Water sources on Marion Mountain trail

[Ulu]

I'm thinking of doing Marion Mountain trail to the summit this weekend, and I was wondering where the water sources are. It sounds like it gets dicier as the summer gets later.

[Norris]

Hi, I just did Marion Mountain on Sunday, there is ample water at the Deer Springs camp area where the trail crosses the stream which originates at the location labelled "Deer springs" on the topo, and which becomes the north fork of the San Jacinto "river" lower down. This is a perfect location for water because you can carry way less than 3 liters on the way up, refill here, then refill again on the way back from the summit. There is usually water at another location a little farther on, just below Little Round Valley, but I don't know the status of that since I left the trail at the first major water described above, and went straight up to Marion Mtn, then back the same way. That's a nice little cross-country option by the way. Or, you can stay on the trail to the summit of San J, then go cross country to Jean, then Marion, then drop down to the source of Deer Springs and down the drainage to the trail.

[Hikin_Jim]

Hi, Norris,

Interesting XC route. How was the brush? How difficult was the terrain? Was it class 1? 2? I know the summit block of Marion is class 3; were there any class three sections en route to the summit block?

HJ

[vbmatloff]

I was on that trail Sunday also, and there is water a little off the trail below Little Round Valley, and at a couple of small stream crossings. I went up to SJ Pk first, then over to Drury, then back down to the trail.. See my photos http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welc ... m7FuzZs2EK I wanted to go to Marion also but I wasn't alone and the others didn't want to go.

[guest]

Great photos vbmatloff, love the flowers, nature sure is amazing, every one a wild creation!
It's so nice to be able to experience another spring this late in the year just by heading up in the mtns!

ss

[Norris]

Hi, Norris,

Interesting XC route. How was the brush? How difficult was the terrain? Was it class 1? 2? I know the summit block of Marion is class 3; were there any class three sections en route to the summit block?

HJ

Hi HJ, from the trail at the stream crossing the brush looks bad, but surprisingly once you start up the (climber's) left side of the stream there is no bushwhacking at all, just some tall grass, ferns, and similar soft green plants to pick your way through. Shortly after starting up there is an obvious place to cross the creek at a narrow area, and after this you stay on the climber's right of the creek. Main issue is not stepping into a puddle or boggy area. After a little bit of this, it opens up into a dry creek bed of boulders and pine needles. You just thread your way amongst the boulders, no real climbing, hardly need to use your hands even. The brush is all off to either side of the dry creek bed. When it starts to level off, you hear water and there is a nice fresh spring running. If your objective is Marion, avoid the temptation to go straight up to your right, that will put you on a knob that is not Marion (as I discovered ) Better to head for the saddle between Jean and Marion and then turn right. You do have to bear right a bit above the spring to get around some short cliffs / steep rocks in the drainage proper. I think next time I will do San J, Jean, and over to Marion, then go down this way. Re the Marion summit, if you approach it from the Jean peak side, the way up is obvious, the only thing that will give any pause is a very short slightly overhanging chimney that you have to climb to access the very top of Marion. It is easy, but most folks would want someone to spot them, particularly when downclimbing it. Because the walls of the chimney overhang a bit, you can't easily see the footholds from above, so it can be a little scary to reverse.

[MWD]

Water was plentiful just below Little Round Valley two weekends ago. That's where we re-stocked on the way up and down. There were a few other place below that spot where we could have filled up. I don't recall there being many places above Little Round Valley to fill up.

[Hikin_Jim]

Norris,

thanks for your 411. I might have to try that one. I'm familiar with the summit block of Marion and consider it fun, and I agree with your assessment of it's access. I've seen people do it from the south too, although I'm not familiar with that route.

Regards,

HJ

[Ulu]

Water was plentiful just below Little Round Valley two weekends ago. That's where we re-stocked on the way up and down. There were a few other place below that spot where we could have filled up. I don't recall there being many places above Little Round Valley to fill up.

Great. I take it you are referring to North Fork SJ river where it crosses into Little Round Valley. I'm going to do this trail this weekend. Thanks for all the info.

[RichMcG]

Marion Mountain trail hits the PCT for a bit before continuing up on Deer Springs trail and you'll find a nice stream for pumping there. Make sure you take the right fork up to deer springs trail, there is a small sign marhed fuller to the left and you can miss it if you're not paying attention.