Hiking Marion Mountain Trail to San Jacinto Peak
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San Jacinto via Marion Mountain Trail is one of the original SoCal Six Pack of Peaks challenge hikes, and I chose this as my fifth peak for my 2024 challenge. This hike, which climbs from 6,330 to 10,834 feet, offered stunning views and a true test of endurance. In this blog post, I’ll share my experience on this trail and offer tips on dealing with altitude sickness now that I’ve unfortunately suffered from it.
About San Jacinto Peak
- The Marion Mountain Trail is a challenging but popular route, known for its steep ascent and lush forest scenery.
- The Deer Springs Trail is longer and less steep, providing a more gradual climb with diverse landscapes including dense woodlands and expansive meadows.
- The Devil’s Slide Trail, another favorite, begins in Humber Park and winds through pine forests and high-altitude meadows before joining the Pacific Crest Trail for a scenic approach to the summit.
- For those seeking a longer journey, the San Jacinto Peak via Fuller Ridge Trail offers a remote and rugged adventure.
- Finally, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway route combines a scenic tram ride with a hike, making it a popular choice for those looking to shorten their ascent.
Gear Recommendation for your San Jacinto hike
Hiking to San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain Trail
Reaching the trailhead
Parking at Marion Mountain trailhead
There is ample parking at the trailhead, but it requires the display of a San Bernardino National Forest Adventure Pass in your vehicle when using the Forest for recreational purposes.
Camping near Marion Mountain trailhead
The trailhead is also very close to the Marion Campground, where I stayed the night before. If you stay at that campground, you can start the hike from the campground and avoid the first half mile from the official trailhead. This option makes the hike slightly shorter, and a little less steep from the start.
Hiking to San Jacinto Peak
Starting from the official trailhead at 6,330 feet, the hike to San Jacinto Peak began with a challenging, steep ascent of two miles, which felt even steeper on the return journey. Beyond this initial climb, the trail eased up, though the elevation continued to rise, reaching 8,000 feet at the two-mile mark.
Along the way, the trail was adorned with vibrant wildflowers, and multiple water sources offered refreshments. The first water stop appeared within the first mile and a half, while the most notable one was located approximately 3.5 miles from the trailhead, accompanied by picturesque waterfalls. Several downed trees added a challenge to this hike, requiring climbing over them.
Somewhere between the PCT section and Little Round Valley, there was a very prickly overgrown section that will scratch your legs if you’re wearing shorts!
Beyond the Little Round Valley camping area, the trail ascended sharply with switchbacks leading to the summit. Despite the exertion, the panoramic views from these switchbacks were breathtaking, adding enjoyment to the climb. Near the summit at 0.3 miles away, Saddle Junction is where various trails converged, including those from the Palm Springs Tram, making this final stretch particularly busy.
A few steps up from Saddle Junction, the sight of the shelter provided a morale boost, signaling the summit’s proximity. Inside, the shelter featured two bunk beds, essential tools, and a unique window crafted from hiking stickers resembling stained glass art.
The final stretch to the summit involved a rock scramble, culminating in reaching a wooden sign marking the peak. Despite anticipation, the search for another iconic wooden sign, as seen in photographs, proved elusive—it either vanished or was taken.
Throughout the hike, the trail offered intriguing sights, including natural formations that seemingly had faces, captured in the photos below.
Understanding Altitude Sickness: My Experience on the San Jacinto Hike
Altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), can affect anyone who ascends to high elevations too quickly. As an avid hiker and backpacker, I encountered this condition during my recent hike to San Jacinto. While I had hiked at similar elevations before without any issues, this time was different—likely due to a combination of altitude sickness and heat exhaustion that caught me off guard.
Even though I started the hike earlier than usual to avoid the heat, I didn’t follow my typical pre-hike meal routine. Instead of my usual steak, mashed potatoes, and salad for dinner, followed by avocado toast for breakfast, I had a backpacking meal for dinner and oatmeal in the morning. While these meals provided fuel, I believe the change from my usual diet may have affected my energy levels and how my body coped with the altitude.
The hike took me from 6,330 to 10,834 feet, and everything felt fine at first. However, around 9,000 feet, I started developing a mild headache. Given my history of frequent headaches and migraines, I initially shrugged it off. I stayed well-hydrated and snacked during breaks, but as I continued ascending, my symptoms worsened, signaling a combination of altitude sickness and possibly early signs of heat exhaustion.
My Symptoms
- Headache: It started mildly but gradually intensified, becoming severe during breaks.
- Vision Issues: My peripheral vision narrowed, causing a “tunnel vision” effect.
- Physical Slowdown: My body felt like it was moving in slow motion.
- Loss of Appetite: Amongst many other snacks, I had banana slices, which I knew would help, but I couldn’t eat them
Reflecting on the Causes
Altitude sickness occurs due to reduced oxygen levels at higher elevations, but my symptoms were likely worsened by heat exhaustion and the change in my typical meal routine. The combination of physical exertion, less familiar fuel, and altitude might have contributed to the fatigue and dehydration I experienced, intensifying the effects of altitude sickness.
Understanding Altitude Sickness and Heat Exhaustion
Altitude sickness usually develops within 6 to 24 hours of reaching a high altitude and can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) can develop, which require immediate medical attention.
Heat exhaustion, on the other hand, occurs when the body overheats, especially during physical activity in warm conditions. Symptoms like headache, dizziness, weakness, and nausea overlap with those of altitude sickness, making it difficult to distinguish between the two. Looking back, I realize that both altitude and heat played a role in how I felt during the hike.
Coping and Recovery
Despite these challenges, I was determined to continue with the support of my friends. This experience taught me the importance of recognizing and respecting the signs of altitude sickness. I’m incredibly grateful for my friends’ patience and support during this ordeal. Moving forward, here are some of the items I bought to test on my next high-altitude hike in a couple of weeks before I resort to prescribed meds:
Prevention of Altitude Sickness
Preventing altitude sickness involves gradual acclimatization, proper preparation, and awareness of your body’s limits. Key strategies include:
- Gradual Ascent: Ascend slowly to allow your body time to adjust.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine.
- Eat Well: Maintain a balanced diet with sufficient carbohydrates.
- Avoid Overexertion: Take it easy during the first few days at high altitude.
- Medication: Consider taking acetazolamide (Diamox) before and during your ascent.
- Recognize Symptoms: Be aware of the symptoms and descend if necessary.
Nutritious snacks to consider
When preparing to combat Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) during a hike, it’s crucial to pack foods that are both nutritious and easy to carry. Firstly, opt for potassium-rich foods like bananas, including dried bananas, as they help regulate fluid balance and reduce the risk of dehydration at higher altitudes. Additionally, dried fruits such as dates are lightweight and provide quick energy. Nuts and granola offer sustained energy through healthy fats and carbohydrates. For a treat that also benefits your health, dark chocolate provides antioxidants that support overall well-being. These packable options ensure you’re adequately fueled and hydrated, helping to mitigate the effects of AMS during your hike.
Relive my hike to San Jacinto Peak
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Final thoughts on hiking San Jacinto via Marion Mountain Trail
Post originally published on July 15, 2024, and last updated on November 13, 2024.
