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Strawberry Peak -> Gabrielino Trail

Mountain Biking Trail

Hard
24.76 mi
2,789 ft
An epic point-to-point route combination with a net elevation loss.

This 25-mile route combining the Strawberry Peak Loop and the Gabrielino Trail is not for the faint of heart! This epic point-to-point route boasts a gross elevation loss of almost 6,000 vertical feet, but to descend all that way, you’ll still have to climb a whopping 3,500 feet.

Essentially, this ride combines two popular So Cal trails into one massive outing. The loop around Strawberry Peak, on the upper end of this ride, is probably the most popular portion of the ride. If you prefer to simply complete the upper loop and return to your original trailhead, that loop is a fantastic ride in and of itself.

Strawberry Peak is the tallest peak in the front range of the San Gabriels, measuring 6,165 feet tall. This loop wraps around the peak on narrow bench cut singletrack high in the mountains. In places, the trail bench is very narrow and exposed, with significant fall danger down the steep mountainside. However, that exposed bench provides stunning views of the massive San Gabriel mountains spreading out in all directions! This may be one of the most visually-stunning trails in the Los Angeles area. In keeping with So Cal mountain biking, some sections of the trail are fast and buff, and others are chunky and rocky.

The second portion of the ride as mapped here follows about half of the Gabrielino Trail down to the outskirts of Los Angeles. Depending on the year, this section of trail is sometimes overgrown or in disrepair. While it’s common for hikers to use either end of this trail, connecting all the way through can sometimes be hit or miss depending on the conditions. It’s advisable to check with local bike shops or advocacy organizations before attempting this section of trail. However, according to a recent report [by Ben Goyette]( in January, 2019, “the Gabrielino Trail was recently reopened in its entirety thanks to the efforts of some 100 trail building volunteers.” Hopefully the trail stays open and rideable for many years to come!

The Gabrielino Trail also boasts some seriously exposed benches with a long, harsh fall to the downhill side. Some of the exposure is so severe that it could even be death-defying. Thankfully, most of the exposed benches are relatively smooth, and most of the ultra-technical rock sections are reserved for the areas lower in the canyon.

While the Gabrielino Trail does boast some fast, flowy one-track, certain spots feature burly rock gardens that are guaranteed to challenge most any rider!

Sources:


Written by Greg Heil
Created By
Strava Routes

Route and Elevation

Segments

NameDistanceElev. Diff.Avg. Grade
Angeles Crest Highway Climb0.60 mi289 ft9.0%
Strawberry to Gab split18.41 mi-2,297 ft-0.6%
Super Strawberry- Clear Creek to JPL23.48 mi-4,085 ft-2.0%
Josephine Saddle Fireroad2.41 mi1,240 ft9.7%
Strawberries - Clear Creek to Redbox 10.06 mi1,555 ft2.0%
strawberry peak fireroad climb2.34 mi1,148 ft9.3%
Late to the game.2.28 mi1,089 ft9.0%
Strawberry peak complete climb7.23 mi1,381 ft3.6%
strawberry peak exposure climb2.14 mi194 ft1.1%
Strawberry Peak North3.64 mi-640 ft-2.2%
Colby Canyon Tr. Strawberry Saddle to Strawberry Peak Tr.3.12 mi-558 ft-2.6%
Strawberry Mid (the goods) DH1.13 mi-394 ft-6.1%
Strawberry loop backside descent1.85 mi-568 ft-5.7%
Strawberry Buff DH0.54 mi-325 ft-11.3%
Strawberry Mid section DH1.31 mi-558 ft-8.0%
Angeles Forest Hwy Climb0.60 mi341 ft10.6%
Strawberry Peak Tr. Colby Canyon Tr to Red Box4.16 mi748 ft0.9%
Strawberry Peak East to Saddle1.79 mi728 ft7.6%
Angeles Crest Hwy Climb1.20 mi417 ft6.6%
Strawberry Peak Downhill to Hwy2.34 mi-643 ft-4.7%
strawberry peak complete DH5.98 mi-1,795 ft-5.7%
lawless traverse 1.29 mi-302 ft-4.4%
Strawberry Peak End DH to street1.06 mi-358 ft-6.4%
Grasschopper4.40 mi-1,388 ft-5.8%
Gabrieleno Trail Downhill4.30 mi-1,325 ft-5.7%
RedBox to Split6.82 mi-1,673 ft-4.4%
Gabrielino Descent from Red Box to Switzer Picnic Area3.97 mi-1,283 ft-6.1%
Gabrielino--Redbox through rock garden2.32 mi-758 ft-6.2%
Red Box to JPL14.15 mi-3,455 ft-4.6%
Redbox - Gab down12.84 mi-3,373 ft-5.0%
Gabrieleno Down (upper half)2.92 mi-1,047 ft-6.5%
Gabrieleno Down4.07 mi-1,335 ft-6.2%
Redbox Rockgarden0.07 mi-62 ft-15.5%
True Redbox Rock Garden0.05 mi-56 ft-18.6%
Gabrielino Push to the End!!!1.09 mi-276 ft-4.2%
The Gab - Part 1!1.17 mi-732 ft-11.8%
Scenic river cruise DH1.85 mi-1,033 ft-10.6%
GABBY TO LONG CANYON DH0.56 mi-282 ft-9.4%
Bottom of KB to Bottom of Fire Station Trail1.22 mi-272 ft-2.8%
steep climb on the ken burton runout0.15 mi154 ft18.9%
Dam Down 2 Gould1.64 mi-256 ft-3.0%
BrownTop 2 Log Hop1.60 mi-279 ft-3.2%
Blue Wheelbarrow to Brown Junction2.37 mi-463 ft-3.7%
Bridge to Ranger House1.89 mi-295 ft-3.0%
Gould Mesa to Ranger Cabin1.18 mi-200 ft-3.2%
JPL Shortcut0.13 mi-33 ft-3.4%
JPL Parking lot hill0.07 mi26 ft6.0%
JPL Gate to Windsor Gate0.61 mi56 ft1.7%
Gabrieleno Trail - JPL to Ventura0.54 mi43 ft1.2%