I recorded a short video discussion there (available here on YouTube) which gives a feel for current conditions. Snow cover remains >95% through Little Round Valley up to San Jacinto Peak. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 0-1 inch (4 inches on 12th December), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch (3.5 inches on 12th December). Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Top ways to experience San Jacinto Mountain and nearby attractions. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak [checked 9th January] has no steps to follow through the steeply angled icy snow. It was near-whiteout conditions due to wild spindrift above Wellman Divide, but the new snow was firm and overall made for good snowshoeing conditions. Although the high country currently has its deepest snow accumulation since March 2019, this winter nevertheless remains well below the average for snowfall in the San Jacinto mountains to date. A major warming trend will significantly change conditions on the trail system in the next week or two. Dark Canyon Road (4S02), the access to Seven Pines Trail, and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) also closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. Above seasonal temperatures will continue until Sunday 27th November. 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). 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. Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since last weeks storm, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail) and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. Avalanche risk is currently minimal and is rarely a factor in the San Jacinto mountains with the exception of a couple of traditional locations (notably the north face of San Jacinto Peak). This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including chunks I have estimated as weighing 40-100 lb this winter, which can dislodge dramatically once direct sunlight warms the trees. However a brief frigid interlude on 5th-6th February included a very light overnight snowfall at all elevations above 5000 ft, with 0.75 inch in Idyllwild, increasing to 1.5 inch at San Jacinto Peak. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces below the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.5 inches (total 3.5 inch). Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). There is no planned reopening date at this time. At the Peak on Monday 13th February 2023 at 1010 the air temperature was 16.8F (-10C), with a windchill temperature of -1.3F (-19C), 95% relative humidity, and a wintry NNW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 13.2 mph. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 23rd January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows. 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. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through light icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for hiking. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. I have kept crampons on for most of the descent, removing them most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. Two or more inches of rain are likely for mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild) on 27th-30th, with several inches of snow possible above 10,000 ft elevation on various days over the next week or so. Some general comments on snow/ice conditions. Final precipitation numbers for Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft elevation) across the three days were 5.06 inches of rain and 6.5 inches of snow, although only about half of the latter remained on the ground as a few inches were removed by (relatively) warm rain between snow storms. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. Forecasts are currently predicting 30-50 inches of snow for the highest peaks of the San Jacinto mountains (>10,000 ft) mainly between 23rd and 25th February, and about 18-30 inches for the Idyllwild area (5000-6000 ft elevations). If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. All trails above about 5500 ft are largely snow-covered (wholly snow-covered above about 7000 ft). Sunrise was at 6:20 am and sunset will be at 5:38 pm; the daylight will last for 11h and 18min. However this may change next week with new snowfall possible as discussed below. An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Those systems are summarized here: Conditions will remain very unsettled throughout the second and third weeks of January. Currently only two major trail routes have been traveled and even those may become partially obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Tuesday 27th December 2022 at 0850 the air temperature was 31.2F (-1C), with a windchill temperature of 15.1F (-9C), 31% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 17 mph gusting to 26.1 mph. [UPDATE 1st December 2022: the double storm system that looks likely to bring significant precipitation to northern and central California appears to be missing the San Jacinto mountains, despite optimistic forecasts over the previous week. Tap on a box to see the date. 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. Currently there is less than three feet of snow at San Jacinto Peak; I suspect it would be 5-8 feet had we had fractionally cooler conditions in the past month. Although the snow is not particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and steeply angled, and has at least one ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Joyce Schwartz - From Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit Facebook Page. Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 45 inches, heavily drifted, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 40 inches (45 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches (45-48 inches), Tahquitz Peak (8836 ft): 25 inches, heavily drifted to 40 inches in places (measured 20th January), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 36 inches, Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8100 ft): 15 inches, Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 19 inches (21 inches), Suicide Rock Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (6950 ft): 1-3 inches, Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 2-4 inches (5-6 inches), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-2 inches (3 inches). Make Yahoo Your Homepage Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! 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. I was pleased to see that over the weekend some posthole tracks were added on top of my snowshoe track from last week all the way up Deer Springs Trail to San Jacinto Peak. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 6000 ft, lower in places. A rapidly warming montane climate, with changes especially striking at high elevation, is exacerbating all of these issues. Areas of fog. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. Deer Springs Trail has a posthole track to follow along its entire length. 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 Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 5000 ft, potentially lower in places. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park remains open and the parking area has been largely plowed. As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. Sadly this phenomenon has become much more of a factor in the past 5-10 years with freezing rainfall (rather than snow) occurring at higher elevations at higher frequency with much warmer weather systems. The freeze level will initially be above 10,000 ft, ultimately only falling to about 9000 ft, so many of the main access trails to the high country may get no new snowfall. Snowshoes are likely to become useful (even essential in early January), at least above about 9000 ft, if there is significant snowfall during the coming week or so as forecast. On 24th the road had about 30% patchy ice cover. However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). This will change later this week. Initially a cold system that brought 2-3 inches of snow to elevations between 4500 ft and 9000 ft. A short video summary of what we found when we broke trail up Devils Slide that morning. Melting may be slow and largely confined to the most sun-exposed slopes, but freeze/thaw cycles, compaction, and low overnight temperatures may lead to very icy conditions. Deer Springs Trail has a broken track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak. Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track to follow. At the Peak on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at 1030 the air temperature was 4.9F (-15C), with a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), 65% relative humidity, and a bitter due North wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. We surveyed the PCT where it crosses Highway 74 (approx. All have been reported to US Forest Service. Thank you so much for your support. A key feature of this sequence of storms will be the relative warmth of the air masses which will lead to high freeze levels. A few cleared patches are developing below 7000 ft. 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. The flow of atmospheric river storm systems continues unabated across California. A weather system, possibly in two waves across a broad time window between 2nd and 5th December, is currently forecast to produce light precipitation at all elevations, including a possible dusting of snow in the high country [update 1st December: no precipitation is now expected from these storms passing to the north of us]. 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). Combined with a weak sun at this time of year, snow melt will generally be very slow at upper elevations, and conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails. The freeze level has remained around 7500 ft for most of today, but is forecast to drop overnight closer to 6000 ft. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 8000 ft moderately, snow-covered. In addition to snowshoes, and as conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 6000ft. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. If you don't have previous steep snow experience, please seriously consider whether it's a good idea for you to hike where snow is on the ground. I postholed barebooting to 8900 ft before putting on crampons. Both days I put spikes on at the Peak for the descent, on 24th keeping them on until about 8000 ft on Marion Mountain Trail, and on 28th until about 9900 ft on the Peak Trail, roughly one mile north of Wellman Divide. 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). "My friend noticed the clouds and the snow on the mountains and we started looking at it and taking pictures of it and then she said, 'that's an avalanche,'" said Schwartz, who called the sight a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Precipitation is predicted to start falling by 6 p.m. Monday with lows in the mountains of 28 to 36 degrees and gusts up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th January 2023 are as follows. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 5.5 inches (storm total 5 inches), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 6 inches (storm total 5 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 5-6 inches (storm total 5 inches) [thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 3-4 inches (storm total 3-4 inches), Saddle Junction/approx. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. The system averaged colder than the November storm, with more snow at lower elevations, although it was still notable that it initially rained as high as 9500 ft on the morning of Sunday 11th. Two new trees were down on the upper trail, unsurprising given the huge weight of ice from freezing rain plastered all over the trees. Altitudes are approximate. Spikes are not generally required for ascending, but most hikers will find them useful for descending. Note that tracks discussed can be obscured quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. Spikes are recommended. Storm systems forecast for 21st-24th and 28th February are all predicted to include severe windchill temperatures near or below -20F (-29C). 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. Forecast precipitation is currently only a dusting of 1-2 inches of snow at upper elevations, but combined with strong winds this will be sufficient to complicate route-finding. Secondly, because there is really very little snow on the PCT. Above that elevation, icy snow is almost continuous to Saddle Junction. Effective 26th January 2023 the State Park closed the section of Skyline Trail that falls within its jurisdiction, above 5800 ft elevation, until further notice due to dangerous weather conditions. Spikes will likely become increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. On Monday 14th we ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) and descended the west side via Deer Springs Trail. 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. I snowshoed the rest of the way to San Jacinto Peak through lovely light powder. New treefall hazards on major trails have been reported to relevant agencies, and those on Spitler Peak Trail have already been cleared by the Trail Report. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 5-6 inches (was approx. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. 7-Day Weather Live Satellite & Weather Radar. The storm brought down four new treefall hazards down on upper Spitler Peak Trail, awkward but all passable with care. Mount San Jacinto State Park is all about the San Jacinto Mountains. However, relatively well-traveled tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below). The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has no steps to follow through the steeply angled ice with overlying deep snow. Spikes are recommended. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. Snow is virtually continuous from there to San Jacinto Peak, with an excellent track to follow. Deer Springs Trail is clear from the Highway 243 trailhead to the Suicide Rock trail junction at 7000 ft, and functionally clear from there to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft), with a few icy snow patches increasing in length and frequency as you ascend. Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. Mountain rescue president says avalanches are rare on mountain. Spikes will likely become increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. I was surprised to find that no one had made it through on the Wellman Trail over the weekend, so I postholed somewhat over my snowshoe tracks from 15th until Wellman Divide. It does not accurately follow the established trail route in significant sections but is navigable. South Ridge Trail (surveyed 26th and 30th November) is now functionally clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak with only 1-2% icy snow cover overall. South Ridge Trail from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak has a relatively well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. Although excellent tracks are now in place and clearly visible for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and generally far freezing when considering wind chill effects. Forecasts are increasingly confident of a moderate storm on Sunday 11th, with up to 1.5 inch of rain at the elevation of Idyllwild, turning into 1-3 inches of light snow on Sunday night, while 8-14 inches of snow are forecast for the high country. However, forecast models suggest anywhere from 6-20 inches of snow above 10,000 ft elevation spread across at least two of the three days, and the possibility of several inches of snow at mid elevations (e.g., 2-4 inches in Idyllwild). SNOW DEPTHS measured on 12th November 2022 are as follows (measured on 15th for Deer Springs Trail locations). This morning I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. Even around the 10,000 ft peaks temperatures are expected to fluctuate either side of freezing for at least the first half of February, which will lead to freeze/thaw cycles and likely icy conditions in the mornings followed by soft, challenging snow in the afternoons. This will make trail conditions more complicated, and if in any doubt whatsoever carry and use traction devices accordingly (see discussion in introduction above). Both trails were virtually completely clear of snow. In Idyllwild at 5550 ft, rainfall storm total today is 1.14 inches. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th). On 23rd January I saw posthole tracks from Saddle Junction that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, the start of Willow Creek Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. Above Little Round Valley the track through the snow does not follow the trail route to San Jacinto Peak, and is steep and direct. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Please check this page for periodic updates throughout the storm (the most recent is at the top). This is a brief summary of conditions following the second Pacific storm, and the first significant snowfall, of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. Due to the very high freeze level snowfall was restricted to a light dusting above 8200 ft, increasing to one inch above 9000 ft and 1.5 inch above 10,000 ft. Impacts will be minimal on high country trails, but trails between 7000-9000 ft with pre-existing snow may be a mix of slush, snow and ice, and will require some caution. Mammoth Lakes, traditionally one of the snowiest places in California, had nearly 4 feet (1.2 meters) of snow over the past three days. Altitudes are approximate. 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 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. With significant further snowfalls expected in the next week (at least), and moderate to strong winds in the high country expected for many of those days causing some daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system may remain completely or somewhat obscured by snow throughout most or all of January. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for mid to upper elevations (at least >6000 ft) for the foreseeable future. In the days since the storm, we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). The Peak Trail still has about 90% cover of icy snow to San Jacinto Peak. Spikes are strongly recommended. 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). They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying shallow powder. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. Trail conditions are updated below. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. On 14th, about 2.0 inches fell in Idyllwild, with an inch all the way down to 3500 ft (and a dusting even lower), but upper elevations received a similar amount, with 2.5 inches in Long Valley (8600 ft) and at Wellman Divide (9700 ft), and no more than three inches at San Jacinto Peak. The week from 21st-26th December may be among the warmest on record for the year-end holiday period. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. per adult. UPDATE Sunday 1st January 2023: A moderate overnight storm produced 1.53 inches of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550ft). San Jacinto Peak is the highest peak in the California State Park system, and the second-highest point in southern California. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. By dusk today it had rained 0.68 inch in Idyllwild, and Long Valley had 1.5 inches of fresh snowfall. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. but ideal for snowshoes, which I used from Saddle to San Jacinto Peak and back. We removed nine treefall hazards on 18th November and the trail is now completely clear again, bringing to 56 the number of trees we have removed from this trail since mid 2021. All trails above about 6500 ft remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. There is a lightly traveled compacted snowshoe track on the East Ridge between Miller Peak and San Jacinto Peak but it does not accurately follow the route of the East Ridge Trail. Both storms were relatively cold, the second in particular dusting snow below 3500 ft elevation. Use this relief map to navigate to mountain peaks in the area of Mount San Jacinto Peak. In summary there are good tracks in place through the very shallow snow, and spikes are not required (but may be useful for some hikers depending on their experience in thin icy snow). South Ridge Road (5S11) remains closed to vehicle traffic. 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