| Peak | San Jacinto |
|---|---|
| Group | Sunday Hikers (makeup hike) |
| Trailhead | Marion Mountain Trail |
This was my FAVORITE so far, out of the 5 completed. I don’t know what the other side is like, but the Idywild side had gorgeous sunset views.
It was only my hiking partner and myself on this practice overnight for Mt. Whitney.
We started later on purpose. The plan was to hike to Little Round Valley, camp, summit the next morning. However we started a little later than we wanted and didn’t make camp until after sunset, which my sunset picture will show, we were still on the trail at that time.
At two miles in we stopped for a snack and rest at a perch that was on one of the switchbacks. We got water at one of the three little springs we passed. There was also a small creek that ran right by our campsite.
The campground was not at all what I expected. From reading I thought it would be a meadow with a port-o-potty right in the middle. The sites were well off the trail and marked by little posts. I think we stayed at “Owls Perch” or HOOT. Can’t rember, it was dark. We also camped RIGHT next to the trail…..again…..it was dark.
We got a chance to try out our camping stoves. I got the MSR Windburner and he got just a regular little open flame burner. You could DEFINITELY tell the difference between the speed of heating water between the two. Mountain House Red Beans and Rice and a cookie.
We got up the next morning, light breakfast, hit the summit, then back to camp. After that, broke it down, and down we went.
Totally picturesque. I found a bunch of places to stop and take on breathtaking views.
Lessons learned:
1. always set up camp before sunset.
2. Mix Mountain House Red Beans and Rice well before eating….all the spices were at the bottom and made for a bland 1st half, and a SUPER SPICY 2nd half.
