Do it! Worth the views and time and conversions you can have with a loved one on the way up. Not hard on the body.

Nice incline hike. Started at 6:28 am got up at 8:18 am. After 8:30 a lot of people show up. I like that I had the summit to my self for 15 min. Saw a B2 bomber circling the park. This was before fires, Jan1st 2025 read more

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I was here on Saturday, June 8th. I arrived around 6am, parked in front of Clear Creek Fire Station, summited at 8am, and back to the car around 930am. It's an easy trail. Easy to follow. There are several parking spots. I do suggest arriving early for a parking spot. There is a restroom across from Clear Creek Fire Station. Vault restroom. There was no sign at the top of Josephine Peak (FYI). Overall, it was a nice and warm hike. Happy Hiking! read more

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I've done this hike 3 times now. Twice via Colby Canyon and once from Clear Creek. Both options are a little over 8 miles but Colby is a bit steeper.Make sure to display your Adventure Pass parking permit.The first 2 miles are pretty steep and then you reach a saddle and the path to the right is the mountaineering route to Strawberry Peak and to the left will take you to Josephine. The next 2 miles is mostly flat or slight incline and this part of the trail is wider. Nice 360 views at the top. read more

Josephine Peak - Hiking Near Me - Palmdale, California

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Came on a weekend morning at 11AM, got parking off the road. Went up Colby Canyon which was somewhat steep but not too bad, no shade. Views at the top of Josephine Peak were great, mountains all around and could see downtown in the haze. Way down on the wide road was a lot wider, not steep at all. Took about 3 hours roundtrip, good hike! read more

Hit this trail on 2-6-21 at 10am. Everything has been said, but here's my two cents: The 4 miles up is a constant incline that wraps around the mountain. The view to the north/east/west is cool mountain peaks and valleys and the view to the south is LA smog. The north side of the mountain had a lot of snow/ice so tread carefully. The peak is a cool 360 degree view. The 4 miles down is fun and fast with gravity on your side. I went at a slow pace, so about 3 hours. I drank 2 liters of water and ate 2 protein bars. I saw a couple superstars running and/or biking the path, hardcore! No need for trekking poles. Bring water, protein, and a hat. I also bought a day Adventure Pass at Big 5 to avoid a ticket, but I didn't see anyone policing that. read more

Great trail. Wide, no scrambling, not crowded. Started at 745 on a Sunday. Done by 11. 4ish miles up...up,up,up. It's Sunny the first half... wear your sunscreen. Back half is shady and oaky and pretty. Still some snow but it's all packed down. Hikers were 90% wearing masks. Highly recommend. read more

What a nice trail that is rarely hiked! On the same pathway as Strawberry Peak, Josephine Peak starts off on a dirt path and I spotted a few workers planting trees. My boyfriend and I parked on the side of the road because this place didn't really have a parking lot unless you wanted to walk the extra .75 miles. This hike is plenty of dirt and dirt and dirt. When you start feeling the incline and the trail curves left, be sure to take a look at the view on your right. That LA city smog sure is pretty. The rest of the hike is a slow climbing incline. It's manageable for anyone, but if you aren't too fit, beware of the impact of the elevation. You'll know you're at the top when you see a lot of trash (there's a trash can up near the top, but no one dumps it out I guess) and you see some solar panels. The view is pretty and from the top we saw snow on Baldy. Cool hike but don't be fooled by the reviews on gooogle. This hike can take up to 4 to 5 hours tops. read more

This is a nice 8 mile round trip hike with a 360 view at the summit. You can park near Clear Creek Fire Station or nearby Clear Creek Information Center, there are restrooms in the area. Display your adventure pass when parking here to avoid a ticket. NOTE: Restroom is closed due to Covid-19. You can find the start of the trail across from the Fire Station, walk past the yellow gate onto Josephine Peak Road. The hike up to Josephine Peak has a gradual incline, nothing steep so no trekking poles are needed unless you like using them. You can't get lost, stay on the Josephine Peak Road all the way to the top. At Josephine Saddle, there is a small trail going right towards Strawberry Peak, if you have time you can extend the adventure. Once you make it to the top, the views are awesome. There will be a small solar-powered building on the peak. Enjoy the view, then head back down the same way you hiked up. This is a popular location for trail runners and mountain biking. Alternative route, instead of starting at Clear Creek fire station area. You can start at Colby Canyon. If you want to hike a trail versus a service road. There is not a lot of shades, so be prepare to have sun block, hat and sunglasses if hiking mid afternoon. As always plan accordingly to the weather and have fun.i read more

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This review is for Josephine Peak via Colby Canyon Trail . It is more interesting and scenic than only taking the fire road. It is an out and back hike of about 8.3 miles with ~2,100' elevation gain/loss. The hike is heavily wooded early on. There are streams and lush greenery along the way. The trail has minimal rock under foot and is single file most of the way, until the last 0.5-1 mile, where it becomes and joins with the fire road to the peak. Most of the hike is on an incline, but the ascension is not that steep. You will recognize the peak when you see a small building surrounded by towers and solar panels. Views at the top are 360 degrees. DTLA can be seen on a clear day. tip - adventure pass needed parking - free lot on the side of the road read more

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PEEKING ON JOSEPHINE'S PEAK!!! BACKGROUND: Named for Josephine Lippencott, wife of USGS surveyor Joseph Barlow Lippencott who used this elevation for a triangulation station (1894). He would later insure the city of Santa Barbara with a steady source of water by planning the Gibraltar Dam on the Santa Inez River (1903, completed 1921), and was later the Hydraulic Engineer of the Owens Valley Aqueduct (1919). He was also involved in the planning of the Angeles Crest Highway. STATS: Distance: 8 miles Trail conditions: Fire Road & single track Route: Up and back Elevation gain: All uphill to the top (1900' gain) Restroom: Porta potty at the info center ESSENTIALS: At least 2 liters of water Know your limits Comfy hiking shoes with good lugs Layered Clothing High protein food/snacks Electrolytes Camera Hat (optional) Sunscreen Trek poles (optional) OUR ROUTE: On a warm and sunny morning, me and The Crew headed up Angeles Forest Highway for an uphill climb to Josephine Peak. Parking on the side of the road just across from Clear Creek Visitors Center, we threw on our packs, adjusted our straps, stretched our trekking poles, and headed up a fire road that seemed to never end. There's really not much to say about this hike, it is a straightforward hike on an easy to follow fire road to the top. On your way up, if you start going down, you are going the wrong way. The biggest challenges are, hike is fully exposed to the elements, so if you hike it in the warmer months dress appropriately, wear sunscreen and a hat, as well as bring lots of water and electrolytes. The views going up are amazing and from the top, the 360 degree view is breathtaking, DISCLAIMER: Hiking is not something that can be taken lightly. It can be life-threatening as you see and hear on the news, people die or get lost all time. Please, if you are going to hike, never go alone and prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Remember when going for a hike, no matter how short you think it may be, always be prepared. Carry at least two liters of water for every five miles (more if the weather is warm), protein bar, nuts, and electrolytes. Wear sturdy lug sole shoes and protective clothing. Some areas the weather can change quicker than a fireman can put on his gear. It is also very important, always always always let a family member or friend know where you are going and when you expect to be back. Lastly, have fun when you hike it up. Review 100 Yelp 100+ Challenge 2015 #HIKEITUP #HIKING #ANF read more

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A well maintained access road up to radio masts at the top of the peak. The hike is just a little under 8 miles round trip. Once you pass the yellow vehicle gate at the bottom of the access road, then its just a case of following this road up. No chance to get lost or off trail. It can get a little chilly first thing in the morning, even if its warm down in LA. parking: there's only 15 mins parking at the ranger station at the junction, so instead park on the gravel area on the other side of the street. Theres a sign nearby the says that you need to display your adventure pass. read more

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This is a pretty nice FIREWOOD hike up with amazing views all the way to the top. You get a 360 view of the entire angeles national forrest looking towards the city, strawberry peak and mt wilson. You can see everything. This is doable on a bike with climbing gears and definitely doable by foot. Its about 4 miles up and 4 miles down from clear creek ranger station where i recommend you park. Bring some water. It does get chilly in the shade. Im coming back! read more

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I completed this hike in December and I really enjoyed it. It was very cold in the morning at 8am, approximately 38 degrees fahrenheit. It's a moderate hike that follows a fire road, so nothing too complicated. I didn't need hiking poles either. Highly recommended! read more

Josephine Peak - At the peak - Hiking Near Me - Palmdale, California

Love this trail for the views. 360 degrees from the top, and great views of the entire L.A. basin on the way up. Also, considering the elevation gain, it's a relatively easy climb. read more

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Although Josephine Peak is in Palmdale, the Clear Creek Information Center where the hike starts is in La Cañada Flintridge. Technical details aside, the trailhead is not near the developed part of Palmdale, but nearest the cities of La Cañada Flintridge and Sunland. To avoid getting a ticket, buy a $5 Adventure Pass at the info center (or display a National Parks Interagency Annual Pass). Park across the street in a dirt turn-out because parking at the center is not allowed while on the trail unless you can bike 7.9 miles in 15 minutes. Away from the busier paths on the southern perimeter of the Angeles National Forest, the route has views and surroundings commonly found inside the parkland. With greater separation from city, fewer intrusions were the main appeal of Josephine Peak. Motorcycle noise could be heard from the mountain road, but went away once high enough. The small mast at the peak is only a slight intrusion, but otherwise there are no power lines. Farther from the city's pollution, the skies were bluer. Adding to the peacefulness were about a dozen different varieties of flower in bloom. Without signs, follow the widest road to the peak. The highly steady grade on the road ascends 1900' to the summit. The higher elevation meant temperatures 7 to 14 degrees cooler than the city which helped because there was very little shade. The lack of snake holes meant no run-ins with anything slithery. read more