Trip Report, Marion Mountain Trail 12/4/09

[tkvance]

A buddy and I had the great idea to hike up the Marion Mountain Trail before this big storm front moved in. We couldn't get any good info on how much snow was still on this trail, so we kind of went up blind on Friday evening.

I have gone to the peak many times, but always from Humber Park. We had never been on the Marion Mtn. Trail.

We had to park about 1/4 to 1/2 mile away from the normal Marion Mtn. parking lot and walk up the road to the trailhead. We started hiking at 9:30 pm Friday night, 12/4/09. We had a full moon, and it was an awesome hike.

It started out kind of patchy snow, but easily doable. However, the snow got progressively deeper the further in we went. There were a couple of footprints where someone had blazed the trail, so that helped for the most part. They seemed like they were a day or so old.

There were many places were route-finding was difficult, since it was night, and the snow kept getting deeper.

But we kept going. We finally got to the trail junction where the Seven Pines Trail and I think the PCT connect, and there were no more footprints going up the Marion Mtn. Trail. Bummer! Nothing but 8-14 inches of powder! We blazed up it for another mile or so, getting to the Deer Springs Camp area. It was now 1:45 am.

That was enough for us. We were completely worn out, and we had enough. We made camp, and then decided to come back down Sat. morning. It got down to the mid-20s that night, with little wind.

But dark clouds moved in Sat. morning. On our way out, we passed 2 hiking groups coming in (a total of 5 hikers), who said they were headed for the peak. It was mid-morning at this point, about 10:30 am, and I would be amazed if they were able to make the peak with how much snow there was on the trail.

I would assume that with this storm now here, it would be impossible to go up without snowshoes and/or cross country skis.

Tommy

[tinaballina]

nice tr tommy....glad you had a good time.

probably did my last skyline for the year saturday...
time for the new ventures.