Last year, I hiked up Mount San Jacinto on the Marion Mountain Trail just one week after summiting San Gorgonio. Since San Gorgonio was a longer hike at a higher elevation, San Jacinto did not seem that difficult. Yesterday morning, I got a wake up call.  It is more difficult than I remembered.

In addition to it starting with a steep climb, what I find the hardest about this hike is that you are often having to step on rock or tree root “steps” to go up the trail. It can feel like one long StairMaster exercise. However, it is still my favorite peak for views and the scenery on the trail is beautiful. (By the way, none of the hikers at the summit could find the sign, so I took a photo of the Geodetic Survey Marker.)

I brought a jacket with me since the forecast showed a temperature in the 50s at the summit, but I did not need it. Back at the trailhead, the temperature was a bit on the warm side for me – in the high 80s.

Just one month – and one more hike up San Gorgonio – until Whitney!