The plan was for the three of us to hike a 17-mile loop to summit San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trailhead.
We arrived and geared up at 6:00 am leaving the Marion Mountain trailhead heading North East up Marion Mountain trail climbing 2,000 feet in 2.0 miles. The initial path was well-maintained sandy dirt with a few rocks with amazing views west through the forest and above the clouds.
Two miles in Marion Mountain Trail intersects the PCT Northbound, which we took on a West-Northwest heading and a slightly decreased incline. At about 9,000 feet, the snow appeared light initially but became increasingly difficult to hike and navigate through as we made our way to the summit. We crossed the North Fork San Jacinto River with dry feet and then transitioned to Deer Springs Trail, 3 miles from the initial trailhead.
We left the PCT and headed North-Northwest up Deer Springs Trail towards Little Round Valley. The steeper incline and increasing snowpack made it challenging and slowed our pace to 60 min miles. The 1.5 miles and 1,000-foot climb from Little Round Valley to the summit was exhausting and disorienting because the trail was almost completely covered in snow. Unable to track the switchbacks, we nearly trekked straight uphill in the snow with spikes, scrambling as many boulders and increasingly difficult-to-find dirt patches until we eventually reached the side trail to the Hut and summit.
Feeling exhausted and accomplished, we enjoyed lunch on the rocks and the fantastic views, took pictures, and enjoyed the moment with the dozen other people on the peak.
We geared up with spikes and headed South down Peak Trail on the East facing slope leading toward Wellman Divide. The descent was slow with the snow-covered trail but easy to navigate.
After Wellman Divide, we headed Southwest on Wellman Cienega Trail and crossed paths with a disoriented hiker that had lost his navigation system and had run out of water. He tagged along with up, and we refreshed his hydration bag, and he offered to give us a lift back to our trailhead parking spot. Being late in the day and tired from the snow climb, we opted in and saved 2 miles off our trek.
We reached the Wellman Cienega Trail intersection with the PCT where we broke from our original plan and headed Southbound instead of Northbound. At about 8,500 feet, we left the snow behind, and our downhill pace increased to 30 min miles.
At Saddle Junction, we headed West-Southwest on Devil's Slide Trail, heading to the Humber Park Trailhead, where our new friend’s car was parked. The trail switched from rocky alpine to sandy forest, and the four of us made the final 2.5-mile march to the car in the drizzly fog through the sandy switchbacks in the dark evening forest. We arrived at 8 pm and got our lift back to our car.
It was a super fun adventure!