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. However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as snow depths increase over the coming days; they may initially be useful as low as 4000 ft, steadily rising to 5000-6000 ft next week. A short video summary of what we found is available here. Above Little Round Valley there are multiple tracks through the snow ascending toward San Jacinto Peak, none of which entirely accurately follow the established trail. The rainfall totals at mid elevations were unremarkable, especially compared to those of the storm in early November (discussed here). connected to the .gov website. On 24th the road had about 30% patchy ice cover. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. Started by: MikeH. Nice postcard view of Dry Lake covered in untouched snow. South Ridge Road itself is now functionally clear of ice and snow. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Current Trail Conditions. Spikes will not be required by most hikers, depending upon comfort level hiking on patchy angled icy snow. 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. 3407 Calle Sin Rival, San Clemente, CA 92673 | Redfin Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. We have had an excellent start to 2023 regarding the water and snow situations in the San Jacinto mountains. That is expected to change, with up to several inches of snow forecast both in the high country and at mid elevations tonight. Spikes are strongly recommended as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. Portable gas stoves are allowed with a valid. However the route is now well-traveled and compacted. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Just no way this is accurate. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Multiple mild storm systems are forecast to bring extremely unsettled weather to the San Jacinto mountains starting Tuesday 27th December, lasting well into the first week of January. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Forecasts suggest a further 2-3 inches are possible tonight. 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. 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 freeze level again started very high at >9000 ft, with light rain falling in Long Valley (8600 ft) all morning. 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). San Bernadino Peak Trail Conditions. Broadly speaking it is clear that snowfall has become much more variable in the past decade, ranging from extremely dry (<10 inches) to, obviously, very snowy. 40789 Oregon Trail, Cherry Valley, CA 92223 - MLS EV23025164 - Coldwell Forecasts indicate we will get a few more inches of snow overnight on 2nd-3rd January, and again on Thursday 5th January. Many thanks to Florian Boyd for bringing this to my attention. On my ascent I put crampons on at Wellmans Cienega (9300 ft) and they were more-or-less essential for traversing the icy slopes of the Peak Trail. 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. Unusually for me, I followed the entire route of the established trail down to Little Round Valley. Camping Shade Solitude Views / Vista. For closure information, please visit . 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. Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. Fresh snowfall, melting, and freeze/thaw cycles will all combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain over the next week or two. And as a reminder, self-issue permits are only good for that day. South Fork camps such as Dry and Dollar Lakes are also filling several weeks in advance.If you want to hike during the week, you have a better chance of getting a permit.Self-issue permits aren't always available - they oftentimes run out, or get stolen. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. (800) 735-2922 (TDD/TTY), Offices may be closed on select federal holidays, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=74247&actid=51. My 2022 survey counted 97 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. Thank you so much for your support. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3846020. San Gorgonio Wilderness-California. Transporting firewood can move these pests to new locations. 5; 12; 2 months, 4 weeks ago. The high country was above the weather most of the night, and added an inch of fresh snow at most, however there were 2.25 inches in Idyllwild, and also roughly the same fresh snow depth at Humber Park and Saddle Junction. As evident in the video, spikes are currently needed at least, and snowshoes would be ideal especially for sections that have not yet been traveled. Treacherous ice is the common denominator in three of the four deaths, and the disappearances of Kumm and Barbour, said Sgt. Give yourself plenty of time if taking this route as the snow adds much effort. Per "Tarol" 6-21-2011 Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Black Mountain Road closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 (see Forest Service website regarding this closure here). All Rights Reserved. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. The wilderness encompasses an incredible transition between desert, and mountain environments, including an enormous variety of thriving plant and animal species, in addition to bear, deer, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Early on Monday 23rd January I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) that I had broken last Wednesday 18th, and descended the west side via (more-or-less) Deer Springs Trail. As mentioned above, the focus is on heavy snowfall expected over the next 5-6 days (and potentially again on 28th February-1st March). Thank you so much for your support. They will be especially valuable on well-consolidated tracks over the coming 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. Thank you so much for your support. 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. It's 7.8 miles (Gary Suttle's book lists it as 8.4 miles) with almost 5,500 feet in elevation gain. 7. 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. PCTA is aware of the situation, and is hoping to start addressing it soon (weather permitting). San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 22-24 inches (includes 6 inches added on 5th January), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 15 inches (5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 17 inches (5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (2 inches on 5th), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 10 inches (2 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3-5 inches (1 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 5th). 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. In general most hikers will likely prefer to use spikes at least for descending down to about 10,000 ft (or lower). Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. While expected to be relatively mild at first with rain above 9000 ft, overall this next sequence of storms may prove to be colder than most of the recent systems. Rainfall may continue at mid elevations potentially for several consecutive days, and the relative warmth of the air masses may produce rain and/or freezing rain as high as San Jacinto Peak, challenging layers of icy or mixed snow/ice conditions at all elevations, and perhaps melting of much preexisting snow below about 8000 ft. Current forecasts for precipitation suggest as much as three inches of rain around the elevation of Idyllwild (5000-6000 ft) between the afternoon of Tuesday 27th December 2022 and Wednesday 4th January 2023. 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. It's a beautiful hike through pines, cedars . Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. UPDATE Sunday 12th February: back-to-back minor snow storms are forecast for this evening and all day Tuesday 14th. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak [checked 20th January] has no steps to follow through the steeply angled ice with overlying deep snow. Rainfall in Idyllwild (at 5550ft) has also maintained a steady pace, with close to 0.7 inch so far today. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers will find them useful at least for descending the uppermost section. Mike, You might want to use this one instead Crampons are recommended for the traversing slopes. The high winds forecast did not materialize, although gusts up to 35 mph have been enough to cause very heavy drifting. Be aware of your surroundings trails look different in the snow and are sometimes are hard to find. I postholed barebooting to 8900 ft before putting on crampons. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park remains open and the parking area has been largely plowed. Overall, melting is proceeding somewhat faster than expected but this holiday weekend trails will remain very icy. Four hikers have been found dead in three weeks, none of them novices. "Everything he has done indicates he was not an experienced hiker. Ernie Maxwell Trail has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the continuous snow cover a few inches deep. Lamentably this latest storm was again very mild, with rain falling as high as the elevation of San Jacinto Peak see photos below all morning on Tuesday 10th, until finally turning to light snow in the early afternoon (at about 1330 in Long Valley). Snow cover is only 50% below 6700 ft, about 95% up to 7200 ft, and continuous thereafter. Also, they don't necessarily share the same parent. I agree. Type of Hike Day hike. Final totals for Idyllwild for the three day storm event were 6.5 inches of snow, plus an impressive 5.06 inches of rain. 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). As discussed above, additional snowfall expected on 10th and 14th-16th January will further complicate the trail conditions. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. It has been a grim winter for search-and-rescue teams. San Bernardino National Forest including the San Jacinto Ranger District is closed until at least 16 March 2023. South Fork via Dry Lake 11.34 miles, 4,622' gain This will change later this week. Although I carried snowshoes it would have been risky to try to use them on the icy traverses. 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. The PCT throughout the San Jacinto mountains (roughly Miles 207-151) has a clear track to follow, including Fuller Ridge Trail, which has been traversed by a handful of sobo PCT hikers. The highest peaks appeared to add slightly less snow than some lower locations, probably because they were above the cloud for some of the precipitation events. There is 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. The main track is clearest just above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. These storms are currently forecast to each produce at least ten inches of snow at the highest elevations and an inch or more of rain at mid elevations (e.g., in Idyllwild). Although most of the downed trees reported this summer were cleared in July, four more major trees came down in Tropical Storm Kay in September. At 11,499 feet, San Gorgonio Mountain is the highest peak in California south of the Sierra. On the south east side of the 15. Were so happy to be back! 0:04. 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. An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. Hi Tyler, welcome to SoCalHiker.net! Most days will be at least partly cloudy. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. Azalea Drive, the access road to Marion Mountain trailhead, has not been fully plowed (surveyed Tuesday 14th). PM me if you are interested. 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. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak [checked 9th January] has no steps to follow through the steeply angled icy snow. I snowshoed down from San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, Saddle Junction, and Devils Slide Trail. All water crossings easy for anyone. Altitudes are approximate. They tend to be especially useful for descending trails. Days are short and nights are very cold. Dutch Flat, at about 5600 ft elevation between Idyllwild and Pine Cove, recorded 0.86 inch of rain by 1300. While these are expected to bring significant precipitation throughout the state, there remains considerable uncertainty regarding timing and precipitation amounts for Southern California. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. "US Forest Service officials re-opened portions of the area closed during the Lake Fire today. Get ready to get WILD because Girl Scout Day at the Erie Zoo is almost here! Although the high country currently has its deepest snow accumulation in almost four years, since March 2019, this winter nevertheless remains well below the average for snowfall in the San Jacinto mountains to late January. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and it is already clear that 2023 will be no exception. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Four Hikers On The Summit Of San Gorgonio Mountain 1900-1915 Cali - Old Photo at the best online prices at eBay! Conditions are forecast to remain very unsettled for the first week of January. A significant warming trend is expected for later this week and next weekend at all elevations, with significant melting likely, before cooling slightly Monday 6th February but remaining slightly above seasonal. The open section of trail below 5800 ft is clear of snow. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. 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. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and clearly 2023 will be no exception. 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. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (no snow, 1.26 inches rain on 10th). Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. On the morning of Wednesday 15th February I ascended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes), descending the western side via roughly Deer Springs Trail. Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. Easily the most popular San Gorgonio hike route, the Vivian Creek Trail is an iconic adventure up to the highest point in SoCal, at 11,503 feet. It is especially obscure 0.1-0.3 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious near Caramba. An official website of the Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. This is expected to be a seasonal closure until next year. All trails above about 7500 ft remain lightly snow-covered. A second forecast storm system may bring some light precipitation to the San Jacinto mountains on 2nd December, and possibly again on 4th-5th. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds and light powder there is extreme drifting. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail has a well-traveled track to follow throughout its length, snow cover is about 80%. 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.