What is your favorite route to the summit?

[stobbart]

I have only done the trailhead from the tram and as some of you have read will be going again at the end of Jan. Doing more research I have found many other trails.

I am an avid hiker and have climbed many peaks including Whitney and summer of 09 I will be hiking Kilmanjaro in Africa so technical or strenuous hikes I welcome.

The cactus to clouds hike is one that I really want to do but will prolly wait for summer, and the Snow Creek looks absolutly amazing but since this will be my first real snow hike, again, I will wait and do that one next winter.

But these other hikes from The Devil's Slide, Marion Mountain, Deer Springs, Fuller Ridge and Seven Pines can anyone give me a brief description of these and about how many miles and the route they prefer?

Thanks for the info

[asabat]

The various trails from the Idyllwild area all have great appeal (although Marion Mtn Trail is one steep piece of work). I especially enjoy these when the tram is shut down for maintenance - less people coming up that way then! Winter via Devils Slide is beautiful, but be skilled with map and compass as it's easy to lose the trail near Wellman Junction.

[halhiker]

Snow Creek.

[Hikin_Jim]

Snow Creek.

Well, yes, but be aware that the route is illegal (trespassing) and that it's not hiking; it's hardcore winter mountaineering. You might already know this, but just want to be sure.

[phydeux]

But these other hikes from The Devil's Slide, Marion Mountain, Deer Springs, Fuller Ridge and Seven Pines can anyone give me a brief description of these and about how many miles and the route they prefer?

Thanks for the info

Everyone has their own favorite trail, so I suggest you purchase a copy of John Robinson's "San Bernardino Mountain Trails". It covers all the trails in the San Jacinto Mtns you mention, so you can go exploring and see which ones you like, and those you despise. It also includes the trails in the San Bernardino Mtns, giving you even more hiking possibilities! What better gift to give yourself this time of year than years of exploration in the local mountains.

[some guy]

The trail from the tram is definitely my choice for best, just because it has the best payoff for minimal effort. But since I live on the other side of the mountain, it’s not very convenient to drive to PS.

Marion Mtn trail is probably the easiest way up from this side, but it’s not much for views. Seven Pines is a bit longer, but from an aesthetic standpoint I prefer it to Marion as it crosses a couple of nice drainages. Deer Springs trail makes me cry with boredom, and it can be overly crowded with day hikers going up to suicide. Devil’s Slide is too popular and I usually avoid it for that reason. But if you can stand lots of people, it’s probably the most scenic and can be worth it for the views. Couldn’t tell you precise mileages, but I think they’re somewhere in the 12-18 miles range (round trip).

Anyway, for whatever reasons, my preference goes like this:

Marion Mtn > Seven Pines > Devil’s Slide > Deer Springs

I’ve never tried Fuller Ridge because Black Mtn Rd would destroy my car.

[edit] by the way, if you were considering doing these trails any time soon, I'm pretty sure that Deer Springs and Devil's Slide are the only options, due to seasonal road closures.

[halhiker]

Snow Creek.

Well, yes, but be aware that the route is illegal (trespassing) and that it's not hiking; it's hardcore winter mountaineering. You might already know this, but just want to be sure.

I was merely answering the main question: "What's your favorite route to the summit?".

As far as trails goes, I like them all and have no particular favorite. I think Fuller Ridge offers the best views, I like the Marion Mountain workout, Deer Springs is long and I enjoy the Sid Davis Canyon route from the Tram because it gives me a chance to go cross country a little bit. I also did a hike a few years ago that I really liked. I went from the Tram down the Saddle Junction, then back up to Wellman Divide, to the Peak and back to the Tram. That was fun.

[Perry]

Climbing Snow Creek in winter is a really bad idea. I'm not trying to be argumentative with anybody in particular, it's just that a lot of people mention it as a winter climb on the message boards, which creates misinformation for new climbers. The only reason there's a large quantity of snow at 5,500 feet is because of avalanches which usually happen in winter. If we get several big storms this winter, the upper end of the slot canyon just below the chockstone will get filled with avalanche debris.

Snow Creek in spring is my favorite. It's not for everybody though. You need strong calves, quads, shoulders, and triceps to do the final 5,000 feet which is way steeper than any trail. If the slot canyon is not filled with snow, then there is a class 3 route out of the canyon but you have to do some research to know where it is. Everything else is class 4 or class 5 rock climbing.

[halhiker]

Climbing Snow Creek in winter is a really bad idea. I'm not trying to be argumentative with anybody in particular, it's just that a lot of people mention it as a winter climb on the message boards, which creates misinformation for new climbers. The only reason there's a large quantity of snow at 5,500 feet is because of avalanches which usually happen in winter. If we get several big storms this winter, the upper end of the slot canyon just below the chockstone will get filled with avalanche debris.

Snow Creek in spring is my favorite. It's not for everybody though. You need strong calves, quads, shoulders, and triceps to do the final 5,000 feet which is way steeper than any trail. If the slot canyon is not filled with snow, then there is a class 3 route out of the canyon but you have to do some research to know where it is. Everything else is class 4 or class 5 rock climbing.

I agree winter is not the time to go. April is primetime if the chockstone is covered.

[desertskyclimber]

Snow Creek.

Well, yes, but be aware that the route is illegal (trespassing) and that it's not hiking; it's hardcore winter mountaineering. You might already know this, but just want to be sure.

illegal, trespassing....and do you know who 'owns' this land, if such a thing were possible???we the citizens of this nation and yes it is hiking, up until the falls, or snow line there abouts. ever considered that winter routes are so too feasable other times of the year, and that it's not quite hardcore, more of an enjoyable outing. this coming from one who wanders with the bighorn. probably better that you stay on the trails.