It continued to drizzle in Idyllwild all day, slowly accumulating to about 0.25 inch of rain. Spikes are not required. 2nd-3rd December). They are now invaluable on heavily traveled, compacted, icy tracks (before they clear of snow in the coming weeks) such as Devils Slide, Ernie Maxwell, and Deer Springs trails, at least, especially mornings when conditions tend to be most icy, and for descending. 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. 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). Mount Baldy Ski Lifts. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. 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. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. You will encounter 35 to 45 degree snow slopes, with the angle increasing as you get near the top. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 12th November 2022 are as follows (measured on 15th for Deer Springs Trail locations). However they are not required, depending on your comfort level with postholing in drifted snow of moderate depth. A photo of an avalanche taken by Joyce Schwartz Sunday and later shared by the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit showed snow cascading down the north face of the mountains, sending multiple plumes into the air. A significant triple storm system had a major impact on 21st-26th February, and those updates are posted below also. By 1st February there was a somewhat meandering snowshoe track from Round Valley (and presumably Long Valley) up to San Jacinto Peak, ultimately using the East Ridge route from near Miller Peak, that generally followed lower angle terrain and avoided the traversing slopes of the Peak Trail. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. 24F-4C . Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Snowfall in Long Valley (8600 ft) has been steady until largely stopping by 1600, with close to 10 inches added since yesterday for a total accumulation there of nearly three feet. Use this relief map to navigate to mountain peaks in the area of Mount San Jacinto 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). Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak (multiple photos below). Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. Some general comments on snow/ice conditions. There I generally put on Kahtoola microspikes for the descent. 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. 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. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 40-45 inches [2 inches] (45-48 inches), drifted >50 inches in places, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 45 inches, heavily drifted, measured 23rd January, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 40 inches [2 inches] (45 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches [4 inches] (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, measured 23rd January, Long Valley (8600 ft): 22 inches [2 inches] (24 inches), Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8100 ft): 15 inches, measured 23rd January, Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 22 inches [5 inches] (22 inches), Suicide Rock Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (6950 ft): 3 inches, measured 23rd January, Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4-5 inches [4 inches] (6 inches) already melting afternoon of 30th, Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-2 inches [3.5 inches] (3-4 inches) rapidly melting afternoon of 30th. In total,. South Ridge Trail is now functionally clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak with only 1-2% icy snow cover overall. Often spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. Feb. 28, 2023 6:07 AM PT. Two powerful systems will bring heavy snow and areas of blizzard conditions across southern and interior Alaska. 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. Remarkably Tropical Storm Kay did not add any new treefall hazards to this trail. Although I carried snowshoes it would have been risky to try to use them on the icy traverses. Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. Spikes will not be required by most hikers, depending upon comfort level hiking on patchy angled icy snow. Combined with a weakening sun at this time of year, snow melt will generally be slow at upper elevations, and conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails. 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. Consequently the trail conditions and snow depths reported herein will change dramatically over the next few days. Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 2nd February] has a heavily traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. PCT Mile 151) this morning, and recorded a short video available here on YouTube. At this time there is no further significant precipitation forecast prior to mid February. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 5000 ft, potentially lower in places. Tracks of myself and a couple of others from recent days were largely visible up Devils Slide Trail, and I barebooted to Saddle Junction through thin powder overlying ice. 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. On 14th I barebooted (i.e. 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. Many locations below 9000 ft had actually experienced a net loss of snow depth, as the (relatively) warm rain had melted and compacted the pre-existing snow, and so little new snow fell subsequently. I snowshoed the rest of the way to San Jacinto Peak through lovely light powder. In the days since the storm, we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. 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. Measurements taken on Monday 30th were unchanged by Wednesday 1st. Climbed Mt San Jacinto from Idyllwild. 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. The storm sequence starts with a minor storm on the night of Tuesday 21st, which may only produce 2-3 inches of snow at all elevations, but accompanied by high winds and bitterly cold temperatures. There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. 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. All trails above about 5500 ft are largely snow-covered (wholly snow-covered above about 7000 ft). Although not required, some hikers will find spikes useful especially for descending. Current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness feeling more typical for April or May than late November. There were no visible hiker tracks on Marion Mountain, Seven Pines, or Fuller Ridge trails, as of 15th February. All trails above about 8000 ft are obscured by snow at this time, and cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. A classic La Nina pattern cool but relatively dry is in place for the third winter in a row. Firm and fast hard packed ice before 11am. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through light icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. There was thin patchy snow at the trailhead (4900 ft) and then it was largely continuous above 5800 ft. 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. 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). 10 inches on 9th), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 1-2 inches (was 4 inches on 9th), Annies Junction/approx. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. 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. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. Nevertheless Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the relatively wide, bare, and obvious routes of, for example, Devils Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 6500 ft. Conditions immediately following last weeks snow storm, the second significant Pacific system of winter 2022/23, that impacted the San Jacinto mountains on 11th-12th December were summarized in the previous Report (available here). 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). On Monday 13th I also postholed the entire hike, as I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. Up to one inch of rain is forecast at mid elevations, but with only a couple of inches of snow likely around the highest peaks as the high country may be above the cloud for some of the storm. 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. All trails above about 7500 ft are currently remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled and level track to follow through the slowly melting inch of patchy icy snow (photo below from 30th). 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. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. 32mi . Early on Wednesday 18th January I barebooted up Devils Slide Trail (which I had broken to Saddle the previous morning). 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. Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. If there are Road Closed signs further down at the junction with Forest Drive sometimes the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Additional moderate snowfall is tentatively forecast for 28th February-1st March. 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. It is starting to turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. 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. 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. Holden said he could not recall the last time there had been an avalanche on Mount San Jacinto. Snow cover is about 60% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter >90% to San Jacinto Peak. Currently spikes at a minimum, and ideally crampons, with an ice axe (and knowledge of how to use it), are strongly recommended. My track largely follows the established trail routes, with some modifications for the conditions. Similarly, Long Valley (8600ft) added about two inches overnight for a storm total of about seven inches and a current total depth of about 15 inches. 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. 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. I switched to crampons and then finished breaking the Peak Trail through to near Miller Peak (photo below). A very mild system with rain to 9000 ft elevation (and consequently very icy conditions), and one inch of fresh snow above about 9000 ft elevation, increasing to 1.5 inch above 10,000 ft. Strong winds expected on 11th-12th, and again on 14th, will likely obscure many tracks. 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). I measured an average of about four inches of snow at Old Lookout Flat, although with some deeper drifts in the trail. These concerns may steadily increase over the next few weeks with (eventually) temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will likely remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country into February. Cautious navigation remains required for those who do not have significant experience of hiking this trail. Compacted trails such as Devils Slide, Deer Springs, Marion Mountain, South Ridge are extremely icy between 7400-8900 ft due to the rain yesterday which has now frozen. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for most of the major trails (details below). Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, possibly lower in places. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. Both of these storms are expected to be relatively mild at first with rain a possibility up to 9000 ft before freeze levels drop down to 6000 ft. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. 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). Conditions are forecast to remain very unsettled for the first week of January. 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. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. The Trail Report has adopted Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work as the trail has had a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues in the past decade. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Sunday 19th February 2023 at 1015 the air temperature was 19.6F (-7C), with a windchill temperature of 4.1F (-16C), 44% relative humidity, and a moderate SSE wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14 mph. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft, lower in places. 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). Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, potentially lower in places. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. A winter storm will continue to move through California today then into the Four Corners on Sunday bringing significant mountain snow, strong winds with blizzard conditions, lower elevation snow where snow is unusual, and well below normal temperatures. 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. IMPORTANT UPDATE Thursday 26th January 2023: The State Park has announced that Skyline Trail is closed with immediate effect due to hazardous conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). My tracks from Wednesday were still largely visible and helped a little with traction. 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. Hikers should expect to encounter new treefall hazards due to the enormous weight of ice from freezing rain associated with the early November storm, followed by recent Santa Ana winds, and after the passage of Tropical Storm Kay in September. In Idyllwild both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of late March or even April than of late December. Alternatively snowshoes could have been used for much of the hike. Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. UPDATE Sunday 1st January 2023: A moderate overnight storm produced 1.53 inches of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550ft). Sadly it is looking increasingly likely that neither storm will significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. "The biggest issue with the snow levels is the . Temperatures on the morning of 15th were the lowest of this winter, and among the lowest of the past decade. A rapidly warming montane climate, with changes especially striking at high elevation, is exacerbating all of these issues. Melting of snow on sun-exposed slopes and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. At the Peak 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. By using snowshoes, crampons, or even just microspikes, we were able to hike Mount San Jacinto's summit every month of the year. 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). Altitudes are approximate. While fresh snow may be optimum for snowshoeing for the next couple of weeks, snow at all elevations will become increasingly firm and icy following multiple freeze-thaw cycles, and compaction by increasing hiker traffic in places, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of having both appropriate equipment and the right skill set for the terrain. On the north side, a location just south-east of Banning in San Gorgonio Pass recorded a gust of 92 mph. 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). 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). 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. Forecasts for snowfall have varied greatly in both timing and volume, the latter ranging from inches to feet. That said, the cumulative effect of multiple systems is helpful to our moisture situation, and Tuesday 10th January saw the sixth storm in just over two weeks in the San Jacinto mountains (a timeline of the recent sequence of storms is available here in the previous Report). The forecast for the last ten days of December differs radically from what was predicted just a week ago, and a major warming trend is expected rather than another cold Pacific storm. 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. As discussed above, additional light snowfall on 3rd and 5th January will further complicate the trail conditions. Relatively mild temperatures combined with a weakening sun at this time of year means that snow melt may be slow at upper elevations, and conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails everywhere above 6000 ft. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 14th November 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 33.3F (1C), with a windchill temperature of 20.7F (-6C), 25% relative humidity, and a cool NW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 12.9 mph. In addition, there is the possibility of minor snow storms on Thursday 19th and around Sunday 29th January. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin, and the State Park campground at Stone Creek, are closed for the season. 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. (For readers who are unclear, Skyline Trail forms the lower two-thirds of the Cactus-to-Clouds [C2C] route.) Humidity: 89%: Wind Speed: S 14 MPH: Barometer: NA: Dewpoint: 21F (-6C) Visibility: NA: Wind Chill: . All have been reported to US Forest Service. Trails remain very icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, so spikes are recommended throughout the trail system above about 8000 ft (lower in places). Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route, as discussed below. Many hikers will nevertheless find spikes useful in places, especially for descending. I recorded a short video at the Peak, available here on YouTube. 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. About 6000 ft, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches required for those who do not have significant of. Tracks on Marion Mountain, Seven Pines, or Fuller Ridge trails as. Volume, the latter ranging from inches to feet Notch ) heavy snow and areas of blizzard conditions across and... The trail system above about 6500 ft snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide has about %. Had a major impact on 21st-26th February, and independent from agencies a classic La Nina pattern but. Add any new treefall hazards to this trail necessarily needed for ascending ranging from inches to feet Peak! Devils Slide trail ( which I had broken to Saddle the previous morning ) for or! 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