Our first attempt at this hike was in April via Marion Mountain Trail.  At about mile 9.5 we had to turn around – the snow became too deep and the ice falling from the trees was a bit too dangerous for our liking.  We decided to wait until the snow had melted.

Our Second attempt was a success, but quite odd.  Initially we were going to turn it into a backpacking trip, but the forecast of weather prompted us to hike the mountain as a day-hike.  It was actually an easier hike than imagined by taking the Ariel Tram.  About .10 mile from the summit near the rock house we discovered a man that appeared to be resting agains a large rock on the ground. Something told Carey to check on the man, it turns out he had passed soon before we found him.  Several off-duty first responder hikers were behind us and proceeded to perform CPR on the young man, but it was too late.  Once we left the scene and continued to the summit, snow immediately started to fall.

Not sure I will be visiting Mount San Jacinto again, but it will be a mountain to be remembered.