San Jacinto Peak

San Jacinto Peak is the highest peak of the San Jacinto Mountains.
San Jacinto Peak is the highest point in Riverside County.
One of the "Three Saints," the highpoints of the three tallest mountain ranges in Southern California: San Jacinto Peak, Mount San Gorgonio (high point of the San Bernardino Mountains), and Mount San Antonio (high point of the San Gabriel Mountains).
One of the most prominent peaks in the US, ranked 6th among peaks in the 48 contiguous states.
To the east, the peak towers over the city of Palm Springs; to the west, it borders the mountain community of Idyllwild.
The steep escarpment of its north face climbs over 10,000 feet in 7 miles, one of the largest gains in elevation over such a small horizontal distance in the contiguous US.
The most popular route starts with a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from Valley Station at 2,643 feet near Palm Springs up to Mountain Station at 8,516 feet.
Another route is hike the Marion Mountain Trail from the nearby mountain town of Idyllwild.
The Cactus to Clouds trail involves an arduous climbs of over 10,000 feet from the Palm Springs Art Museum to the summit.
Mountaineers tackle the mountain's steep north face from the town of Snow Creek. This route is a challenging mountaineering route that gains nearly 10,000 feet in less than 7 miles and involves hiking over rough terrain, climbing or scrambling on steep rock and long, sustained snow climbing with crampons and ice axe.

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Routes

Marion Mountain Trail

30 summits • 11.7 mi • 4,547 ft gain • Class 1

San Jacinto Peak from The Tramway

2 summits • 10.3 mi • 2,432 ft gain • 7 hr 3 min • Class 1

San Jacinto Peak 19.4 mi route

1 summit • 19.4 mi • 10,389 ft gain • 12 hr 39 min

Latest summits

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"Nice day and a good escape from the heat in Palm Springs. The trail was well marked and was easy to follow. I made a small loup by going through Tamarack Valley campground on my way to the peak. There was a lot of trail traffic, but not nearly as busy as Mount Baldy. Great views from the summit and the State Park put in a nice peak marker sign at the top. Obtaining a wilderness permit was no problem. I just filled one out at the Long Valley ranger's station and returned the carbon copy on my way back to the tram. Peak #4 of the SoCal 6-Pack Peak Challenge. July 27, 2019. 10.74 miles; 2,566 feet of elevation gain; 4 hours 15 minutes of moving time and 5 hours overall. " — firesoren90 • Jul 27, 2019

"First Cactus to Clouds with 100 Peaks Section. This monster hike is totally doable with enough water, the right weather, and a very aggressive alpine start. We hit the trail at 2:30pm. The notorious Skyline trail was in far better shape, and offered better views than I imagined. An absolutely worthy hike on its own." — JustinB • May 5, 2018

"I started at the Ramon trailhead at 3:12am. I made it to Flat Rock at 7:24am, Grubb's Notch at 8:46am, Wellman's Divide at 10:40am; the peak at 11:39. On the descent, I made the short detour to Miller Peak, which I'd never climbed before, then made it down to the tram station at about 3pm. " — HikerMark • Nov 4, 2017

"My first summit of this mountain; unfortunately not the best weather. After wellman's divide, I was in the clouds for the rest of the way up. Cold, a bit rainy and barely any view. But hey, I made it!" — marc • Sep 3, 2017

"This was certainly the place to be with the extreme heat southern California was experiencing. Thank goodness we had checked the weather forecast because we had crazy WIND, RAIN, CLOUDS, and it was just down right chilly most of the hike. We LOVED IT because when we had left San Diego at 5:30 a.m. it was already 87 F! The only problem… there was absolutely no VIEW! HA!! WE were socked in the fog and clouds pretty much from Round Valley on up. Guess we will have to do it again sometime on a nice clear day! This was a fantastic hike and honestly we were not in a hurry to get back to San Diego." — yosinalissebeck • Sep 3, 2017

"3/5. Crowds from the tram and other trails were a shock after seeing no one in the previous few hours while cross country. Great views from the summit; I had forgotten how awesome San Jacinto is." — edg • Jul 29, 2017

"Fun hike to the San Jacinto summit from the tram. If you want to give it a try, I have hike directions on my site here: https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/best-la-hikes/palm-springs-aerial-tramway-hike-to-mt-san-jacinto/" — HikingGuy • May 5, 2017

"Made the trip from Vegas to Palm Springs the night before. Hiked the "Easy" way by taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up the mountain.. I'd recommend this experience for anyone, even if they don't want to hike to the summit. Still a good hike at 12 miles round trip and just a bit over 2,600 feet of climbing. The trail was really well maintained and all the granite everywhere was a nice change from the usual scenery around Vegas. Did it as a solo hike but of course, the summit was pretty crowded, which is expected on a weekend for such an accessible place. The views at Wellman's Divide and along the higher parts of the trail were spectacular. " — cardsfanlv • Aug 20, 2016

"If there is a better So Cal hike than the Marion Mountain trail to San Jacinto Peak, I haven't found it yet. Baldy only has it beat for drama. Just try to avoid the bustling weekend peak." — JustinB • May 21, 2016

"Amazing trip!! Did this as an overnight backpacking trip, making camp at Little Round Valley. The weather was a little dismal going in on Saturday, and by Sat. afternoon we couldn't see much but fog and clouds. We tried to summit late Sat. afternoon, but about 1/4 mi in past LRV it started to snow and we decided to turn back in hopes of some better views and weather Sun morning. The redo paid off and we got a few passing moments of clear views at the top the next day!" — sashaspala • Oct 18, 2015

"Did the SoCalHiker Six-pack of peaks route using Marion Mountain Trail. The trail was very steep, but the descent was harder. It was brutal on the legs and knees. Trekking poles were a plus. Did see a few small patches of snow near the top. Started at 6:45 am and did not see anyone on the ascent at all including at the peak. Weekday hiking is the best." — aaronm • Oct 7, 2015

"Did the loop up from Idyllwild on Deer Springs and down Wellman's Divide for maximum scenery exposure. Love this hike, one of my favorites. I have full turn by turn directions to hike San Jacinto peak on my blog, check it out. https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/hiking-san-jacinto-peak-idyllwild-pct/" — HikingGuy • Sep 4, 2015

"Small group hike with Brian, Nick and AJ from CFAP. This one was spicy but I felt really good and held a nice pace. The hike is pretty steep and touches the PCT for a moment which is pretty cool. It is definitely a boulder scramble to the top. " — MobyMcBeard • Jul 25, 2015

"This is my second time to summit. I did it four years ago at the same time for my birthday! This time of my 56th! This time with a friend, Carol from LA who wanted to give it a go. I thought I might just hike to Wellman's and let her summit the next day but her hiking buddy cancelled and I didn't want her to do it alone. I was feeling pretty good so off we went! Took the tram to the top and then to Round Valley and Wellman's Divide where you push to the top! Gorgeous day. PERFECT weather. Fairly clear and a great cool breeze. I conquered it again! Felt great. Dinner in P.S. after with other friends. " — b2squared • Jul 11, 2014

"After Years of wanting to do so I finally Climbed the summit of San Jacinto and Not from the Stupid Tram! We backpacked from Deer Springs and stayed at Strawberry Junction on the PCT. Hit San J in the morning, Stood Naked on the Summit at 10,834 feet! Smoked a joint up there too with my buddy. From there we traversed down to folly Peak, then back up and down to miller, Jean, newton Drury, and Marion Mountain. All cross country in the snow. Then Back to camp via welmans divide. We packed up and hiked out in the sunset followed by the moon light." — 1-with-Nature • Apr 7, 2014

"Dayhike starting from the Marion Mountain Trailhead at 6,320 ft and gaining 4,500 feet in 5.7 miles to the summit. The second in our "Three Saints" in Three Weeks series. The photo shows Mt. San Gorgonio (elev. 11,505 ft) in the background -- the Third Saint, which we will climb on Nov. 16th." — Bob-in-Pasadena • Nov 9, 2013

"The mountain fire began as I approached idyllwild from Hemet, I almost didn't go. Since the hwy was closed from the south end, I Decided to drive around and see if a permit would be issued. My plan was to stay overnight at round valley and spend the next day doing all the peaks. Because the fire grew so rapidly andis still burning I decided on a day hike to the summit of San Jacinto and head back to the car instead. 4400' of elevation gain, 16 miles of hiking and an overall beautiful hike through one of my favorite wilderness areas in southern California!" — Alphabetsoup • Jul 16, 2013

"Tagged Holly's final saint on a day hike from Mt. Station. Great cloud cover for most of the day. At the summit two planes kept buzzing the summit. A good final hike before I leave for the Tetons!" — Christopher • Jul 21, 2012

"Started at dawn at Humber Park. Beautiful day on the trail. Didn't see too many people heading up till we got to Wellman's divide. Arrived at the summit at 2. You know you're on San Jac when you're sharing the summit with a big troop of boy scouts. Way to go troop 318! Last portion of hike down Devil's Slide was done in the dark (with head lamps). We saw a baby white owl. It was a good day." — kellyontheporch • Oct 29, 2011

"Took the tram up. Lots of people. Lots of fun. The trail conditions were perfect and the weather was nice and cool. I will be back with my wife so she can conquer this mountain as well, after it gave her altitude sickness last time." — futurekings • Jul 9, 2011