I am seeking Marion Mountian Trail information/Hiker Wisdom.

[snakeback]

Howdy.

I was going to do either a day hike, or an overnighter after thanksgiving, and was wondering if anyone can tell me about Marion Mountain trail? I have only taken the tram up and hiked to the peak and back a few times, but thats about it. I want to avoid all the lines and crowded trail this time if I have the option, but do not know much about the other routes in.

First off: How do you get to that particular Trailhead? Can you just drive and park? Is there parking for hikers? or only for campers?
2. Is the Trail really only one way about 4.5 miles from MM to Little Round valley like the map says? I see its a pretty steep elevation gain so it looks straight up hill. Just looking at a 9 mile round trip?
3. Is there water available in LRV? Or should I hike all of it in?
4. Do I need camping permits to sleep overnight in LRV? Or can i just quitely pitch a little hooch? if I need a permit, which ranger station should I go to?
Lastly: Any advice about this trek? anyone think there will be ice up there next week?

I always appreciate your input, thanks.

[Tim Le]

1. Exit Hwy 243 at Forest Road 4S02, which is just south of the FS Alandale Fire Station. Shortly after turning onto this road, you will make a left turn (follow the signs that point to either Fern Basin or Marion Mtn Campgrounds). Continue down this paved road. It will seem like it takes a long time, but that's normal. Take the corners slowly because it's really just a one lane road and there might be an oncoming car. The trailhead is a little hard to spot, but it's just before the gate to the Marion Mtn Campground. Parking is available off the pavement. If you mistakenly drive into the campground, just drive back out. There is no day hiker parking in the campground itself (that I know of).
2. That mileage to LRV sounds about right. I believe the one-way mileage to the summit is about 6 miles. It is a steep route, but there is a lot more solitude on this side of the mountain.
3. Not sure about current water availability at LRV.
4. You need a permit. For permits go to the FS ranger station in Idyllwild (corner of Hwy 243 and Pinecrest). You can also mail them a request ahead of time with a SASE and they'll mail you back your permit.
5. It's a great trail--highly recommended. You pass through a lot of different types of scenery. Going back down is kinda exhausting because it's so steep. Hard to say about the ice until someone else posts a trail report, but this trail isn't reported on very often.

[Florian]

Besides what Tim said i'm thinking you might need an Adventure Pass for trailhead parking? The last time i hiked the trail i camped overnight in the Fern Basin campground so i just left my truck there.

-Florian

[Sally]

There was water in LRV 2 weeks ago.

[Norris]

You do need an Adventure pass for your vehicle. I have seen cars ticketed for not having them at this trailhead.

[Norris]

The street name of the turnoff for 4S02 is Azalea trails.
Here is a link to Google street view:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=33.782927,-116.750746&spn=0,0.001458&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=33.782927,-116.750746&panoid=ig20-daQtQMJW5cV2aeZeQ&cbp=12,339.05,,0,5

[snakeback]

Thanks for the speedy responses everyone, I really appreciate it.

So it sounds like I need to hit the Ranger station and get an overnight permit for sleeping in LRV (this is what ideally I feel like trying to do) Then hike back down the next morning after a good nights sleep.

Concerning the MM Campgrounds: Can I just got an overnight permit for a space at that camp ground AND one for LRV and park my truck in the space I pay for? or is this camp grounds not allocated/managed like most of the other parks?

[jasinner]

There will be ice, yes. There was already ice a couple weeks ago before the rain/snow we just got. A couple random spots of ice and one stretch approx 20' long where water had run down the trail was completely iced over.

[snakeback]

Roger that. Do you think it would be smart to bring Crampons to be safe? I dont know that trail. We got a lot of rain down here all week, not sure how much of that didnt get broken up by the moutains and dumped up on SJ.

[Norris]

Kahtoola microspikes or similar would make a lot more sense than full-on crampons in my opinion. Crampons would tend to get wrecked by the rock and dirt between short icy sections and/or you would be constantly putting them on and taking them off again. Plus its much easier and more comfortable to walk with them than with crampons.

You could maybe get them in time overnight from Amazon.
I don't know of a local retailer, but there might be one.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=microspikes