Mt San Jacinto via Marion Mtn/Humber Park/Level 3+

THIS IS NOT INTRODUCTION TO HIKING (not for Beginners or Occasional Hikers).

The hike is one of challenging hikes up progressively higher mountains in Southern California. It is a strenuous hike, intended and fit for regular intermediate-plus/advanced hikers due to the pace, distance and elevation gain.
Know your limitations. There will be no SWEEP, so if you're a slow-paced hiker, you're on your own.
PREPARE HIKING ALONE IN CASE YOU CAN'T GO THE GROUP PACE OR RETURN THE SAME WAY YOU HIKE UP!
Hikers will join the organizer for a workout; there is no leader or sweeper on this hike.

Adventure Pass: Required! We will get passes as a group at the Ranger Station.
We will meet at: 6:45 at: Idyllwild Ranger Station: 54270 Pine Crest Idyllwild, CA 92549
7:00 AM at Humber Park trailhead (drop off some cars)
7:30 AM at Marion Mtn trailhead and start hiking.

Google: Marion Mountain Trailhead
Trailhead is close to Marion Mountain Campground.

DIRECTIONS
The Marion Mountain trailhead 7:30 AM can be reached off of CA 243 a few miles north of Idyllwild. There are signs indicating where to turn for the Fern Basin and Marion Mountain campgrounds. Follow them. The trailhead begins on road 4S71 between the campgrounds. You can also click here for the trailhead on Google Maps.

Highlights:
Awe-inspiring views, strenuous uphill climb, variety of pine trees, creeks
Near: Idyllwild, CA
Distance: 14+ miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 4800+- ft
Duration: 6-7 hours Hiking
General Rating/Difficulty: Level 3 Fast Pace for distance, elevation, and pace. Click RATING TABLE (https://tinyurl.com/HikeRating) to learn more about hike levels

Trail Condition: OK, but a few difficult spots

GOOD TO KNOW : Wear hiking shoes, hat, sunscreen, bring plenty of water, snacks, a light lunch and The Ten Essentials

Route : Park at the locked gate and follow the road to the trail, or continue on the road to the campground where you can also begin the trail. Follow this trail to the PCT, turn left, and follow the PCT until it intersects with the Fuller Ridge Trail, stay right and ascend the Deer Springs Trail past Little Round Valley to the intersection of the Peak Trail. Climber up the rocks to the summit (this is the up route via Marion Mountain, shortest and steepest to get to the peak: almost 6 miles in almost 4800ft gain). We then descent down via Devil's Slide to Humber Park trailhead.

ABOUT THE HIKE : At 10,834' Mt. San Jacinto is the second-tallest peak in southern California. Many people have seen it. Fewer still have hiked it. And many of those take the "easy" way up via the Palm Springs Tram.
We're going to be hiking up the steep Marion Mountain trail -- and down a bit longer and less steep via scenic Devil's Slide trail to Humber Park. Naturalist John Muir wrote of San Jacinto Peak, "The view from San Jacinto is the most sublime spectacle to be found anywhere on this earth!" Now you can stand where Muir once stood, and soak in that view.

REMINDER : By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings

> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY
> Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, snake bites, mountain lions or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***