San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain trailhead
Sept 18, 2022
Elevation: 10,834 ft
Total Elevation gain: 4,396 ft
Total Distance: 14 miles

Short and steep!

The sign at the trailhead states it’s 5.3 miles to the summit. It’s actually more like 6 1/2 miles if you follow the established trail. Some parts of it are covered in pine needles and so I went off the main trail about a mile and a half in. I did see hiker tracks and stacked rocks so it looked like an alternate use trail. Even so I had to bushwhack up a steep incline to rejoin the main route. This little detour ended up being a 7 1/2 mile climb to the summit 😫

There’s a water source around the 4 mile mark. At around 5 miles you’ll come to the Little Round Valley campground, complete with a wooden outhouse built by Indio’s Eagle Scout Troop 368, plus a standard port-a-potty. BYOTP💩

The traffic on the trail was pretty light today. I had the summit all to myself for a little while. It was breezy and chilly but, as always, the view was spectacular.

Peak # 3 of the SoCal #SixPackofPeaks challenge complete!