Marion Mtn. Trail vs. Humber Park to San Jacinto

[Graytop]

Hi all,
Long time lurker, but finally decided to hike San Jacinto this summer, so here's my question:

If you had to choose between the Marion Mountain Trail or the Humber Park trail to the top of San Jacinto, which one would you prefer? I have Robinson's book, and the Marion Mountain Trail appears more difficult due to the elevation gain. However, that is not a deterent as I am just looking for the one which is more scenic.

I am 53 and think I am in okay shape. I go up Baldy via the Baldy Village Trail in 3:40 and up Gorgonio via Vivian Creek in 4:40, so I think I should be okay trying Marion if that is the most scenic. I had wanted to go up Fuller Ridge, but thankfully there have been recent posts about how bad Black Mountain Road is. Robinson's book does not give any information about that road being in such awful shape, so I was all set to drive up in my Matrix - thanks for the heads up!

Any advice will be appreciated. I am coming from the west (Long Beach). If there a trail other than Marion and Humber that you would recommend, I would also appreciate that. Thank you - Brian

[Hikin_Jim]

They're both good. Marion Mountain is steeper but more direct. The water is very reliable at Bed Springs Crossing. There may be no water going the Devils Slide Trail from Humber Park (although there will probably be water at Wellman Cienega if you go off trail a bit).

Crowds are worse on the east side if you go up Devils Slide to the peak by way of Wellman Divide.

HJ

[climbant]

Devils slide also has a quota during the weekends, Marion is wide open permit wise. Devils slide route gives wonderful views towards tahquitz and suicide rock if you take the pct toward where the Marion meets it. Both are great hikes though as Jim points out. Enjoy!

[cynthia23]

Marion Mt. has a lot fewer people but as mentioned above is steeper. It also has a lot of gnats at the beginning . Still, I'd rather deal with hordes of them as opposed to hordes of people.

[Graytop]

I despise gnats and hate having to wear a head net. I can avoid most crowds by going midweek, but not the gnats since they don't care what day it is. Looks like I will be going the Humber Park route for my first time. Thank you for your help! Brian

[cynthia23]

Well, to be fair (to the MM trail) it may have been a temporary phenomena (I experienced it a couple of times one wetter year), or it may have been me they liked. It would be helpful to know if others have ever noticed a lot of gnats on this trail.

[Norris]

Gnats? I've done Marion Mtn trail many, many times over the years (first time in 1983) including several times this season and never ever been bothered by gnats. I would suggest to the OP to try Marion Mtn trail. It is far less crowded, no permit issues.

[cynthia23]

I guess this means it WAS me .

[Ulysses]

Devils Slide and the Wellmans Trail is a beautiful hike with grand vistas. Great choice if you can go during the week. But the issue with the Forest Service permits and Wilderness Patrol on the weekends has become a turn-off for me. Marion Mountain is a great trail. Under-rated IMO. The more times I hike it, the more I grow to love it. There is more water on that side of the mountain, and far fewer people, and I don't think the Wilderness Patrol even know it exists. But don't dismiss Fuller Ridge or 7 Pines. 7 Pines is a great trail and the road is not a problem. The last half mile or so is dirt, but it's easily passable in a passenger vehicle. I haven't been up Black Mountain Rd. to Fuller Ridge TH yet this summer, but it's usually in decent shape by this time of year. It's just a long ways out there.

[Hikin_Jim]

In the times I've been up the Marion Mtn Trail, I've not had a problem with gnats. Most of the gnat problems I've had have been in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, particularly on trail heads near Mill Creek.

All of the trails on the west side are great in my opinion (Deer Springs, Marion Mountain, Seven Pines, etc.), but Seven Pines is weird. Whereas the Marion Mountain Trail is particularly direct (and therefore steep), the Seven Pines Trail meanders all over the place. The Seven Pines Trail typically has better water though. See my water report.

The road to Fuller Ridge is in good shape at last report.

HJ