Today was my 7th summit of San Jacinto from the Marion Mountain Trail and my 15th summit of San Jacinto in the last 4 years. It was also my completion of peak 6 of the 6-Pack (12-Pack, 😉 😉 ) of Peak Challenge. This hike started for me as a solo hike. However, I ran into Sara just past the Marion Mountain/PCT merger. She wasn't comfortable continuing on by herself, as the trail was a little difficult to follow once you get past the Fuller Ridge/PCT trail and Deer Springs Trail merger. So, I invited her to join me if she still wanted to summit. We had a great hike and were joined by 3 college students on our descent. My solo hike had turned into a group hike.

As far as the trail goes, there is still plenty of snow and once you get on the Deer Springs Trail (above 9,000′) to the summit it is easy to get off trail. We saw several people trying to negotiate the trail without any type of traction device. I brought a full load today. Spikes, poles, crampons, axe and helmet. Going up early made for an easy ascent just using micro-spikes. Coming down however, was a little more challenging. Very slick even with micro-spikes on. I couldn't imagine coming down without traction.

At the summit the weather was perfect. Temps in the 40's. Zero wind and beautiful blue skies. We saw a ton of people on the trail today coming from several different routes. Spoke to many PCTers as well at the summit.