Obvious freeze/melting cycles. While my snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, this may rapidly become obscured by additional light snowfall and/or drifting snow from strong winds. South Ridge Road is clear of ice and snow. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and/or icy patches (depending upon time of day). Note that tracks are being obscured very quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in hours or even minutes (see photo below). Potentially stormy weather forecast for four periods in the past ten days all failed to significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. After some early sleety drizzle it has been snowing in Long Valley (8600 ft) since late morning with 0.75 inch accumulating so far. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. At the Peak on Sunday 1st January 2023 at 0830 the air temperature was 17.9F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -2.3F (-19C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 21.1 mph. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. A major warming trend will significantly change conditions on the trail system in the next week or two. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. However by this afternoon, melting was already underway below 9000 ft on sun-exposed slopes. It's still a tough 11 mile hike, but it's nothing like climbing to Mt San Jacinto from Palm Springs or Idyllwild. Jean Peak (3252 m) 1.9 km: 2. 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. Deer Springs Trail has an excellent posthole track to follow along its entire length. High near 21. Snow cover is about 80% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter essentially continuous to San Jacinto Peak. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. 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. Altitudes are approximate. 51mi . All trails above about 8000 ft are obscured by snow at this time, and cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The section where the avalanche occurred rarely has people on it, he said, because climbing options are limited to a very technical route that is typically attempted only by experienced climbers later in the season. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. There is a well-traveled track on the lowest section of Deer Springs Trail continuing out to Suicide Rock. Despite warmer temperatures on some days, hikers should be prepared for temperatures near freezing in the high country, and generally below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). Crunchy layers as high as 9800 ft elevation told me it had rained that high at the start of the storm yesterday, but conversely there was very light snow (<1 inch) down to 5500 ft in Idyllwild. With compaction of the trails over the next few days, snowshoes will become less useful on-trail, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at the highest elevations for the foreseeable future. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. Fresh snowfall, melting, and freeze/thaw cycles will all combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain over the next week or two. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. The park's namesake, Mount San Jacinto, rises to 11,000 feet at San Jacinto Peak and offers hikers stunning granite rock faces, subalpine forests, and a lush, fern laden forest floor. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the winter. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Very cautious navigation is advised throughout the area. If there are Road Closed signs further down at the junction with Forest Drive as is often the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. On the morning of Wednesday 11th January, getting an Alpine start, I broke trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak via Devils Slide, PCT, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails. By dusk today it had rained 0.68 inch in Idyllwild, and Long Valley had 1.5 inches of fresh snowfall. Early morning hikes to San Jacinto Peak have generally had icy snow underfoot with sufficient bite for grippy boots, allowing me to bareboot all the way to San Jacinto Peak. Winter is a real bona fide season at Mount San Jacinto State Park. Along . Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Tap on a box to see the date. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. Visitors who are leaving the The track on Deer Springs Trail largely follows the existing trail route up to Little Round Valley. On Mount San Jacinto, the conditions just arent good for avalanches with the slopes and amount of trees we have, he said. At mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild) temperatures are forecast to warm for the next ten days, and to be above seasonal averages well into the second half of November. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 6th February 2023 at 0930 the air temperature was 11.1F (-12C), with a windchill temperature of -11.0F (-24C), 59% relative humidity, and a frigid NNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 20.2 mph. Hikers should anticipate new treefall hazards in trails we have already found one major new one on the Ernie Maxwell Trail and also that tracks in snow may have been obscured by windblown drifting powder. As of the afternoon of Monday 12th, the only tracks that I saw and that are known to be in place are my snowshoe track between Humber Park and San Jacinto Peak (using Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails), and the track of Kyle Eubanks from the previous evening between Long Valley and the Peak via Wellman Divide (which remained surprisingly visible in places about 15-20 hours later, showing how calm the winds were overnight). 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 Tuesday 10th. Since the depths given in the previous Report, there has been some melting at higher elevations which have been above the cloud at times, and below 7000 ft where temperatures have remained above freezing for several days. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. Deer Springs Trail has a broken track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6-8 inches (12-14 inches on 12th December), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 8 inches (10-12 inches on 12th December), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-2 inches (7 inches on 12th December), Annies Junction/approx. A key feature of this sequence of storms will be the relative warmth of the air masses which will lead to high freeze levels. As forecast, the storm came in two main waves, with the bulk of the precipitation falling for most of the daylight hours of Sunday 11th, followed by a remarkably calm and clear night, and then a much less intense period of snowfall between about 0800-1300 on Monday 12th. It will however be very icy in the early mornings for the next few days at least. The switchbacks up to Tahquitz Peak average only 20% icy snow cover, but the frequency and length of ice patches increases on the uppermost switchbacks. Hundreds of SoCal students snowed in at mountain camps for days. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. While the shallow icy snow should melt steadily over the next few days, 4WD/AWD vehicles are recommended. The traversing slopes above Wellmans Divide were very firm and relatively tricky in snowshoes, and some hikers may prefer to use spikes (or probably crampons) plus an ice axe above about 9800 ft. As I descended past Saddle Junction I was surprised not to see any other tracks as of early afternoon on Friday 6th, which I mention only because of the lack of broken trails this indicates. Current forecasts suggest that there may be significant snowfall on Sunday 29th-Monday 30th January at all elevations, but some warming and steady snow melt likely on either side of that date. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. The powder was lovely and soft, and overlying a firm icy layer (from all the freezing rain). Partly cloudy. Three numbers are given: the first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in brackets by the new snow accumulation from the storm on 29th-30th January, and finally in parentheses by the maximum depth where known so far this winter, generally on 18th January following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. By using snowshoes, crampons, or even just microspikes, we were able to hike Mount San Jacinto's summit every month of the year. Be prepared for trails above about 7500 ft (lower in places) obscured by moderate to deep snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide, from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak, and up South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. The next, much more substantial, wave of snow arrives later this afternoon. The lower half of the trail should be largely clear of snow by the weekend. Current expectations are only for 1-2 inches of snow at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild) and not much more at higher elevations, perhaps 2-3 inches with each storm. Precipitation at the elevation of Idyllwild fell largely as rain (1.79 inches) before turning to thunder snow starting at 1235 on Sunday afternoon (currently accumulated to 1.5 inch but still snowing as I write this). Nevertheless, snowshoes will be valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000ft for the foreseeable future, and on trail where tracks have not yet been broken. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 4 inches (storm total 3.5 inches), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3.5 inches (storm total 3.5 inches). WEATHER MOUNT DIABLO SAN FRANCISCO SNOW SKIING RAIN TRAFFIC. Sadly it is looking increasingly likely that neither storm will significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. 32mi . Above that elevation, icy snow is almost continuous to Saddle Junction. Snow cover is about 60% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter >90% to San Jacinto Peak. Temperatures are expected to remain below average for January for the remainder of the month in Strawberry Valley (Idyllwild area), but are forecast to swing well above average (above freezing) for the highest elevations on 21st-26th January. Forecasts range widely from 6-22 inches of snow for the highest elevations across multiple days, with a mix of rain and several inches of snow at mid elevations. Tracks are in place around Skunk Cabbage Meadow, and south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. For those that are unclear, the Skyline Trail is the first segment of the C2C (Cactus to clouds) from Palm Springs up to Grubbs Notch (Long Valley). Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. As they neared the Highway 111 cutoff near 9 a.m. her friend saw the snow coming off the peak as the avalanche gave way. This will change later this week. The PCT on the south-facing slope (Angels Glide) for about 1.0 mile north of Saddle Junction is largely clear of snow (spikes not required). Mount San Jacinto State Park. Spitler Peak Trail is now functionally clear of snow. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter especially at weekends and holiday periods after fresh snowfall then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Snowshoes are currently not required on the established trail system, which is now too heavily traveled and compacted for snowshoes. No, it wasn't snowfall in the Santa Cruz Mountains or at Mt. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through light icy snow above 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). We have had an excellent start to 2023 regarding the water and snow situations in the San Jacinto mountains. Through LRV and up to San Jacinto Peak, there are at least three tracks (two posthole, one snowshoe), none of which attempt to follow the trail route, and all are steep and very direct. This is a genuine relief after such a long, hot, and largely dry last 6-7 months. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. However it is thinning rapidly everywhere, and will look radically different in a week or so. Snow cover is only 50% below 6700 ft, about 95% up to 7200 ft, and continuous thereafter. Their arrival followed a period of several days of temperatures well above seasonal the previous week which had produced some significant melting. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. . There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. Climb the remaining 5,100 feet of snow and or ice in one of the several chutes. There are plenty of places in local mountains with snow, but you also need to check on driving requirements (are chains required?) All trails above about 6500 ft remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. My 2022 survey counted 97 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. but her friend Joyce Schwartz took some short videos from which this still image is taken. Winter Hiking: Dangerous conditions exist when snow and ice conditions are present. Even if there is no precipitation, there will be temperatures well below seasonal on those days. Forecasts for snowfall have varied greatly in both timing and volume, the latter ranging from inches to feet. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. BEST SELLER. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Thursday 15th December 2022 at 0715 the air temperature was 28.0F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 13.9F (-10C), 52% relative humidity, and a chilly WNW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 14.5 mph. Spikes are not essential, but many hikers may find them useful depending on their comfort level hiking on thin icy snow. In my recent experience off-trail snow is now also largely too shallow and/or patchy for snowshoes. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Later that morning at San Jacinto Peak, I measured a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), the fourth lowest temperature I have ever recorded there. My tracks from Wednesday were still largely visible and helped a little with traction. On Fuller Ridge Trail there are five major treefall hazards obstructing the trail in the 1.5 mile section nearest to the campground (PCT Miles 189-190.5). Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. Precipitation turned to occasional light snow in Long Valley at about 1330, with an accumulation by 1550 of just 0.5 inch. 13:00. Some 37 trees are down on the Forest Service section of this trail between Skunk Cabbage Junction and the State Park boundary (23rd September 2022 survey). Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. For about one mile north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is only a patchy 30% on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) and then averages about 50% on the Wellman Trail, but then icy snow cover is about 95% on the Peak Trail to San Jacinto Peak. A short video giving a feel for current snow conditions at San Jacinto Peak is available here on YouTube. While the snow was not especially deep, it still took about double the time of a completely dry ascent. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the challenge (or otherwise) of a given trail. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th December (east side) or 15th December (west side) 2022 are as follows. Spitler Peak Trail (surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. Three periods of cold, cloudy days are now expected over the next ten days, but little if any precipitation.]. However the precipitation amounts and probabilities for both storm systems have varied greatly in recent forecasts, and the models seem to be especially uncertain about details of the second storm (approx. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 22-24 inches (includes 6 inches added on 5th January), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 15 inches (5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 17 inches (5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (2 inches on 5th), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 10 inches (2 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3-5 inches (1 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 5th). The second storm on 15th-16th is expected to be colder with a lower freeze level which may result in 1-2 inches of snow down to 5000 ft or possibly even lower. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 0-1 inch, photo below (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 1-2 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 0-1 inch [measured 26th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 0 inch [measured 26th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): <1 inch (was 2-3 inches on 9th), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0 inch (was approx. Firm and fast hard packed ice before 11am. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft, lower in places. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 37-42 inches, drifted >50 inches especially on east flank, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 42-46 inches, heavily drifted, Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 35 inches, Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches, Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 21 inches, Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-2 inches. Although that day was not as cold and windy as 15th, I ascended in heavy cloud conditions with steady snowfall for the first three hours. However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). NA. From Laws east to Caramba the route of the original Caramba Trail has been well-cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with very careful route-finding. There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, lower in places. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and far below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). 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. My snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junction through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide , the Peak Trail, and East Ridge, but this may become obscured by additional light snowfall and/or drifting snow from strong winds. Through and below Little Round Valley, my track almost entirely follows the established trail. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently snow-covered. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. San Jacinto Peak is the highest peak in the California State Park system, and the second-highest point in southern California. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. I made a concerted effort to put in a track as faithful to the trail routes as conditions permitted, both up and down. Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has at least one ice layer underneath the fresh powder. The Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 10th January] has minor patches of snow along its entire length, however it is largely clear for long sections, and the remaining snow is rarely icy. Spikes are strongly recommended. Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. At the Peak on Monday 19th December 2022 at 0920 the air temperature was 31.3F (0C), with a windchill temperature of 20.7F (-6C), 9% relative humidity, and a gentle WNW wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 9.9 mph. About 6-10 inches of snow are forecast for the high country on Saturday 14th, with 1-2 inches possible at the elevation of Idyllwild (preceded by 1-2 inches of rain). On the afternoon of 18th I saw posthole tracks that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. He has just reported storm snow totals of 5-6 inches at Wellman Divide (9700 ft) and four inches in both Round and Long valleys from his descending hike. When the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). 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