Trail Review: Josephine Peak
Trailhead: Josephine Peak Road; Across the street from the US Forest Service Clear Creek Fire Station
Parking: Free parking along the roadside just next to the US Forest Service Clear Creek Fire Station
Distance: 8.6 miles out & back
Josephine Peak is an easy to get to trail that is just 30-ish minutes from LA in the Angeles National Forest. The trail is a wide fire road that allows for easy passing of other hikers and the elevation gain is consistent but never too steep. The very rocky path does eventually wear on your feet but that is a small price to pay for an amazing view that stretches all the way to the ocean (if the haze isn't too bad).
Not too far up the path is a "turnout" that provides your first great view of the city. Downtown Los Angeles peaks through the opening between mountains in a perfect lineup. But this is only the first great view of many on the way up to the peak.
Josephine Peak itself is a little hard to see from the trail. It's farther west than you might think when looking up at the peaks directly above. The way to discern which peak is Josephine is to look for the metal structure sticking up from the top. That's because there is a small hut with antenna and solar panels at the top of Josephine which are just visible enough to help pinpoint the peak from below.
On the way up, you'll also get a good view of Strawberry Peak and Mt. Lawlor to the east. The trail to Josephine peak is pretty straightforward. There is only one fork in the road where the Strawberry Saddle Trail meets up with the Josephine Peak Road. If you are adventurous and have more time, you may consider adding on the Strawberry Saddle Trail after Josephine Peak but be warned that Strawberry Peak, particularly coming at it from the west side is more difficult that Josephine Peak.
If you stay on the wide path to the left at the saddle intersection, you'll make your way up to Josephine Peak. The last portion of the trail mostly follows the north side of the mountain and therefore is very shaded. It actually got kind of cold in the shade, particularly on the way down. If doing this trail in the cooler months, you may want to consider bringing an extra layer for this section.
Finally, when you reach the peak, the trail narrows as it brings you to the very top above the hut. There are a few random stone and metal structures including a set of shelves that had some workout items and other things people have left behind. But at the top, the real reward is the view:
Once you are done soaking in the views, just head back the way you came to get back to the trailhead. It took us about 3.5 hours total to get to the peak and back.
Bottom Line: A wide, fairly easy trail, in the Angeles National Forest that provides a great view at the top.
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