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Peak San Jacinto
Group N/A
Trailhead Marion Mountain Trail

Another 2 hour + drive to the trailhead was even more complicated by having to stop at the ranger station in Idyllwild. I was there before it open so I was relieved there were some self-permitting forms. I drove back to Marion Mountain Trail and was able to get on the trail by 7am.

I read many reviews of the hike and everyone said the first two miles are tough and the last mile is tough. I found the first part to be understated and the second to be highly overstated. I was happy to take on those first 2 miles with fresh legs. They are BRUTAL. Even when the trail “evens out” some, its not really super easy. Its a climb all the way up. My plan was to get to Little Round Valley and eat and relax for a mile to take on that last mile.

Maybe it is just the idea that after Little Round Valley was going to be as difficult as the first part of the trip has be fueled up, but I found it to be fairly steady switchbacks that were not as hellish as described. Don’t get me wrong, its not easy but compared to the 4th level of hell that the first two miles are, its a piece of piss.

Muir said, “The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!” He wasn’t lying about the view, but the problem is so many people at the peak, we’re talking probably between 50-100 that it was kinda tough get that same special feeling. So maybe not Sublime but more 311. I guess that’s what I get for having a job where I can only hike on the weekends like everyone else.

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