San J via Marion Trail

[lmelendez77]

1st time reader, 1st time caller. Been to San J via C2C several times but taking my first trip up Marion. Seems pretty straightforward, have a map, GPX, etc., but then realized that it snowed this week. Any concerns I should have ? Spikes? Heading up tomorrow so this is last minute question. Hopefully somebody is out there. Thanks.

[guest]

Hi,
I'd imagine you saw this forecast: This is 5 mile NW of Pine Cove, 8600 ft.
Monday
A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 10am. Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph increasing to 30 to 35 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

I don't remember the details & juctions on Marion, (sorry), but it's a harder trail than one would think. It also has some big steps & slippery areas lower down.

I'd bring micro-spikes, (if you have them) & your still prepared to go with the forecast.
I've had a few friends summited Sat & mentioned many areas higher up hard & slippery in spots.

Have fun, be safe,

ss

[lmelendez77]

Thanks "guest" or "ss?". Definitely glad we took the spikes. Awesome trail, plenty of solitude, and an overall good time. For those unfamiliar as I was the answer is "yes," the Marion Trail will have plenty of snow/ice to contend with should such type of weather have been present in the preceding days. I side with caution and wore the spikes a good percentage of the time. My friend, not so much. A broken pinkie finger later, caution wins once again.

[guest]

Hi Imelendez,
Glad you had a good time, congrats on dealing with the conditions.
Sorry about yours friends little finger, spikes can surely help in certain terrain.

If you've yet to hike