California · Hiking · Near Bear Valley

Pinecrest to Strawberry

Pinecrest to StrawberryPhoto: Doug Letterman, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.4 mi
round trip
290 ft
climb
5,665 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Pinecrest to Strawberry open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Stanislaus National Forest. It doesn't name Pinecrest to Strawberry, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Stanislaus National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Pinecrest to Strawberry is an easy, out-and-back hike of about 1.4 miles in the Summit Ranger District of Stanislaus National Forest in California. The trail rises about 290 feet from a low point of 5,360 feet to a high of 5,665 feet, and it is open year-round. The route is short and gentle, with a natural surface and no steep stretches. Bikes are allowed, so it works for hikers and riders alike. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Cherry Valley Dam show May highs around 70°F and October highs around 70°F, while July and August average highs near 89°F. That station sits about 900 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Pinecrest Peak is just 0.3 miles away, and Pinecrest Lake N.R.T. and Pinecrest Day Use are both within a mile. Pinecrest campground is about 0.8 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Pinecrest

    Campground

    Campground · 0.8 mi from the trail

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Junkyardsparkle, CC0 (commons)

More in Bear Valley
  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Pinecrest to Strawberry

    Best months: May–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 31°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      51° / 31°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      55° / 33°

      10 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      61° / 37°

      8 wet · 2 snow

    5. May

      70° / 44°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      80° / 51°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      89° / 58°

      1 wet

    8. Aug

      89° / 57°

      1 wet

    9. Sep

      82° / 53°

      2 wet

    10. Oct

      70° / 44°

      4 wet

    11. Nov

      57° / 36°

      7 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      49° / 31°

      9 wet · 4 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cherry Valley Dam, CA, 16.1 mi away at 4,765 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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