Josephine Peak via Colby Canyon

Trail: Josephine Peak via Colby Canyon

Miles: 8.2

Type: Out and Back

My Time: 3 Hours

Elevation Gain/Loss: 2133 ft.

Difficulty: Moderate

Parking Permit: Yes, Adventure Pass

Location: Angeles National Forest

Located off Highway 2 just outside of Los Angeles. Many hikers in the area know of Strawberry Peak…well Josephine Peak is just next-door! You can take Colby Canyon to Strawberry Peak via mountaineers route or go left towards Josephine Peak. This hike is just over 8 miles round-trip and roughly 2100 elevation feet gain.

I personally think Colby Canyon is an awesome section to hike. I have been to the Colby Canyon Trailhead three times now. There is always some form of water trickling down the middle. You may see a small waterfall off to the left-hand side when you are just beginning. Although when we went in May this waterfall was not even trickling. It looked as if it was just a wet wall, but clearly can see it has water run off in the winter/early spring. But, there were green plants everywhere! Even a ton of pretty flowers, so it definitely had a good spring feeling to it. It was awesome to see it so lush, especially for Los Angeles area.

The canyon is short-lived as you start gaining elevation fairly quickly. Now, no matter what time of the year we’ve gone, this hike always seems to be really warm. It is pretty close to the cities and not very high elevation is my thoughts on why it feels so warm. So, with that being said, I recommend you go super early. This hike is a very sun exposed as soon as you start heading up out of the canyon. If you start super early, you can make it through the canyon, up the first section of switchbacks before the sun rises above the surrounding mountains. We were able to do so be starting just after 6am.

Speaking of switch backs! There is a decent switchback section to get you to the top of the canyon. This section is fairly moderate in my opinion, but in the direct sun can be really brutal! Once you’ve reached the top of the switchbacks, there is a cement UFO looking saucer. I’ve seen pictures of people doing yoga on it. You can definitely walk up on there and take pictures if you’d like. I truly don’t know exactly what it is, just be careful of the hole in the middle full of water. Unknown how deep it is!

From here it is a short single track which connects you to the fire road. This will take you to Josephine Peak with no confusion of other side trails. This section of the hike is fairly easy in comparison to coming up out of the canyon. A gradual incline taking you to the peak. The two times I’ve been to Josephine Peak we had the summit to ourselves! There is a desk/bookcase with some interesting things in it. Also, as of our most recent hike, a wooden sign with “Josephine Peak” on it for you to take a selfie with! When it is a clear day you can see downtown LA and the Pacific Ocean.

There are 1 million lizards on this trail and out of the three times I’ve been on this trail, I have seen three snakes! None which have been rattlesnakes though.

I have seen dogs on this trail so I would assume it is dog friendly. As I mentioned earlier because it is very sun exposed I would highly recommend bringing sun protection and wearing sunscreen. For me personally 1.5 liters of water was plenty to get me through this hike.

Don’t forget to respect nature and pack all your trash out!

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