Seven Pines or Marion Mtn Trail?

[j-runner]

I'm planning a hike from Dark Canyon campground in mid August. We're a group of 6. We're spending the night at Little Round Valley so we've got the day to get up & a the 2nd day to return. This will be a fist overnight hike for half the group & I don't want to turn them off. Which trail do you recommend for such a trip? Is it possible to drive to the base of Seven Pines trail?

[Hikin_Jim]

I recommend taking the tram. Seriously, the western approaches can be pretty steep, particularly the Marion Mtn. Trail. If they've never done a backpack before, carrying a backpack to 10,000' (the approx elevation of Little Round Valley) up a steep trail might really turn them off. Going up the tram starts you in the 8000' range. The trail has plenty of challenge for a newbie backpacker but is a lot less climbing. The trail down to Little Round Valley once you pass over the saddle is a bit steep perhaps for a new comer, but if you take it slow, I think you'd be fine.

Now, if everyone is marathon runner or other uber-athlete, maybe the western approach would be fine.

Another option, particularly if the people aren't in good shape is to camp at Round Valley (as opposed to Little Round Valley) or at Tamarack. Nice, short, easy backpack, and you can do the summit with just a light pack from either Round Valley or Tamarack.

[some guy]

The road to the Seven Pines trailhead is in perfect shape. I like to dayhike to the peak from the Marion Mtn trail, but if you have extra time then Seven Pines makes sense. I've seen families with young kids going up these trails with all of their camping gear, so I doubt it's unreasonable for you guys to go up this way too. Seven pines has more water sources, if that's an issue.

[Ken7]

I concur with Jim.

I am assuming that you may be camping at Dark Canyon Campground before the backpacking trip and that you would like to hike from there if possible, rather than driving to Humber Park to hike up from there.

The grade of the Marion Mountain Trail is nearly 17% and constant. The grade of the Seven Pines Trail varies in steepness, but averages 12%. The grade of the Devil's Slide Trail is fairly constant and also averages about 12%.

Round Valley is a great place to camp and a great place for a person's first backpacking trip. In addition, camping in the federal wilderness near Candi's, Willow or Tahquitz creeks is good for a first trip. These areas are a thousand or more feet lower in elevation than Round Valley and a couple of thousand feet lower than Little Round Valley, which also makes them attractive for a first backpacking trip. The lower altitude increases the chance of sleeping well.

Still, echoing Jim, if everyone is in top physical condition, is already acclimated to high elevation by living at a high elevation or hiking there a few times a week, and does not mind carrying a lot of water, then Marion Mountain and Seven Pines trails are beautiful and offer an invigorating climb and Little Round Valley would be a great place to camp.

[Ken7]

I concur with Jim.

I am assuming that you may be camping at Dark Canyon Campground before the backpacking trip and that you would like to hike from there if possible, rather than driving to Humber Park to hike up from there.

The grade of the Marion Mountain Trail is nearly 17% and constant. The grade of the Seven Pines Trail varies in steepness, but averages 12%. The grade of the Devil's Slide Trail is fairly constant and also averages about 12%.

Round Valley is a great place to camp and a great place for a person's first backpacking trip. In addition, camping in the federal wilderness near Candi's, Willow or Tahquitz creeks is good for a first trip. These areas are a thousand or more feet lower in elevation than Round Valley and a couple of thousand feet lower than Little Round Valley, which also makes them attractive for a first backpacking trip. The lower altitude increases the chance of sleeping well.

Still, echoing Jim, if everyone is in top physical condition, is already acclimated to high elevation by living at a high elevation or hiking there a few times a week, and does not mind carrying a lot of water, then Marion Mountain and Seven Pines trails are beautiful and offer an invigorating climb and Little Round Valley would be a great place to camp.

[alleyehave]

If the tram is still unappealing..Fuller Ridge would be probably be one of, if not the most "gentle" trail on the West side.