San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 11.8 miles / 19.0 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: Naturalist John Muir wrote of San Jacinto Peak, “The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!” Who am I to argue with Muir? At 10,834′ Mt. San Jacinto does indeed reward the determined hiker with wonderful views. You can see the inland empire, Palm Desert, the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains, Mt. Palomar in San Diego, Santiago and Modjeska peaks, and on a really clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Catalina Island.

There are several routes up San Jacinto. Most people take the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up from the desert floor and begin their journey in Long Valley. The lesser-travelled Marion Mountain trail skips the tram, beginning a few miles north of Idyllwild. It’s the shortest route up Mt. San Jacinto. It’s also steep, relentlessly climbing over 4,600 feet in just 5.7 miles.

In spite of the rigor, this is a beautiful, rewarding hike.

This is the fifth of six southern California summits in the 6-Pack of Peaks bundle. Done in sequence, they provide great training anyone preparing for bigger hikes such as Mt. Whitney or Half Dome. Each hike in the 6-Pack is progressively higher in altitude, and all have respectable distance and vertical elevation gain.

Tips: Allow sufficient time to get to the trailhead. This place is not freeway-close by any measure. It took us a full two hours to get there from Orange County. Add your driving time to the hiking time, and you’ve pretty nearly filled your day.

Second, if you’re meeting your hiking partners, plan to meet at the Ranger Station in Idyllwild, then caravan to the trailhead outside of town. It’s easy to find the Ranger Station; but not so easy to find the trailhead.

Permits are required, even for day hikes. You can get one easily however. There are self-service forms to fill out at the ranger station in Idyllwild at 25905 State Highway 243.

A National Forest Adventure Pass must be displayed in your parked car at the trailhead.

Finally, when you've finished your hike, stop in Idyllwild for a cold beverage and a well-earned meal at Arriba's Mexican Restaurant. Great prices and nice outdoor patios.

Points of Interest

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Marion Mountain Trailhead Parking

The Marion Mountain trailhead can be reached off of CA 243 a few miles north of Idyllwild. There are signs indicating where to turn for the Fern Basin and Marion Mountain campgrounds. The trailhead begins on road 4S71 between the campgrounds.

If you've never been to this trailhead before, allow extra travel time.

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Steadily Climbing

The trail has good coverage up to Little Round Valley, and climbs steadily upward with only the occasional switchback. During the spring, you'll cross many little rivulets as the snow pack at higher elevations melts.

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Little Round Valley Campground

This idyllic little valley has a sub-alpine meadow with a spring-fed creek. There are backpacker campsites here, requiring overnight permits.

There is a chemical toilet in the center of the campground; the only facilities on this trail.

Little Round Valley is a nice place to rest for a bit before the final push to the Saddle Junction and summit, but can be busy with mosquitos.

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[JCT] Saddle Junction

At this point, you are almost at the summit! You join up with a the trail from the east side, and turn north toward the summit.

The Log - A popular place to regroup Photo

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Stone Hut

The stone hut is an emergency shelter and storage for donated emergency supplies (food, water and other basics). There are four bunks in the hut, but as the sign on the door states, a good tent will keep you warmer.

If you do deposit (or take) any supplies, be sure to securely close the supply cabinet to keep mice out. Likewise, close and latch the door to the hut when you leave.

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San Jacinto Peak

Just past the stone hut, you'll head west and boulder scramble up to the summit. Nothing technical, and on most days, you will have plenty of company on this popular 10,834' summit.

And as Muir noted, the views are indeed sublime.

Enjoy your lunch, and retrace your steps to the trailhead parking.