San Jacinto Peak via Deer Springs Trail and Marion Mountain Trail
5.6 mi
Distance
2 hrs 10 min
Time
terrain
4,213 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail is tough hike. Trail surface is very uneven and full of rocks.
There are lots of shades. Round Valley Campsite @ 9720 ft elevation. It has a creek with cold crystal clear water which has no faint odor.
Moderate /Steep climb from trailhead into the first 3 miles.
There are ample of parking right next to trailhead entrance
Listed as 5.6 miles but Gaia GPS said 7.8 miles.
There are plenty of water but need to bring water filter. Bring trekking poles for the descend.
Getting Started
Park across from the water tower. The trailhead starts right there. If you are camping at the Marion Mountain campground, there is also a trailhead there that will connect to the main.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Solo backpacked Thurs-Fri 3/21-22/2024 – The Marion Mountain Trail makes you work when it’s dry so it was a beast with a few feet of spring snow and a heavier winter pack. Since it was warmer than expected, snowshoes were very helpful after the first mile and then the entire route to the peak. If you’re on the lighter side with only a day pack, bare boots may be a good option right now. The Marion and PCT trails were broken with constant 6-8 inch deep posthole tracks. Had to break the Deer Springs Trail to Little Round Valley which is always challenging to stay on route when crossing the slope traverses but the tree blazes are quite helpful. Took a break at Little Round Valley and set up camp before making a direct ascent up the west side of San Jacinto Peak which had perfect snow for going up on snowshoes with climbing bars. Both days had “bluebird” weather with spectacular views off the peak in little to no wind. The sunset on the way down to Little Round Valley was worth the trek up in itself. 4-5 feet of snow in Little Round Valley with the top 16 inches being very soft. Didn’t use crampons over the two days but good to bring if it gets colder again. Very nice and quiet camping in Little Round Valley with the low around 28°F. Recommend reading the San Jacinto Trail report (https://sanjacjon.com/) for updated trail conditions before heading out anywhere in SJ. Logged 8.98 miles/4530 vertical ft with Gaia ............................................................................................................................................................................ 10/18/22 Hike - made a loop out of the area above Strawberry Junction by taking the trail towards Wellman Divide after SJ peak with a few side excursions (20 miles). Great weather right now but usual strong winds on peak. Good time to hike this beautiful trail before snow comes. Will do Devil's Slide Trail in the snow but not this one. Met a lot of nice people on the peak and more on the way down. FYI-Little Round Valley and Strawberry Junction Camps were empty when passing by early morning.
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San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail is tough hike.
Trail surface is very uneven and full of rocks.
There are lots of shades.
Steep climb from trailhead into the first 3 miles.
Listed as 5.6 miles but Gaia GPS said 7.8 miles.
One can filter water @ Round Valley Campsite (9720 feet elev) . Bring trekking poles for the descend.
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Public Tracks
Marion Mountain Campground to Deer Springs Camp, Riverside County, CA, USA
Yikes this trail starts off steep from the get go! We took a wrong turn from the beginning so follow signs and will be good. The trail is definitely tough terrain. There are lots of rocks, boulders and even some trees that you have to maneuver over and around. Once you get to the top it was all worth it. The trail is shaded so that helps with the heat. It was beautiful at the top! So worth it!!
Mount San Jacinto via Marion Mountain Trail
Temp was 45F at 8am and there was only one other couple on the trail on a Saturday. No toilets at trailhead. A good portion of the trail was covered in snow, making it impossible to see the trail and slowing down the journey. Micro spikes helped a lot and my knees wished I had hiking poles for the decent.
San Jacinto from Marion trail (8/4/19, 6:32:41AM)
Very hard hike. Took me 10 hours to complete. Have lots of training to do
Marion Mountain-San Jacinto round trip
Trip from Marion Mountain Campground to San Jacinto Peak
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