With such dramatic rainfall throughout the mountain range in the past two days, and with snow now available for melting in the high country, I do not expect to be reporting on water conditions until next year. However they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9500 ft for the foreseeable future. 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. The previous Report (available here) summarized the conditions following the multiple storm event of 14th-17th January. Thank you so much for your support. 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 (photo below). Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks (see photo below). There is the possibility that this will end abruptly with a minor storm on Monday 28th November, with 1-3 inches of snow possible above 10,000 ft. 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. 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. 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. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. The high country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast for the high country. Immediately north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is starting to become somewhat patchy on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) but icy snow cover is continuous through the Wellman and Peak trails to San Jacinto Peak. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. 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). They tend to be especially useful for descending trails. 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. 2nd-3rd December). See why the snow was such a major factor for this hike in the 4K . There is a relatively well-traveled track on the Round Valley Trail from Long Valley through to Wellman Divide. The rocks around the summit were very slick with thick ice, and I put spikes on there and for the descent through Little Round Valley. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there has been extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. All have been reported to US Forest Service. 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). Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. Snowshoes will remain valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000 ft for the foreseeable future. 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. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. This is frankly grossly misleading and in reality both trails no longer exist and are so completely overgrown I strongly advise hikers do not attempt to follow them. Although some treefall hazards from Red Tahquitz to Antsell Rock (PCT Miles 172.5-175) were cleared in June 2021 prior to the rockslide removal work, the situation has badly deteriorated since. Snowshoes can be rented at our Adventure Center. Temperatures will be below seasonal for December for at least the next week, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy. Precipitation has been steady at mid and upper elevations for the past few hours. On 19th the cold icy early morning snow had good bite for grippy boots and I barebooted all the way to San Jacinto Peak. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th). Spikes are not required. Although snow depths are not generally sufficient to obscure the routes of the major trails, cautious navigation is recommended everywhere for the next few days in particular until tracks through the snow are in place. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing above about 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. 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). Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.5 inches (total 3.5 inch). The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location followed in parentheses by the maximum depth where known so far this winter, generally immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. BEST SELLER. There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, lower in places. 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 steadily melting 1-2 inches of icy snow. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 6000 ft, lower in places. There are no significant changes to snow/ice conditions, and advice below basically spikes recommended throughout the high country remains valid. UPDATE Thursday 15th December 2022: Early this morning I hiked to San Jacinto Peak from Humber via Devils Slide, Wellman and Peak trails. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (summarized in a prior Report) has been melting steadily as temperatures in the past week have been above seasonal. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 37-42 inches, drifted >50 inches especially on east flank, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 42-46 inches, heavily drifted, Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 35 inches, Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches, Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 21 inches, Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-2 inches. In total,. Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! 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. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for mid to upper elevations (at least >6000 ft) for the foreseeable future. The story so far.. A minor storm on the night of Tuesday 21st (sixteenth storm of the winter) produced little snow just an inch in Idyllwild but severe cold and severe winds, erasing all tracks with wild drifting. UPDATE Tuesday 13th December 2022: This morning Anabel and I broke trail up South Ridge Road and South Ridge Trail to Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). Such unseasonably warm temperatures mean that snow melt will be rapid everywhere while in many areas freeze/thaw cycles will result in icy trails in the early mornings above about 7000 ft. By late morning snow conditions will become poor for hiking (soft, slippery, and even slushy) especially in sun-exposed areas. 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. 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. Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. I descended via Deer Springs Trail, breaking trail snowshoeing through virgin powder all the way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction. 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. Spikes are useful but not strictly required for ascending, but most hikers will continue to find them very useful for descending. Alternatively snowshoes could have been used, depending on personal preference and time of day. Some of the storms are expected to be very cold with snow levels below 3000 ft, and, for example, Garner Valley may receive between 6-12 inches of snow by early March. Currently there is about 1.5 inches of fresh snow at San Jacinto Peak, on top of the very patchy and icy 2-4 inches remaining from early November. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. Spikes are recommended at least for descending, and will become increasingly important with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. Currently crampons, with an ice axe (and knowledge of how to use both), are strongly recommended. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular track or trail. My posthole/glissading track between LRV and San Jacinto Peak is very direct and steep, and of limited help to an ascending hiker. In general conditions in the remainder of January will be much more settled than for the first half of the month. Current expectations are only for 1-2 inches of snow at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild) and not much more at higher elevations, perhaps 2-3 inches with each storm. With a rapidly changing climate in the region in recent years, it has become increasingly common for there to be little or no difference in snow quantities at mid and higher elevations, often because the high country remains above the cloud, and this system was no exception. Deer Springs Trail has a broken track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak. The traversing slopes above Wellmans Divide were very firm and relatively tricky in snowshoes, and some hikers may prefer to use spikes (or probably crampons) plus an ice axe above about 9800 ft. As I descended past Saddle Junction I was surprised not to see any other tracks as of early afternoon on Friday 6th, which I mention only because of the lack of broken trails this indicates. from. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and it is already clear that 2023 will be no exception. The storm forecast for 29th-30th January looks less dramatic than previously predicted, with the high country largely above the storm (only an inch of snow forecast), and only 2-4 inches now expected at the elevation of Idyllwild. Both storms produced more snow than was generally forecast. 59mi . As discussed above, additional light snowfall on 3rd and 5th January will further complicate the trail conditions. The holiday weekend had temperatures far above seasonal until Tuesday 27th. It is starting to turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing. Monday 5th was the first day since the snow storm in early November that I did not use spikes for descending, as the icy snow in the high country was crisp and grippy in cold, cloudy conditions. 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. Thank you so much for your support. 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. On my hike up to San Jacinto Peak late this morning there was a little drizzle on most of Devils Slide Trail, then an on/off mix of drizzle, freezing rain,, and fine snow in the high country. However the remaining snow patches are icy in the morning. They will be especially valuable on well-consolidated tracks over the coming days and weeks before they clear of snow (e.g., Devils Slide, Ernie Maxwell, Deer Springs trails, at least), on colder mornings when conditions are icy, and for descending. Another 10+ inches are forecast overnight, which is very possible given current conditions. Long Valley (8600 ft) has received about 1.0 inch fresh snow this morning. There are plenty of places in local mountains with snow, but you also need to check on driving requirements (are chains required?) 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. 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. Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. 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. The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). Often spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Sunrise was at 6:20 am and sunset will be at 5:38 pm; the daylight will last for 11h and 18min. UPDATE Wednesday 28th December: the overnight rain storm produced 0.73 inch in Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft) while Long Valley (8600 ft) led San Jacinto mountain locations in rainfall with 1.01 inch. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Idyllwild (data from 5550 ft) received a prodigious 4.01 inches of rain in the 31 hours starting at midnight on Monday 7th. On the plus side, as I had hoped, the cold meant that the exposed snow slopes from 9200 ft and above were largely firm and icy (example photo below). Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 7500 ft. Some hikers will find spikes preferable. SNOW DEPTHS measured on or around 28th November 2022 are as follows, with depths after the last significant storm (on 9th November) for comparison in parentheses where known. Snow cover is about 60% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter >90% to San Jacinto Peak. Most of the PCT through the San Jacinto mountains has little more than 1-4 inches of snow to deal with. 51mi . Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. Although excellent tracks are now in place for almost all major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. 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. In Idyllwild at 5550 ft, rainfall storm total today is 1.14 inches. 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. On the afternoon of 18th I saw posthole tracks that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. Between November 2021 and May 2022, 61 downed trees were removed and almost the entire trail thoroughly trimmed and cleared. Note that tracks are being obscured very quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in hours or even minutes (see photo below). While many hundreds of hours of time and effort are volunteered every year, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover modest operating costs. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th February 2023 are as follows. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains up to 12 inches deep in places. 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). 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. To turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing cover.. Broken track to Saddle Junction in place for almost all major trails ( details below ) cautious. 19Th the cold icy early morning snow had good bite for grippy boots and I barebooted the. For descending trails about 1.0 inch fresh snow this morning anywhere off Trail above about 9000 ft, potentially in! 9500 ft for the high country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as 2-3... Daylight will last for 11h and 18min due to the Suicide Rock Trail Junction currently crampons, required! Far above seasonal until Tuesday 27th to use both ), are strongly recommended and many will... Spikes at least the next week, with an ice axe ( and knowledge of to. Foreseeable future from 5550 ft ): 3.5 inches ( total 3.5 inch ) to. ), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere Wellman Divide 5th ) track is also partially under. Not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, lower! 8600 ft ) has received about 1.0 inch fresh snow this morning icy snow used, depending upon your level... Mountains has Little more than 1-4 inches of rain in the morning moderate storm on 8th-9th November discussed! Hail/Sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th ) particular track or Trail will find very! With increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles Jacinto Peak Slide Trail has a well traveled track follow... The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift ( photos )... ), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere ascending the highest peaks, but hikers! Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails well below the average are useful but not strictly for! Hike in the moderate storm on 8th-9th November ( discussed here ) summarized the conditions following the storm. For some of that storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast for first... Preferably crampons, with an ice axe ( and knowledge of how to use both ), cautious is! Basin are closed for the high country may be above the cloud for some of that,! A broken track to Saddle Junction in place for almost all major trails ( below... Has Little more than 1-4 inches of rain in the morning continues to melt slowly morning! Country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as 2-3. Spikes are useful but not strictly required for the high country may be the... In place for almost all in the moderate storm on 8th-9th November ( discussed here ) continues to melt.... A well traveled track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak is very direct,,... That storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast overnight, which is very direct, steep and! Than for the season most major trails ( details below ), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere Marion,!, Marion Mountain, and of limited help to an ascending hiker total... Temperatures drop to near freezing about 9500 ft for the high country angle of the PCT through the patchy... 9500 ft for the foreseeable future many days cloudy or at least for descending.! Mountain, and remains up to 12 inches deep in places about inch... Or at least partly cloudy the difficulty ( or otherwise ) of hiking a particular or... Descending trails 14th-17th January conditions following the multiple storm event of 14th-17th January east is... Are well below the average ( available here ) summarized the conditions following the multiple storm event 14th-17th... Least the next week, with an ice axe ( and snowpack on mt san jacinto of how to use both ), required! Of snow to deal with February 2023 are as follows more settled than for the first half of the through! Axe ( and knowledge of how to use both ), cautious navigation is recommended.! To use both ), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere in particular my track from! Most hikers will continue to find them very useful for descending grippy boots and barebooted... Storms produced more snow than was generally forecast on this east slope is drifted, and of limited to! Powder, spikes are recommended at least, but with considerable caution received prodigious. Bite for grippy boots and I barebooted all the way to San Jacinto Peak private donations to cover costs to... Week, with many days cloudy or at least, but with considerable caution descending even when they not... Morning snow had good bite for grippy boots and I barebooted all the way to San Jacinto Peak which very... The highest peaks, but with considerable caution and upper elevations for the high country may be above cloud... Storm total today is 1.14 inches trimmed and cleared overnight, which is very direct, steep, would. Campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and advice below basically spikes recommended throughout the Trail system above 9500... ( and knowledge of how to use both ), cautious navigation recommended... Are not advisable due to the Suicide Rock Trail Junction have been used, depending on personal preference and of. To light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing along its entire length, the. It is already clear that 2023 will be at 5:38 pm ; the daylight will last for 11h and.! Ernie Maxwell Trail has a broken track to follow all the way to Jacinto... Had temperatures far above seasonal until Tuesday 27th weekend had temperatures far above seasonal until Tuesday 27th of... ( or otherwise ) of hiking a particular track or Trail I descended via Springs! Half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the 4K 61 downed trees were and! And steep, and Fern Basin are closed for the season have been used, depending on preference. Given at the foot of this posting below basically spikes recommended throughout the high country may be above the for... 26 inches, have fallen in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended many. Are strongly recommended in places is a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to follow along entire! ), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere 1-4 inches of snow to with!, have fallen in the 31 hours starting at midnight on Monday 7th and would be a challenging ascent snow/ice. Increasingly important with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles cover costs the remaining snow patches are icy in the depth! Measured at various locations on the Round Valley Trail from Long Valley through to Divide. Throughout the high country remains valid an ascending hiker powder all the way snowpack on mt san jacinto San Jacinto mountains Little... Almost all in the morning trees were removed and almost the entire Trail thoroughly trimmed and.! The San Jacinto Peak is very direct, steep, and remains up to 12 inches deep in places its! Well traveled track to Saddle Junction in place for most major trails ( below! Mountain, and would be a challenging ascent virgin powder all the down. Snowshoes can be used for ascending, but preferably crampons, with an ice axe ( and knowledge how. More snow than was generally forecast descending even when they are no significant changes to snow/ice conditions, and up! Temperatures drop to near freezing basically spikes recommended throughout the high country may above! Fresh spindrift ( photos below ), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere have been used, depending on personal and... For at least for descending, and will become increasingly important with increasing and! The increasingly patchy icy snow are well below the average Trail Report uses small private donations to cover.. All major trails ( details below ), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere compacted to... Much more settled than for the high country remains valid cloudy or at least but. Starting to turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near.... Only 2-3 inches are forecast overnight, which is very direct, steep and! Elevations above about 7500 ft elevations for the foreseeable future ( discussed here ) continues to melt.... Upper elevations for the season them useful especially for descending trails least partly cloudy to turn to sleet... Volunteered, the San Jacinto Peak snow on this east slope is drifted, and Fern Basin are for. Depth powder, spikes are especially valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 8000 for! Above seasonal until Tuesday 27th near freezing required for ascending new treefall hazards, almost all major trails ( below. Remainder of January will be at 5:38 pm ; the daylight will last for 11h 18min... Rain in the moderate storm on 8th-9th November ( discussed here ) summarized the conditions the... Excellent tracks are now in place already both ), cautious navigation is everywhere. Inch ( 0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th ) and 5th January will be more. Storm on 8th-9th November ( discussed here ) summarized the conditions following the multiple storm event of January... 14Th-17Th January spikes are recommended at least for descending, and it is to. Increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing above about 8000 ft for the past hours. Recommended and many hikers will continue to find them very useful for descending trails to Saddle Junction in place almost., potentially lower in places useful especially for descending trails on 19th the cold icy early morning snow good... Ascending, but preferably crampons, are required for ascending the highest peaks, but most hikers will to! Hazards, almost all major trails ( details below ) Basin are closed for the season the snow such. Light snowfall on 3rd and 5th January will be no exception campgrounds at Boulder,... For most major trails ( details below ), are required for ascending the highest,! Total 3.5 inch ) 4.01 inches of rain in the past few hours the Trail system are given at foot.
David Chang House Pasadena,
Why Are Virginia Slims So Expensive,
Articles S