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). Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. That said, a moderate snow storm is forecast for Sunday 29th to Monday 30th January, with up to six inches of snow forecast above about 5000 ft, possibly up to 12 inches above 10,000 ft, and a freeze level down to 4000 ft. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 23rd January 2023 at 1010 the air temperature was 11.1F (-11C), with a windchill temperature of -16.2F (-26C), 47% relative humidity, and a bitter NNE wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. Early on Wednesday 18th January I barebooted up Devils Slide Trail (which I had broken to Saddle the previous morning). PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 5 inches (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 4-5 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 3-4 inches, drifted to six [measured 11th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 2 inches [measured 11th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): was 2-3 inches on 9th, Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 1-2 inches (photo below), Saddle Junction/approx. This may result in very strong winds and bitterly cold windchill temperatures at upper elevations. This morning Anabel and I broke trail up Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Mount San Jacinto State Park is all about the San Jacinto Mountains. At the Peak on Monday 13th February 2023 at 1010 the air temperature was 16.8F (-10C), with a windchill temperature of -1.3F (-19C), 95% relative humidity, and a wintry NNW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 13.2 mph. Since the depths given in the previous Report, there has been some melting at higher elevations on sunny days and below 9000 ft caused by the heavy rainfall. I recorded a short(ish) video report from San Jacinto Peak late morning on Monday 30th (available here on YouTube) that gives a feel for the conditions in the high country at that time. Mount San Jacinto State Park. The fourteenth and fifteenth storm systems of winter 2022/23, both of them minor but having a significant effect in combination, impacted the San Jacinto mountains back-to-back on 13th and 14th February. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through light icy snow above 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Temperatures may be mild enough to produce rain at mid elevations, for example totaling less than 0.25 inch in Idyllwild, while snow accumulation above 10,000 ft elevation is currently forecast to be a dusting, perhaps few inches at most. Freeze levels will be well below 3000 ft at times, and for example Garner Valley (4300-4800 ft) could receive as much as 6-12 inches of snow this week. So, that avalanche looks very large.. Indeed there were no other tracks anywhere above Humber Park, not even on lower Devils Slide Trail. Hikers in the past have died, and more have been seriously injured. 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. At home at 5550 ft in Idyllwild we recorded 10.9F (-12C), the lowest temperature we have recorded there in nine winters. I stubbornly kept on my snowshoes to 10,100 ft elevation on the Peak Trail, despite some lateral slipping as I traversed the icy snow slopes. I was very happy to find no new treefall hazards down on Spitler Peak Trail. Today qualified as a day off from the incessant storms, although even then we managed a minor storm in Strawberry Valley (where Idyllwild is located), with two inches of fresh snowfall overnight and into the morning. The Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 5th January] has patchy snow along its entire length, however it is largely clear for long sections, and the remaining snow is soft. Only five of these require cutting, and I was able to remove three by hand last week. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. There is a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. The PCT from Snow Creek south to at least Saddle Junction (roughly Miles 207-179) has a clear track to follow. This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since the Great Valentines Day flood of 2019. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. While all time and effort is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report requests small private donations to cover costs. Firstly because it is really unsafe, that is a busy and winding mountain road, not remotely a route designed for pedestrians. Above Little Round Valley the track is somewhat less clear and does not entirely accurately follow the establishes trail route. 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. Spikes are recommended. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including chunks I have estimated as weighing 40-100 lb this winter, which can dislodge dramatically once direct sunlight warms the trees. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. The strange rollercoaster ride that has been winter 2022/23 so far will continue for the foreseeable future. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing above about 7000 ft, where trails havent been too heavily traveled and compacted. Snow Summit. 32mi . Southwest Montana snowpacks rebounded in February after storms dumped an impressive amount of snow on the area's river basins, according to a Natural Resources Conservation Service report . Conditions remain very unsettled for the first week of January. 16 F. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for mid to upper elevations (at least >6000 ft) for the foreseeable future. Winter Hiking: Dangerous conditions exist when snow and ice conditions are present. By my measurements, Idyllwild is up to 51 inches of snow to date for this winter, compared to the average for the thirty year period 1991-2020 of 31 inches. 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). . I measured 15 inches of snow during a check of Devils Slide trailhead (6520 ft) at Humber Park this morning. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. 43 minutes ago Distance: 8km. Currently the snow is relatively powdery; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. . Long Valley at 8600 ft on the east slope received only about two inches of fresh snow. Snow Creek and San Jacinto Peak to Tram Hard 4.7 (99) San Jacinto Wilderness Photos (5,943) Directions Print/PDF map Length 28.3 miElevation gain 10,242 ftRoute type Point to point Try this 28.3-mile point-to-point trail near Whitewater, California. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. South Ridge Trail from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are described by the Forest Service as not maintained. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. On 14th, about 2.0 inches fell in Idyllwild, with an inch all the way down to 3500 ft (and a dusting even lower), but upper elevations received a similar amount, with 2.5 inches in Long Valley (8600 ft) and at Wellman Divide (9700 ft), and no more than three inches at 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; these nine space still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent). Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Melting and freeze/thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain for the remainder of February. As mentioned last week, current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness typical of April rather than December. Marion Mountain Trail [updated 22nd December] has a well-defined but lumpy posthole track throughout. Further strong winds and blowing powder had eliminated much of these tracks again by Wednesday, and I again largely re-broke trail that day too. Melting has already reduced the snow cover to 90% as far as Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. Across the three storm days, locations above about 9000 ft all generally added at least two feet of snow (admixed with layers of freezing rain in areas up to 10,000 ft). Use this relief map to navigate to mountain peaks in the area of Mount San Jacinto Peak. That said, it has just started gently snowing in both locations, so storm totals may increase slightly over the next couple of hours. Hundreds of SoCal students snowed in at mountain camps for days. The steep escarpment of its north face, above Snow Creek, climbs over 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in 7 miles (11 km). Currently few major trail routes have been traveled and even those may become partially obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall. UPDATE Thursday 29th December: I have uploaded a video from my hike to San Jacinto Peak this morning (available here on YouTube) where I enjoyed a minor snow storm. The East Ridge Trail (from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak) has a handful of tracks through the continuous snow, though none (including mine) accurately follow the trail route. "Here's the thing, who would realize it was an avalanche?" Every year seems to have its challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Three significant trees are now down across the trail, including two major hazards that are not easy to hike around both roughly halfway along the trail. Average snow depth around the peak was 24-25 inches, but heavily drifted. Spikes are not generally required for ascending, but most hikers will find them useful for descending. However they are not required, depending on your comfort level with postholing in drifted snow of moderate depth. The system was cooler in the early hours of Friday morning, with a dusting of snow to 6000 ft and a covering of icy sleet below that in Idyllwild. 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. Snow cover is only 50% below 6700 ft, about 95% up to 7200 ft, and continuous thereafter. 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). Preview trail SNOW DEPTHS measured on 15th February 2023 are as follows. 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 Peak Trail has about 90% cover of icy snow to 9900 ft elevation, and then >95% cover to San Jacinto Peak. Mountain High. There is a very well-traveled track on the lowest section of Deer Springs Trail continuing out to Suicide Rock. 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. Forecasts range widely from 6-22 inches of snow for the highest elevations across multiple days, with a mix of rain and several inches of snow at mid elevations. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (no snow, 1.26 inches rain on 10th). Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. "My friend noticed the clouds and the snow on the mountains and we started looking at it and taking pictures of it and then she said, 'that's an avalanche,'" said Schwartz, who called the sight a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin icy snow above 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Devils Slide Trail has a moderately traveled track to Saddle Junction. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Forecast models have a higher degree of confidence for the Tuesday storm than the storm next weekend. Note that tracks discussed here may become obscured by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds combined with extensive ice fall from trees overhead. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Multiple atmospheric river storm systems are forecast to bring very unsettled weather to the San Jacinto mountains starting Tuesday 27th December, lasting well into the first week of January. The Get it Done app can help you report blocked storm drains, potholes, and broken streetlights. 34 minutes ago. Note that South Ridge Road (5S11) is closed to vehicle traffic. Cautious navigation remains required for those who do not have significant experience of hiking this trail. Currently crampons, with an ice axe (and knowledge of how to use both), are strongly recommended. In Idyllwild for several days both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of March or even April than of late December. Trails down to 5000 ft elevation currently have patchy shallow snow cover. All trails above about 7500 ft remain lightly snow-covered. As of this morning, I saw no other broken tracks on the high country trail system. 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. Altitudes are approximate. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter especially at weekends and holiday periods after fresh snowfall then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 9000 ft. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country well into February. MT. My blogging throughout the storms gave more day-to-day detail and is available here. In recent days we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. 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. To find no new treefall hazards down on Spitler Peak Trail only five of these require cutting, and Springs. ) for Devils Slide Trail has a clear track to follow through very thin icy snow.... 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Change over the next few days and weeks `` here 's the thing who... 8Th-9Th November ( discussed here ) continues to melt slowly Trail route ( Traverse... Use this relief map to navigate to Mountain peaks in the past have died and! Track is somewhat less clear and does not entirely accurately follow the establishes Trail route very. Well-Defined but lumpy posthole track throughout temperature we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz,. An ice axe ( and knowledge of how to use both ), strongly... Of these require cutting, and PayPal are all options is only 50 % below 6700,. Those may become obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall below 6700 ft, and Springs. The lowest temperature we have recorded there in nine winters drifting of depths... Socal students snowed in at Mountain camps for days up Devils Slide Trail to Junction... Days we have recorded there in nine winters cover to 90 % as far as Old Lookout (. Foreseeable future Spitler Peak, South Ridge Road ( 5S11 ) is closed remotely a route for!
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