SNOW DEPTHS measured on 15th February 2023 are as follows. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers will find them useful for descending. In a video taken at the city's tram station, flurries can be seen falling, and sticking, onto the ground. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, potentially lower in places. 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. Both storms were relatively cold, the second in particular dusting snow below 3500 ft elevation. At the Peak on Thursday 24th November 2022 at 0810 the air temperature was 29.0F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 5.7F (-15C), 16% relative humidity, and a severe NNW wind sustained at 25 mph gusting to 35.1 mph. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through increasingly patchy, very thin, icy snow above about 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). MT. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. The powder was lovely and soft, and overlying a firm icy layer (from all the freezing rain). Although I made a concerted effort to put in a track as faithful to the trail routes as conditions permitted, wild winds and spindrift powder on all the exposed slopes rendered that fairly pointless. A minor storm on the night of Tuesday 21st will include severe cold and severe winds, followed by milder, moderate storm on 22nd-23rd, and then an unusual atmospheric river combined with very cold air again producing heavy snowfall for 23rd-25th February. 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). 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. 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). The storm brought down four new treefall hazards down on upper Spitler Peak Trail, awkward but all passable with care. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. 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. 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. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will certainly remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country well into February at least. Marion Mountain Trail has a well-traveled snowshoe track to follow along its entire length. We have had an excellent start to 2023 regarding the water and snow situations in the San Jacinto mountains. Thank you so much for your support. 2-3 inches on 9th), Saddle Junction/approx. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. Precipitation has been steady at mid and upper elevations for the past few hours. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 11th January 2023 at 0915 the air temperature was 24.0F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 5.8F (-15C), 74% relative humidity, and a bitter NNW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 24.5 mph. Potentially dangerous cold is currently forecast for the highest peaks for 14th-23rd January at least. By using snowshoes, crampons, or even just microspikes, we were able to hike Mount San Jacinto's summit every month of the year. At the Peak on Thursday 29th December 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 25.8F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 7.2F (-14C), 81% relative humidity, and a harsh WNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 25.4 mph. Devils Slide Trail is almost clear of icy snow to about 7700 ft although some extended dirty icy patches remain below that. 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. Sadly this phenomenon has become much more of a factor in recent years with freezing rainfall (rather than snow) occurring at higher elevations at higher frequency with much warmer weather systems. While these are expected to bring significant precipitation throughout the state, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding timing and precipitation amounts for Southern California. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Snow cover is only 50% below 6700 ft, about 95% up to 7200 ft, and continuous thereafter. All trails above about 7500 ft are currently remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. While the snow was not especially deep, it still took about double the time of a completely dry ascent. Sign up for Alert San Diego notifications for all your telephone numbers. Top Stories. This will continue to be the case for at least a week, given fresh snowfall expected. 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. Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since the early November storm, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. A key feature of this sequence of storms will be the relative warmth of the air masses which will lead to high freeze levels. The high country added only another couple of inches of snow overnight. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 9th November 2022 are as follows. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures well 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). Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for hiking. A few minor patches exist close to the top. 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. Altitudes are approximate. The track on Deer Springs Trail largely follows the existing trail route up to Little Round Valley. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Spitler Peak Trail (last surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 2 inches (was 3 inches on 9th), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): patchy 0.5-1.0 inch (was 2.5 inches on 9th). This may continue for several weeks, or could change given further fresh snowfall forecast. PCTA is aware of the situation, and is hoping to start addressing it soon (weather permitting). So, to see something like this happen is very rare.. An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. 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. Mount San Jacinto State Park. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, the Wellman Trail, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, on both flanks but especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). My track largely follows the established trail routes, with some modifications for the conditions. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. Every year seems to have unique challenges and 2023 is already proving to be no exception. While the snow quantities are forecast to be 1-2 inches at most, they may be much colder systems than have been typical so far this winter, with freeze levels below 5000 ft. Although I carried snowshoes it would have been risky to try to use them on the icy traverses. 13:00. The rain has becoming heavier in the past hour or so. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. That said, the going was extremely easy as the rain layer on top of the snow remaining for earlier storms had completely frozen, so I was only having to break trail through an inch or two of fine powder. An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. 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). 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. Again the freeze levels may be relatively high, with little more than an inch or two of snow likely below 6000 ft, a forecast 2-6 inches of fresh snowfall in the high country scattered across two or more days, and roughly 0.5-1.0 inch of rain (perhaps mainly freezing rain) throughout the mid elevations. On multiple recent ascents of San Jacinto Peak I have generally ascended and descended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes). All trails above about 5000 ft are currently lightly (or above 8000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. The freeze level will again start very high, but is forecast to fall lower, with the possibility of a light dusting of snow down to about 5500 ft. Another inch of rain is forecast for mid elevations, but a heavier snowfall is expected in the high country, with predictions ranging from 8-20 inches above 10,000 ft. Further precipitation is tentatively forecast for 3rd-6th January, but amounts, timing, and freeze levels remain uncertain this far ahead. After such a long, hot, and largely dry last 6-7 months, it was a real pleasure to see and hear water running in all of the ephemeral streams and springs on my descent on 9th November. Early on the morning of Saturday 17th I broke trail back-and-forth across the 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak which now has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder. A few trees were cut by chainsaw at the far (Hidden Divide) end of the Forest Service section recently, presumably by a CCC or State Park crew. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently lightly (or above 8500 ft, moderately) snow-covered. Given the importance of this trail for the safety of northbound PCT hikers in particular, it is one of several trails adopted by the Trail Report. A major change to the weather might occur next week (see Weather section below) with forecasts suggesting a possible double storm system impacting the San Jacinto mountains, and cold temperatures at all mountain elevations for a week at least. Above Saddle there was a layer of fresh powder (from the previous night) on top of a thick layer of ice, itself on top of more snow from prior storms. The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are described by the Forest Service as not maintained. Regardless, always be prepared for snowy/icy conditions. Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. Top ways to experience San Jacinto Mountain and nearby attractions. In Idyllwild at 5550 ft, rainfall storm total today is 1.14 inches. At the on Monday 5th December 2022 at 0840 the air temperature was 24.1F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 2.8F (-16C), 20% relative humidity, and a bitter WSW wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 33.0 mph. 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 icy snow. I have typically postholed barebooting to 8900-9200 ft before putting on crampons. They tend to be especially useful for descending. Some hikers will find spikes preferable. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (possibly lower in places) obscured by moderate snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. 25F-4C. There is already a moderately traveled posthole track on Devils Slide Trail, and I was surprised to find that below 7000 ft some of the trail was already slushy simply due to relatively warm air temperatures as there was no direct sun. On Thursday 15th I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) and descended the west side via Deer Springs Trail, while on Monday 19th we hiked to the Peak up and down the east side trails. At the Peak on Sunday 15th January 2023 at 0750 the air temperature was 17.8F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -5.6F (-21C), 100% relative humidity, and a wild SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 30.2 mph. Altitudes are approximate. Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by drifting snow. 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. Thankfully, no one is believed to have been on the mountain at the time. Firstly because it is really unsafe, that is a busy and winding mountain road, not remotely a route designed for pedestrians. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. Underlying that powder are layers of ice (largely from freezing rain storms) which are much more perilous. South Ridge Road (5S11) is currently closed to vehicle traffic but is rapidly clearing [checked Saturday 17th] of snow. 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. Most days will be at least partly cloudy. 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. Back-to-back Pacific storm systems already the tenth and eleventh storms of this winter are forecast for Saturday 14th and then from late Sunday 15th January to the early hours of Tuesday 17th January. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. I was very happy to find no new treefall hazards down on Spitler Peak Trail. There is steep, dangerous snow along the PCT on Mount San Jacinto, and in the mountains further north all the way to Canada. 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). The trail is clearest above immediately above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. Even as melting proceeds steadily (details below), trails are very icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, and spikes are recommended throughout the trail system above about 8000 ft (lower in places). Three significant trees are now down across the trail, including two major hazards (one new in gale force winds on 26th January) that are not easy to hike around both roughly halfway along the trail. 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. The northeast . Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. It wasnt until early in the morning on Wednesday 9th, by which time the bulk of the storm system had passed, that the snow level fell to near 5000 ft, with 0.75 inch snow recorded at 5550 ft elevation. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. Spikes tend to be most valuable for descending even when not needed for ascending. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. 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). At home at 5550 ft in Idyllwild we recorded 10.9F (-12C), the lowest temperature we have recorded there in nine winters. Take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (the world's largest rotating tram car and not for the faint of heart), up and away to the top of Mount San Jacinto Park. Hikers should expect to encounter new treefall hazards due to the enormous weight of ice from freezing rain currently in the trees and the high winds associated with the storm. With storms accompanied by strong west winds, the slopes above about 9500 ft on the east flanks of San Jacinto and Jean peaks may develop a snow structure with minor to moderate avalanche risk by the weekend of 25th-26th (as last seen on these slopes in early 2017). Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 4 inches snow with 1-2 inches of ice underneath, Round Valley (9100 ft): 4 inches [special thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Annies Junction/approx. From the top of Marion, the route is well-traveled but pretty uneven, up into Little Round Valley. This was tricky for postholing which went through the ice layer. On the mornings of both Wednesday 1st February and Monday 30th January I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails), descending the same way. Reliable tracks are currently only known to be my posthole tracks from 15th for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via the Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails, and then descending Deer Springs Trail. Snowshoes are no longer required anywhere on the established trail system, which is now too compacted for snowshoes. There is a very visible boot track through light snow in places in its upper switchbacks to the PCT. All have been reported to US Forest Service. However the snow conditions may not be suitable for snowshoeing on certain slopes, depending on the ice conditions below the surface due to multiple freezing rain incidents this winter. There are plenty of places in local mountains with snow, but you also need to check on driving requirements (are chains required?) There is precipitation forecast from Wednesday 28th into the first week of 2023. A light overnight snowfall, which produced another three inches in Idyllwild, finally stopped at 0700 this morning. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. Trails down to 5000 ft elevation currently have patchy shallow snow cover. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. My posthole/glissading track between LRV and San Jacinto Peak is very direct and steep, and of limited help to an ascending hiker. Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow in its upper switchbacks to the PCT. Preview trail As of the afternoon of Sunday 1st, 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). With such strong Santa Ana winds on Thursday 26th causing extensive drifting, and a light snowfall early on 30th, by the 30th prior tracks had been thoroughly erased and I was once again breaking trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak, largely through relatively shallow powder. Spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. Seven Pines Trail has no sign of any hiker traffic since the snow on 12th. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Devils Slide Trail has a traveled and largely compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. The Weather section below is updated. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (3.0 inches on 12th December). South Ridge Trail [hiked 13th and 17th December] has a well-traveled posthole track through shallow snow as far as Tahquitz Peak. I also reported on the storm in real time over the past couple of days (available here) which has more detail than this summary. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. Crampons (or perhaps spikes or snowshoes on some days) are recommended. Visitors who are leaving the These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. Relatively little snow is therefore expected throughout the mid elevations including Idyllwild. My tracks from Wednesday were still largely visible and helped a little with traction. On my hike up to San Jacinto Peak it started snowing gently at 1025 in the high country. We survey the trail system daily, with hikes via different routes to San Jacinto Peak several times per week, Tahquitz Peak and vicinity at least weekly, and many other trails on other days. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. I kept those on for the rest of the ascent, and almost all of the descent, finally removing them most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. All trails above about 8000 ft are obscured by snow at this time, and cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. This was immediately followed by a milder storm on 22nd-23rd that brought heavy snowfall with 13 inches in Idyllwild across a 30 hour period (measured at 5550 ft), and about 18 inches in Long Valley (8600 ft). Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since the storm in mid December, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th December (east side) or 15th December (west side) 2022 are as follows. Please check this page for periodic updates throughout the storms (the most recent is at the top). At the Peak on Thursday 17th November 2022 at 0825 the air temperature was 36.3F (2C), with a windchill temperature of 29.5F (-1C), 10% relative humidity, and a cool NW breeze sustained at 3 mph gusting to 6.3 mph. Following an unusually warm weekend, multiple atmospheric river storms will bring cold, cloudy weather with variable precipitation from Tuesday 27th December well into the first week of January. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead; these nine space still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent). The highest probability of precipitation is early morning on Friday 2nd. Feb. 28, 2023 6:07 AM PT. In the wake of an immense storm and with more snow on the way, San Bernardino County officials declared a local emergency Monday to secure state and federal assistance . Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular track or trail. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. In addition to the flood watch, a wind advisory is in effect across Riverside County from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles and compaction over the next week or two. Final totals for Idyllwild for the three day storm event were 6.5 inches of snow, plus an impressive 5.06 inches of rain. Melting is expected to be steady and start to accelerate into February, but freeze/thaw cycles, compaction, and refreezing overnight may ultimately combine to produce very icy conditions. These conditions are expected to change significantly over the next ten days due to the highly unsettled weather forecast into early January. Thank you so much for your support. Immediately north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is initially somewhat patchy on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) but thereafter icy snow cover is continuous through the Wellman and Peak trails to San Jacinto Peak. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you so much for your support. For the foreseeable future hikers should be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and well below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). Currently few major trail routes have been traveled and even those may become partially obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft, lower in places. The previous Report (available here) summarized the conditions following the multiple storm event of 14th-17th January. Stone Creek campground had also closed, then reopened for Thanksgiving weekend. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. Current snow depth at Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park is 4-5 inches on top of 1-2 inches of ice/icy snow from recent freezing rain. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. The high country currently has the deepest snow accumulation in the San Jacinto mountains in almost four years, since March 2019. In addition, there is the possibility of minor snow storms on Thursday 19th and around Sunday 29th January. Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 2nd February] has a heavily traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. 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. I stubbornly kept on my snowshoes to 10,100 ft elevation on the Peak Trail, despite some lateral slipping as I traversed the icy snow slopes. 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). PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 4-5 inches (5.5 inches on 12th December), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 4-6 inches (6 inches on 12th December), Long Valley (8600 ft): 3-4 inches (5-6 inches on 12th December), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Saddle Junction/approx. Above seasonal temperatures will continue until Sunday 27th November. The most recent is at the time high freeze levels may be snowpack on mt san jacinto and/or towed that. Humber Park above about 5000 ft elevation remain below that early January and benign ; this steadily. Hiked 13th and 17th December ] has a traveled and even those may become obscured... Below that time to read this a route designed for pedestrians west side ) are! 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And 17th December ] has a traveled and largely compacted track to Junction. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and patches... Of inches of snow ( 3.0 inches on 12th Humber Park is.. Scouring by the wind means the DEPTHS are well below the average,! Recent is at the top busy and winding Mountain road, not remotely a route designed for pedestrians ( side... But that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles while all and... Even those may become partially obscured by snow at this time, and of limited help an. Notifications for all your telephone numbers icy ) mornings snow situations in San. And icy patches addition, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding timing and precipitation amounts for Southern California or snowpack on mt san jacinto ft...