ATTENTION: Special Events are different than our regular club runs and are for current club members only! 

SAN JACINTO MOUNTAIN – Elevation 10,834′ (3,302m)

Once you reach the peak you are rewarded with wonderful views. You can see the inland empire, Palm Desert, the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains, Mt. Palomar in San Diego, Santiago and Modjeska peaks, and on a really clear day, you might even catch a glimpse of Catalina Island.

There are several routes up San Jacinto. Most people take the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up from the desert floor and begin their journey in Long Valley.

We will be starting from the Marion Mountain trail head and offer the out & back (13.2 miles) or the lollipop loop (20 miles)

The Marion Mountain route begins a few miles north of Idyllwild. It’s the shortest route up Mt. San Jacinto. It’s also steep, relentlessly climbing over 4,600 feet in just 5.7 miles,  the trail climbs almost continuously, with a short breather at Little Round Valley before the final ascent to the saddle and the summit, then retrace your steps to go back.

As a trail runners club some of us will make it a 20 mile loop, the way up to the peak will start on the Marion Mountain route but then we will veer to the right and make it a loop to reach the top, after summiting we will go down the 5.7 miles via the steep Marion Mountain route.

Trailhead address: Marion Mountain Campground Road, San Bernardino National Forest, Idyllwild, CA 92549
Trailhead coordinates: 33.79117, -116.735386 (33° 47′ 28.21″N 116° 44′ 07.38″W)
From the last turn onto Marion Mountain Campground Road, it is 0.7 miles to the Marion Mountain Trailhead, which will be on the right across from a dirt parking lot. Park here. The road ends in another quarter mile at Marion Mountain Campground.

We are meeting at the Ranger Station in Idyllwild at 7 am to fill out our hiking permits. We will carpool from there to the trailhead and start the hike by 7:30 am.

More info to read on the SoCal Hiker website

Also Hikespeak has a good description of hiking via the Marion Mountain trail

Another account with tons of pictures (not the route we are taking) the hiking guy

This is a members only event, members will get more details via email.