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10,834 ft · San Jacinto Mountains, California
San Jacinto Peak
San Jacinto Peak is a 10,834 ft peak in the San Jacinto Mountains, California. The standard route is the Marion Mountain Trail: 12 mi, 4,600 ft of gain, Class 1.
San Jacinto Peak at a glance
- Elevation10,834 ft3,302 m
- RouteMarion Mountain TrailClass 1
- Distance12 mi4,600 ft gain
- Time8 – 10 hrsHard effort
- SeasonJun – Oct
- RangeSan Jacinto MountainsCalifornia
Climbing the Marion Mountain Trail
From Idyllwild, California, take the Marion Mountain Trail for the steepest and most direct hiking route up San Jacinto Peak; a wilderness permit is required to climb. This Class 1 trail climbs hard through forest to the boulder-capped summit, with huge views over the desert. As an alternative, many ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tram and hike from there. Expect loose rock, snow and ice into early summer, and cold, windy summit conditions with quick storms. Start early, carry layers and plenty of water, and watch the weather. The big elevation gain makes this a demanding day despite the well-built trail.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (25–35 L)
Hiking Boots
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Sun Hat
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Trekking Poles
Headlamp
GPS Device
Satellite Communicator
Power Bank
Offline Maps
Water
First-Aid Kit
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
What to watch for
- High altitude
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- Loose rock
- Storms
- High winds
- Cold summit conditions
- Rapid weather shifts
- Steep exposure
- Low visibility
San Jacinto Peak on Yak
Climbers have shared 9 climbs of San Jacinto Peak on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app
Quests with San Jacinto Peak
Lower 48 UltrasPeaks near San Jacinto Peak
Frequently asked questions
How tall is San Jacinto Peak?
San Jacinto Peak is 10,834 feet (3,302 m) tall. It is in the San Jacinto Mountains, California.
How hard is it to hike San Jacinto Peak?
The Marion Mountain Trail is Class 1, which means hiking on a trail. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 12 miles with 4,600 feet of elevation gain.
How long does it take to hike San Jacinto Peak?
Most people take 8 – 10 hours round trip on the Marion Mountain Trail, covering 12 miles with 4,600 feet of elevation gain. That is a long day, so start before dawn and set a turnaround time.
Can a beginner hike San Jacinto Peak?
The Marion Mountain Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 12 miles with 4,600 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.
What time should you start hiking San Jacinto Peak?
Early. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so aim to be off the summit and the exposed upper mountain by early afternoon. At 8 – 10 hours round trip, many parties start in the dark.
When is the best time to hike San Jacinto Peak?
The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
What is the trailhead elevation for San Jacinto Peak?
The Marion Mountain Trail starts at about 6,320 feet, roughly 4,514 feet below the summit.
Climb San Jacinto Peak with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list