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. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. Icy snow cover is 60% overall, becoming increasingly patchy below about 7000 ft, and again in the sun-exposed areas above 8000 ft. Spikes are useful, especially for descending. However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. Snowshoes are no longer required anywhere on the established trail system, which is now too compacted for snowshoes. 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. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers may find them useful for descending. Spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct and avoids all of the very challenging bushwhacking of the former trails (local hikers Charles Phelan and Mark Gumprecht kindly nicknamed it the King Trail when I established the route in 2019). 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. The significant Pacific storm of the winter that had been forecast over an extended period between about 16th-21st December is no longer thought likely to impact the San Jacinto mountains, although considerable uncertainty persists in the weather models for that period. WEATHER UPDATE 23rd December: forecasts have been shifting dramatically in recent days. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! This morning Anabel and I broke trail up Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction. However the route is now well-traveled and compacted. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 5-6 inches (was approx. If the Report is useful to you in any way, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Following the twelfth storm system of this winter on 29th-30th January, temperatures have largely swung to well above seasonal, with melting underway at all elevations, but especially below 8000 ft. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying shallow powder. Joyce Schwartz - From Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit Facebook Page. Just a short . Many thanks to Florian Boyd for bringing this to my attention. 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. 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. 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. The second significant Pacific storm of winter 2022/23 is currently impacting the San Jacinto mountains. In general temperatures are expected to warm to above average into next month at all elevations, especially at the highest elevations in the first week of February. 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. 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. Precipitation has been steady at mid and upper elevations for the past few hours. These conditions are expected to change significantly over the next ten days due to the highly unsettled weather forecast into early January. Mammoth Lakes, traditionally one of the snowiest places in California, had nearly 4 feet (1.2 meters) of snow over the past three days. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations. Big Bear Mountain Resort. The Peak Trail has about 90% cover of icy snow to 9900 ft elevation, and then >95% cover to San Jacinto Peak. 24F-4C. Deer Springs Trail [updated 22nd December] has an accurate track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak as I broke trail the entire way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction on 15th December. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): <1 inch (was 3 inches on 9th), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch (was 2.5 inches on 9th), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (was <1 inch on 9th), [UPDATED 24th November: we took a brisk hike up and down Marion Mountain and upper Deer Springs trails to San Jacinto Peak early this morning. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. 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). Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track throughout. Some hikers will find spikes preferable. The storm expected on 28th November failed to materialize, producing only below average temperatures, wind, and spectacular clouds (photos below). Snowshoes can be rented at our Adventure Center. 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. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 11th January 2023 are as follows. Although my original track accurately followed the trail above Little Round Valley, there are now a fair number of alternate shortcut tracks across this slope, so cautious navigation is advised. The freeze level again started very high at >9000 ft, with light rain falling in Long Valley (8600 ft) all morning. There had been an additional six inches of snow (plus an unknown amount of rain) since my measurement two days earlier, for a current total snow depth of about 21 inches at Saddle Junction. On the morning of Friday 6th 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. 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). Mount San Jacinto State Park is all about the San Jacinto Mountains. This facilitated survey of the highest parts of the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains (roughly Miles 179-181 and 185.5-183.5) plus several of its side trails. 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. However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 8000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. The trail is largely clear of snow from Highway 243 to Strawberry Junction, and with about 60% snow cover from there up to 8600 ft. Marion Mountain Trail [updated 22nd December] has a well-defined but lumpy posthole track throughout. Spitler Peak Trail is now functionally clear of snow. 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. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches, and on the quality of your footwear (tread grip, in particular). SNOW DEPTHS measured on 18th January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows. Todays rainfall total has passed an inch in Idyllwild, and various locations in Pine Cove (5800-6500 ft) were reporting 1.1 to 1.3 inches two hours ago. The initial freeze level was at about 9000 ft but has already dropped. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Although excellent tracks are now in place and clearly visible for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. A significant triple storm system had a major impact on 21st-26th February, and those updates are posted below also. Time of day, temperature, and sun exposure all have significant impacts on the nature of the snow, in turn changing the conditions underfoot, and hence both the hiking difficulty and the preferred traction device (if any). However the high country has been largely above this precipitation, with the sun even trying to peek out at times in Long Valley, and only about another inch of snow was added there this morning. The total snow accumulation was ultimately very close to that forecast in the days immediately prior to the storm. 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. Strap on your snowshoes and head into the stillness of the winter forest at the top of the Tram. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers will find them useful for descending. A few cleared patches are developing below 7000 ft. Note that there are about a dozen stream crossings and sections of the trail with water flowing in them, at times for tens of feet. February has been more settled than the very eventful January, but temperatures remain on something of a rollercoaster ride. Rain had started overnight in Idyllwild, ending in late afternoon at a total of 1.26 inches. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. They are not currently recommended for moderate angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying shallow powder. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway cuts about 6,000 feet of climbing off the hike . 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. no traction device) to 9000 ft on a lightly traveled and lumpy posthole track through thin icy snow. This started as low as Devils Slide Trail and continued all morning. 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. WEATHER MOUNT DIABLO SAN FRANCISCO SNOW SKIING RAIN TRAFFIC. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Spikes were not required even for descending on 14th. Snowshoes will remain valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000 ft for the foreseeable future. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Locations in Pine Cove up to 6500 ft were reporting 3.1 to 3.8 inches of rain by 0500 today. They tend to be especially valuable for descending trails. Long Valley (8600 ft) has added about two inches, where it continues to snow gently this morning. 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. The highest expected temperature is a subzero 21.2F (-6C), while the lowest temperature will be a freezing 17.6F (-8C). Holden said he could not recall the last time there had been an avalanche on Mount San Jacinto. Indeed it rained as high as San Jacinto Peak multiple times on 7th and 8th November. It leaves the Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction (0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning), descending largely on established deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek just upstream from the old Laws Camp. I put in a posthole track the entire way up, but crampons (with an ice axe) were essential at that time on the upper switchbacks above about 8300 ft due to the typical steeply angled ice obscured underneath 6-12 inches of powder (photos below). At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Tuesday 6th December 2022 at 1530 the air temperature was 19.9F (-7C), with a windchill temperature of 3.8F (-16C), 18% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 13.2 mph. 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). 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). Winter Hiking: Dangerous conditions exist when snow and ice conditions are present. As of this morning, I saw no other broken tracks on the high country trail system. potentially dangerous) windchill temperatures. Altitudes are approximate. Current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness feeling more typical for April or May than late November. 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. The Wellman Trail track was disappearing under spindrift as I re-broke it on Monday 23rd. Snowshoes are dangerous due to the angle of the icy snow. Temperatures during and after both storms are forecast to be below seasonal for late November, colder than the storm system in early November, and windy and hence especially cold in the high country. 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. In general most hikers will likely prefer to use spikes at least for descending down to about 10,000 ft (or lower). Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 23rd and 26th January] has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the shallow icy snow (still >90% snow cover). SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th December (east side) or 15th December (west side) 2022 are as follows. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently snow-covered, and partially snow-covered above 5500 ft. On both days I was able to ascend barebooting to about 8800 ft on 30th and to 9200 ft on 1st, before putting on crampons. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Windy, with a west wind 45 to 55 mph decreasing to 35 . Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0.75 inches (melting rapidly this afternoon). Both storms produced more snow than was generally forecast. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. At home at 5550 ft in Idyllwild we recorded 10.9F (-12C), the lowest temperature we have recorded there in nine winters. Temperatures are forecast to remain near or below seasonal averages for at least the next week, with freezing conditions every night above about 4000 ft elevation. One thing Holden was sure of, however, is that Sundays avalanche appeared to be no joke. Forecasts the expected snowfall amount, snow accumulation, and with snowfall radar. 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. Mt. The remainder of February is currently forecast to continue the cold temperatures of recent days, generally at or below seasonal at all mountain elevations, and to be increasingly unsettled. Alternatively snowshoes could have been used, depending on personal preference and time of day. Most of this snow had melted prior to my hike to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. UPDATE #2 for 10th November 2022: It was disappointing late this morning to see southbound PCT hikers trying to hike down Highway 243 from Idyllwild to Mountain Center. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. Note that generally the maximum depths so far this winter were immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023 (details of those depths available here). Nothing unduly dangerous, but something to be aware of for the next couple of days. 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. A minor heatwave is forecast for 23rd-27th November with temperatures at all elevations expected to warm to well above seasonal. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. Two new trees were down on the upper trail, unsurprising given the huge weight of ice from freezing rain plastered all over the trees. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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. 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