Not the Tram, but other suggested peak trails for 1st timers

[DogWalker]

My buddies and I are experienced hikers. We've done many of the SG trails and peaks including Baldy by all routes except the ski lift. A month ago we did the Three Ts.

But from what I'm reading about the western trails up SJ (which we have never done), I'm a little concerned about the routing. We're planning on hiking Sat, 8/16. We were going to do Marion or Seven Pines, but should we? Other than the tram are there other, less killer trails? And what are the trail conditions like?

DogWalker (who doesn't hike with dogs in summer or wilderness)

[halhiker]

I like the Marion Mountain Trail. It's pretty, it's direct and it's pretty easy to follow. It is STEEP but I like that. And if there are any route finding issues I'm sure there are plenty of ducks to mark your way.

I also like the Fuller Ridge Trail. It is the gentlest of the trails and hugs a ridge on the north side which gives nice views overlooking the pass area on the north side of the mountain.

Why not hike with dogs in wilderness? In some wilderness areas dogs are welcome. I used to have a great dog that I hiked with and she did Tahquitz Peak, San Gorgonio, Martinez Mountain and a host of other peaks with me.

Not casting any judgements, just curious.

[zippetydude]

Hi DogWalker. Welcome.

As much as I hate to agree with halhiker Marion really isn't a bad trail. While it is steep, it's only 6 miles, and if you pay attention to the signs at the trail junctions, you'll be fine. It's also easily accessible from a good paved road.

The views from Fuller Ridge are excellent, but the dirt road winding back to it takes 20 to 30 minutes, and I'd rather spend the time on a trail than in the car, so I've only done it a couple of times. For the same reason (drive time) I have generally done Skyline or occasionally taken the tram when I come up from the other side, so I can't help you with other approaches.

In any case, don't let our postings make the trail sound obscure or difficult. We were just talking about a couple hundred yards at the top that sometimes confuse new hikers. If you come up Marion, when you head back down (going south) from the peak, you're actually going perpendicular to the trail, so it would actually be hard to miss. Once you bump into it, simply head west. Since you're experienced, you can probably find west, even without a map and a compass.

(One of my teenage daughter's friends asked me where the north star was. I pointed it out to her, then she asked, "So where is the west star?" Hmmm. Unless you're checking star charts to find the west star, you'll be fine.)

z

[DogWalker]

Thanks for the info, guys. I'll see what my hiking buddies want to do.

The Marion trail sounds like the most scenic and now that I know Fuller is 20-30 mins of dirt road driving, I'm not as hot on that as I was before reading your post, Z. I just kinda didn't want to do one of those relentlessly up hikes when the temps are going to be pushing 90. If you've ever done the old Mt. Wilson trail from Sierra Madre, you know what I mean. Once past First Water it's just up and up and up and a good chunk of it in the sun on the south side.

I don't hike with the dogs in the summer because of rattlesnakes. And most wilderness areas that I'm familiar with are off limits to dogs.

DogWalker

[halhiker]

You used to be able to take your dog into the San Jacinto and San Gorgonio Wilderness areas but I don't know about now. The Santa Rosa Wilderness was also a great place to go as well. I wish I could've taken my dog into the state park because San Jacinto would have been a great hike for my dog.

[zippetydude]

You raise a good point. I normally start just before dawn. You've got to get up just a bit earlier, but it's cool all the way up, and it never feels hot on the way down anyway. If you start later in the day, I recently had another hiker describe his experience as "hellish". Early is good.

z