We arrived at the summit of Strawberry at about 10:30 where we enjoyed a mid-morning snack. Stag and his lovely bride Nami had brought pears, oranges and apples to share.
We left the summit at approximately 11:00 and headed towards the Lawlor/Strawberry saddle, where Joe led most of the group up Lawlor, a bonus peak. Some of the group took the trail to Red Box. We arrived on its summit just past noon. After a short rest there Stag led us down the steep, loose south face of Lawlor, then down the ridge to Red Box, arriving there before 2:00 pm.
Six of the group reconvened at Pepe's of La Cañada for post hike revelry.
