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** Use at Your Own Risk **
27I |
Marion Mountain |
10,320'+
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Location: Riverside County, about 8 miles west of Palm Springs, 112 miles from Los Angeles
Maps
| Auto Club | Riverside County |
| Forest Service | San Bernardino National Forest |
| USGS Topo | San Jacinto Peak 7½ |
| Official HPS Maps | TPO file - Save to your computer then open with National Geographic TOPO! |
| Viewable PDF file - Approximately 6 megs | |
| GPX file or Google Earth KML file to download to GPS units and other map software (How to use GPX and KML files) | |
| Routes as shown on CalTopo using the above files (How to use CalTopo) |
Nearby Peaks: Folly Peak, Cornell Peak, Jean Peak, San Jacinto Peak
ROUTE 1
- Distance: 9 miles round trip on trail and cross-country
- Gain: 2000'
- Time: 6-7 hours round trip
- Rating: Class 3, moderate
Original: Charlie Knapke, July 1993
DRIVING ROUTE 1
- Take I-10 east past Banning to the junction with SR 111.
- Take SR 111 southeast 8.5 miles to the Palm Springs Tramway Road. Turn right.
- Go up this road 3.7 miles to its end at the tramway terminal. Park where indicated by the signs in this area.
HIKING ROUTE 1
- Take the tram (fee required) to the upper station at 8560'.
- Go downstairs and exit the building. Follow the concrete sidewalk as it descends to the valley below.
- Continue straight ahead to a ranger station.
- Continue about 1/4 mile to a trail junction with a sign "Round Valley - 2".
- Keep right and continue to Round Valley Campground.
- Keep left here at a junction and continue up to Wellman Divide (9700').
- Keep left at this junction and follow the trail southwest (downhill) through some switchbacks about 1/2 mile to Wellman Cienega.
- Leave the trail on the right and hike cross-country up to the saddle northeast of Marion Mountain.
- Turn left (south) and go up to the summit block. This is on the west end of the ridge.
- To climb the summit block, start at an upright dead tree on the northeast side. Go up a crack for about 10'. Turn right for another 10'. Turn left into another crack that leads to the summit.
ROUTE 2
(USFS Adventure Pass may be required)- Distance: 16 miles round trip on trail
- Gain: 4100'
- Time: 9-10 hours round trip
- Rating: Class 3, strenuous
DRIVING ROUTE 2
- From the Chevron Station in Idyllwild, go northeast on North Circle Drive for 0.8 mile to South Circle Drive. Turn right.
- Go 0.1 mile to Fern Valley Road. Turn left.
- Go 1.8 miles to the loop at the end of the road in Humber Park. Park here.
HIKING ROUTE 2
- From Humber Park (6480'), hike up the Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction at 8080'. This is a multiple trail junction.
- Take the far left trail and continue up to Wellman Cienega.
- Leave the trail on the left and hike cross-country up to the saddle northeast of Marion Mountain.
- Turn left (south) and go up to the summit block. This is on the west end of the ridge.
- To climb the summit block, start at an upright dead tree on the northeast side. Go up a crack for about 10'. Turn right for another 10'. Turn left into another crack that leads to the summit.
ROUTE 3
From Jean Peak- Distance: 1.5 miles one way cross-country
- Gain: 300'
- Time: 1 hour one way
- Rating: Class 3, strenuous with Jean Peak
DRIVING ROUTE 3
- See the driving instructions for Routes 1 or 2 depending on your trailhead selection.
HIKING ROUTE 3
- See the hiking instructions for Jean Peak.
- From the summit of Jean Peak, hike south along the ridge passing a bump on its right side until you come to the saddle just north of Marion Mountain.
- Go south up to the ridge.
- Turn right and follow the ridge to its western end.
- To climb the summit block, start at an upright dead tree on the northeast side. Go up a crack for about 10'. Turn right for another 10'. Turn left into another crack that leads to the summit.
NOTE
Temperatures are 30-40° cooler on the peak than on the valley floor. Please dress accordingly.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Wilderness permits are required under all circumstances. Permits for day hikes can be obtained from the Long Valley ranger station (near the tram) for Route 1. For Route 2, they may be obtained at Idyllwild Ranger Station, as can permits for backpacking. Permits are limited to 12 hikers. The Idyllwild Ranger Station is just off SR 243 at 54270 Pine Crest Road. There is a self-issue permit stand outside of the ranger station. Permits may be obtained in advance from:
San Jacinto Ranger District
54270 Pinecrest
P.O. Box 518
Idyllwild, CA 92549
Voice: (909) 382-2921
Fax: (951) 659-2107
HISTORICAL NOTE
The area was designated a State Park in 1937.
History of Summit Signature
Climbing Archives
Please report any corrections or changes to the Mountain Records Chair.