Note that there are about a dozen stream crossings and sections of the trail with water flowing in them, at times for tens of feet. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. A major warming trend will significantly change conditions on the trail system in the next week or two. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 10 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 7-8 inches (photo above), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 3 inches (was 4 inches on 9th), Round Valley (9100 ft): was 4 inches on 9th, Annies Junction/approx. Regardless, always be prepared for snowy/icy conditions. Spikes were not required even for descending on 14th. On South Ridge Trail spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks. Check out the Mount San Jacinto State Park, CA WinterCast. Above Little Round Valley there are at least half-a-dozen tracks ascending toward San Jacinto Peak, none of which accurately follow the established trail route. Despite the relatively weak sun at this time of year, such warm temperatures mean that snow melt may be unusually rapid (for December) at all elevations, snow conditions will generally be poor for hiking (soft, slippery, and even slushy), while in many areas conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails in the early mornings above about 7000 ft. When plowed Humber will remain very icy for the next few days at least. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 2-4 inches (was 12 inches on 9th November), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 2-4 inches (was approx. This is especially dangerous on portions of trails that are . Black Mountain Road closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 (see Forest Service website regarding this closure here). Lying within Mount San Jacinto State Park it is the highest both in the range and the county, and serves as the southern border of the San Gorgonio Pass. On the morning of Wednesday 15th February I ascended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes), descending the western side via roughly Deer Springs Trail. This latest storm was again very mild, as expected from an atmospheric river system pulling moisture in from warmer latitudes. However a couple more inches of snow are expected this afternoon, and also on 2nd and 5th January. Trails above about 8500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft on the west side, 9900 ft on the east). In the week since the last storm we have surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak twice, plus South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Marion Mountain trails, among others. In fact on my hike to San Jacinto Peak on Monday 13th through steady morning snow I could barely tell the difference in snow depths from the previous week, as the few inches of fresh snow had almost exactly replaced the few inches of depth that had melted over the previous week. Note that tracks discussed here may become obscured by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds combined with extensive ice fall from trees overhead. From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction. Starting in late morning the ice and icy snow is getting very slick due to a thin layer of meltwater on the surface, especially in sun-exposed areas. This morning I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 25-27 inches (includes 2.5 inches snow added on 10th January) but very heavily drifted, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 24 inches (2 inches on 10th January), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail/PCT Mile 184.9 (8700 ft): 13 inches (1 inch snow on 10th), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus 1.5 inches rain on 10th), Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183.3 (8100 ft): 6 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Deer Springs Trail at Suicide Rock Trail junction (6950 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0.5 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th). San Jacinto hike from the tram was such an epic way to hike this mountain in the snow! 10 inches on 9th November), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-1 inch (was 4 inches on 9th November), Annies Junction/approx. IMPORTANT UPDATE Friday 13th January: back-to-back Pacific storm systems are forecast to impact the San Jacinto mountains this weekend, the first on Saturday 14th, immediately followed by another Sunday 15th-Monday 16th January. I switched to crampons and then finished breaking the Peak Trail through to near Miller Peak (photo below). Trails down to 5000 ft elevation currently have patchy shallow snow cover. UPDATE Wednesday 22nd: the first of four storms expected over the next eight days, the sixteenth storm of this winter, produced a very light snowfall but bitterly cold conditions in the San Jacinto mountains overnight. After a relatively benign day, it started snowing gently at 1340, and has become steady with large wet flakes in the past hour or so. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (summarized in a prior Report) has been melting steadily as temperatures in the past week have been above seasonal. If the Report is useful to you in any way, please consider using this link to the Donate page. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is clear of snow. However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). Below is an excellent videograb of an avalanche in the Snow Creek drainage on the north face of San Jacinto Peak that was witnessed by friend of the Trail Report Catherine Peterson yesterday morning at about 0840. Strong winds expected on 11th-12th February, and again on 14th, will likely obscure many tracks with spindrift. Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow to the PCT. My track largely follows the established trail routes, with some modifications for the conditions. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. They are strongly recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, the Wellman Trail, Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, and on both flanks but critically on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Recently I have mentioned the challenges of hard, icy snow underfoot and the value of using spikes (and/or crampons) especially for descending and traversing. While they are not strictly required, depending upon your expertise level hiking on shallow variable icy snow, mixed with slush and ice patches (itself depending on time of day and sun exposure), spikes will continue become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails undergo freeze-thaw cycles and become further consolidated by hiker traffic. The Mammoth Mountain ski resort has received 41.5 feet (12.6 meters) of snow since October and could be on a path to break the all-time snow season record of 55.7 feet (17 meters) set in 2010-2011. Mount San Jacinto State Park. I recorded a short video at San Jacinto Peak early on the morning of Monday 12th December (available here) which gives a feel for conditions as the storm was nearing its end. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles and compaction over the next week or two. I measured 15 inches of snow during a check of Devils Slide trailhead (6520 ft) at Humber Park this morning. Snow Summit. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin, and the State Park campground at Stone Creek, are closed for the season. Early on Wednesday 18th January I barebooted up Devils Slide Trail (which I had broken to Saddle the previous morning). In total,. Steady melting of snow, especially on sun-exposed slopes, and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. The East Ridge Trail (from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak) has a handful of tracks through the continuous snow, though none (including mine) accurately follow the trail route. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 36-40 inches (winter max depth 45-48 inches), drifted >50 inches in places, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 38 inches (45 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches (48 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 20 inches (24 inches), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 18 inches (22 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-3 inches, partly melted by afternoon of 6th (6 inches), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): <1.0 inch, largely melted by afternoon of 6th (4 inches). Current known total accumulations are 4 inches in Idyllwild, 6 inches at Devils Slide Trailhead, 9 inches at Saddle Junction, and 8 inches at Long Valley. Above that elevation, icy snow is almost continuous to Saddle Junction. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). UPDATE Saturday 17th December 2022: Early this morning we hiked South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak, and I broke trail from Tahquitz Peak to and from Chinquapin Flat through moderate snow. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. This is expected to be a seasonal closure until next year. I kept my crampons on for the entire descent, taking advantage of excellent cross-country glissading conditions, and made it from San Jacinto Peak back to Humber Park in just over two hours. 34 minutes ago. The forecasts remain wildly inconsistent for the potential storms next week but it is looking increasingly likely that the systems will miss us to the north.]. Deer Springs Trail has a posthole track to follow along its entire length. Crampons (or perhaps spikes or snowshoes on some days) are recommended. With the light fresh powder the previous evening, accompanied by very strong winds causing extensive drifting, prior tracks, including my own from 13th, had been totally erased everywhere so I was again breaking trail the entire way. Most major trails now have a track through the snow to follow, details have been updated below. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. Deer Springs Trail (surveyed 8th December) is functionally clear of ice to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft). Thank you for taking the time to read this. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there has been extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Lightly-traveled snowshoe and/or posthole tracks radiate away from Saddle Junction around the meadow trail and south toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have not checked how accurately they follow established trail routes or how far they continue. With some melting already underway and compaction caused by freeze-thaw cycles and hiker traffic, conditions will deteriorate for snowshoeing over the next few days, especially on more heavily traveled trails below 9000ft. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, plus an ice axe (and thorough knowledge of how to use it) are currently required for traversing these slopes. Super Rare Avalanche on North Face of San Jacinto. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. UPDATE Friday 20th January: Overnight Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow, but the high country was above the cloud so existing tracks should be unaffected. Forecasts are currently indicating about 30-40 inches of snow for the highest peaks of the San Jacinto mountains (>10,000 ft) between 21st and 25th February, and about 18-30 inches for Idyllwild (5000-6000 ft elevations). The station is at an elevation of 2,600 feet in the San Jacinto Mountains. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through increasingly patchy, very thin, icy snow above about 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Marion Mountain Trail (surveyed at least weekly in past month) has a very well-defined track to follow. Slushy in places in the afternoon. Feb. 28, 2023 6:07 AM PT. At the Peak on Monday 7th November 2022 at 1715 the air temperature was 28.4F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 12.7F (-11C), 93% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 22.0 mph. Minor storm overnight on 27th-28th December. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. There is no planned reopening date at this time. When the gate is closed there are still nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). Further light snow is expected starting this evening, followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March. The atmospheric river of moisture from lower latitudes was weaker than the storm in early November, although snowfall was ultimately slightly greater in this storm than in November, perhaps in part due to the colder temperatures. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 9th November 2022 are as follows. Although excellent tracks are now in place for some major trails (as outlined below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere for the next few days in particular. Since the depths given in the previous Report, there had been very minor storms on 28th and 29th December, which added a couple of inches at the highest elevations, down to 0.5 inch at 8000 ft. However, relatively well-traveled tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below). I snowshoed down from San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, Saddle Junction, and Devils Slide Trail. At the Peak on Thursday 8th December 2022 at 0900 the air temperature was 28.4F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 12.7F (-11C), 11% relative humidity, and a fresh SW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 9.3 mph. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses by the depth of fresh snow added by the latest storm on Thursday 5th. Spikes could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing (e.g., see photo below). Thank you so much for your support. The average snow depth in this area is only about five inches, but on this slope it is heavily drifted in places at 10-12 inches. WEATHER UPDATE 23rd December: forecasts have been shifting dramatically in recent days. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. They are strongly recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, the Wellman Trail, Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, and on both flanks but critically on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. 59mi . As discussed above, additional light snowfall on 3rd and 5th January will further complicate the trail conditions. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 5-6 inches (was approx. Most days will be at least partly cloudy. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 23rd January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. In addition to the flood watch, a wind advisory is in effect across Riverside County from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Snow cover is essentially continuous from Strawberry Junction to San Jacinto Peak, although patches are starting to clear below 8500 ft (south of the top of the Marion Mountain Trail). Snow cover is about 60% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter >90% to San Jacinto Peak. Snow Creek and San Jacinto Peak to Tram Hard 4.7 (99) San Jacinto Wilderness Photos (5,943) Directions Print/PDF map Length 28.3 miElevation gain 10,242 ftRoute type Point to point Try this 28.3-mile point-to-point trail near Whitewater, California. In addition to snowshoes, and as conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 6000ft. On 13th, Idyllwild received 2.75 inches, and I measured five inches at San Jacinto Peak, with 3-4 inches at locations in between. Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! Altitudes are approximate. Windy, with a west wind 45 to 55 mph decreasing to 35 . Spikes are recommended. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled and level track photo below to follow through the light 3-4 inches of powder (drifted to six inches in places). From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction, but this track was being partially erased by spindrift within minutes. On the afternoon of Monday 6th I was treated to moody clouds and virga, a cloud base just above my head at San Jacinto Peak, and the briefest possible flurry of small snow flakes while at the Peak (but nothing settled). Trees overhead hiker tracks through the snow of 2,600 feet in the snow that tracks discussed here become. Places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average icy ) mornings one... Have a track through the snow since the storm in early November 2022 are as follows remain icy... Descending on 14th, will likely obscure many tracks with spindrift functionally clear of ice to Strawberry Junction ( ft... System in the snow since the storm in early November 2022 6000 ft possibly. Afternoon, and Devils Slide Trail freeze/thaw cycles and compaction over the next week or two on 3rd 5th... Measured 15 inches of snow from strong winds combined with extensive ice fall from trees overhead past days. 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Above, additional light snowfall on 3rd and 5th January finished breaking the Peak Trail has a well-defined.

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