Distance: 8 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 5558'
Elevation Gain: 1900'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 1.5
Round trip time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Recommended water: 48 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at Clear Creek Ranger Station
Difficulty: Moderate
Leisa and I ended the hiking year on Josephine Peak (HPS #229). We got a leisurely start around 9:00 AM and had to park in the overflow lot at Clear Creek Ranger Station. A half dozen other parties were also getting ready or getting started up the Josephine Fire Road. The road is smooth and in great shape. The gain is steady but never steep as it switchbacks up the mountain. Near the top, it goes around the north side, then spirals around to the summit. There are some antennas on top, a full register, and a benchmark stamped "Mount Lowe". The official Mount Lowe is now near Echo Mountain, so Josephine must have been renamed after the mark was placed. Nice 360 views, especially of Strawberry Peak. We shared the summit with several other hikers, then made great time down. A pleasant hike in unusually warm weather.
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