All trails above about 6000 ft are currently lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. Two powerful systems will bring heavy snow and areas of blizzard conditions across southern and interior Alaska. 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. As last week, I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Spikes are not required, but some hikers may find them useful depending on their comfort level hiking on thin icy snow. I put spikes on at the Peak for the descent and ultimately kept on my Kahtoola microspikes until about 9000 ft, one mile north of Saddle Junction. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is largely clear of icy snow, although quite a few patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. With at least two further snowfalls expected in the next few days, and strong winds in the high country expected for the next week causing substantial daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system will remain largely obscured by light to moderate snow until the second week of January. Altitudes are approximate. Long Valley (8600 ft) has received about 1.0 inch fresh snow this morning. Thereafter a cooling trend will take temperatures well below seasonal again including the possibility of minor precipitation on 11th-15th February. The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). Dark Canyon Road (4S02), the access to Seven Pines Trail, and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) also closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. 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). IMPORTANT UPDATE Friday 13th January: back-to-back Pacific storm systems are forecast to impact the San Jacinto mountains this weekend, the first on Saturday 14th, immediately followed by another Sunday 15th-Monday 16th January. 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. Potentially stormy weather forecast for four periods in the past ten days all failed to significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. The freeze level again started very high at >9000 ft, with light rain falling in Long Valley (8600 ft) all morning. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin and patchy icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). I barebooted to 9000 ft, then snowshoed the rest of the way through lovely light powder. We surveyed the PCT where it crosses Highway 74 (approx. Spikes are not required. Along . Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has an ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Temperatures will be near or generally below seasonal for the next ten days at least. 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. 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. Altitudes are approximate. 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). 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. As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. 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. All have been reported to US Forest Service. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 8 inches (8-9 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4 inches (total 4 inches). This will continue to be the case for at least a week, given fresh snowfall expected. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has no steps to follow through the steeply angled ice with overlying deep snow. Altitudes are approximate. Altitudes are approximate. 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). Relatively little snow is therefore expected throughout the mid elevations including Idyllwild. Most of the upper half of the trail had 3-4 inches of lovely fluffy powder. While the snow quantities are forecast to be 1-2 inches at most, they may be much colder systems than have been typical so far this winter, with freeze levels below 5000 ft. Snow levels could reach as low as 1,500 feet Wednesday morning and areas in the San Bernardino Mountains were projected to receive one to two feet. Currently the snow is relatively powdery; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. Through and below Little Round Valley, my track almost entirely follows the established trail. Snowshoes are useful in low to moderate angle terrain with adequate snow depth above about 8000 ft, for example the Tahquitz area meadows near Saddle Junction, sections of Deer Springs Trail, and Long Valley/Round Valley. Although I carried snowshoes it would have been risky to try to use them on the icy traverses. The primary purpose of this update is an advisory of imminent major snow accumulation forecast due to a triple storm sequence. Current forecasts suggest that there may be significant snowfall on Sunday 29th-Monday 30th January at all elevations, but some warming and steady snow melt likely on either side of that date. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. 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. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. Idyllwild received 2.75 inches, and I measured five inches at San Jacinto Peak on my hike through the storm this morning, with 3-4 inches at locations in between. 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. 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. The highest expected temperature is a subzero 21.2F (-6C), while the lowest temperature will be a freezing 17.6F (-8C). Devils Slide Trail has a well traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Spitler Peak Trail (last surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. Spikes are expected to remain extremely useful over the next few weeks given the unpredictable weather. 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. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. 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). 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. 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. Light or moderate rain is currently forecast daily at mid elevations (possibly totaling one inch in Idyllwild), with an uncertain possibility of light snow in the high country (<3 inches above 10,000 ft elevation). A few minor patches exist close to the top. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 8000 ft moderately, snow-covered. Some winters are better than others, with wet years producing several feet of snow in the high country, while dry years producing a dusting or two. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for mid to upper elevations (at least >6000 ft) for the foreseeable future. To see more years, view this page on a wider screen. 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. A significant triple storm system had a major impact on 21st-26th February, and those updates are posted below also. Note that tracks discussed are obscured quickly by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. Altitudes are approximate. The storm brought down four new treefall hazards down on upper Spitler Peak Trail, awkward but all passable with care. Snowshoes are no longer required anywhere on the established trail system, where snow is now too shallow, icy and compacted. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Snow, weather, and trail conditions for the San Jacinto mountains. Forecasts suggest a further 2-3 inches are possible tonight. 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. 10,804 ft San Jacinto Peak (often designated Mount San Jacinto, pronounced or ) is a 10,834 ft (3,302 m) peak in the San Jacinto Mountains, in Riverside County, California. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 36-40 inches (winter max depth 45-48 inches), drifted >50 inches in places, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 38 inches (45 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches (48 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 20 inches (24 inches), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 18 inches (22 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-3 inches, partly melted by afternoon of 6th (6 inches), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): <1.0 inch, largely melted by afternoon of 6th (4 inches). Due to the very high freeze level snowfall was restricted to a light dusting above 8200 ft, increasing to one inch above 9000 ft and 1.5 inch above 10,000 ft. Impacts will be minimal on high country trails, but trails between 7000-9000 ft with pre-existing snow may be a mix of slush, snow and ice, and will require some caution. Snowshoes are useful in lower angle terrain with adequate snow depth above about 8000 ft, for example the Tahquitz area meadows near Saddle Junction, sections of Deer Springs Trail, and Long Valley/Round Valley. Prior to that Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) had received 1.04 inches of rain, with a little hail and sleet mixed in. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 0-1 inch (was 3 inches on 9th November), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch (was 2.5 inches on 9th November), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (was <1 inch on 9th November). 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. Mountain rescue president says avalanches are rare on mountain. 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). Alternatively snowshoes could have been used, depending on personal preference and time of day. 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. In general conditions in the remainder of January will be much more settled than for the first half of the month. Mount San Jacinto State Park is all about the San Jacinto Mountains. Such warm conditions will soon be a distant memory. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 0-1 inch, photo below (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 1-2 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 0-1 inch [measured 26th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 0 inch [measured 26th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): <1 inch (was 2-3 inches on 9th), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0 inch (was approx. Since the depths given in the previous Report, there has been some melting at higher elevations which have been above the cloud at times, and below 7000 ft where temperatures have remained above freezing for several days. 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. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Tuesday 27th December 2022 at 0850 the air temperature was 31.2F (-1C), with a windchill temperature of 15.1F (-9C), 31% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 17 mph gusting to 26.1 mph. South Ridge Road remains closed now with only about 35% icy snow cover. 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. Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (possibly lower in places) obscured by moderate snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. Those systems are summarized here: Conditions will remain very unsettled throughout the second and third weeks of January. Both trails were virtually completely clear of snow. February is forecast to be somewhat more settled than the very eventful January. 10 inches on 9th), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-1 inch (was 4 inches on 9th), Annies Junction/approx. 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. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. With the light dusting of fresh powder overnight, accompanied by strong winds causing extensive drifting, prior tracks had been partially obscured everywhere and almost completely erased above 8900 ft so I was again breaking trail in the high country. On 22nd for example I wore spikes down to about 7500 ft on Marion Mountain Trail, while on 27th I wore spikes down the Peak and Wellman trails and PCT down to 9000 ft. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 39-44 inches (new snow 8 inches), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 44-48 inches, heavily drifted, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 42 inches (6 inches), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 35 inches (6 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 46 inches (5 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 22 inches (4 inches), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 16 inches (5 inches), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 22 inches (6 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3-6 inches (6 inches, partly melted by afternoon of 15th), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 2 inches (5 inches, largely melted by afternoon of 15th). SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th-20th February (east and south side locations) and 15th February 2023 (west side) are as follows. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. 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. The first storm overnight on Monday 28th may produce snow above 10,000 ft (forecasts have ranged from 0-16 inches), and very light snow near the elevation of Idyllwild preceded by a little rain. Devils Slide Trail is largely clear of icy snow to about 7400 ft (Middle Spring) although some extended patches remain below that. Altitudes are approximate. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. Many thanks to Florian Boyd for bringing this to my attention. The PCT on the south-facing slope (Angels Glide) for about 1.0 mile north of Saddle Junction is largely clear of snow (spikes not 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 remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country well into February. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 2nd-5th December 2022 are as follows, with depths after the only significant storm of this winter to date (on 9th November) for comparison in parentheses where known. The initial freeze level was at about 9000 ft but has already dropped. 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. Long Valley at 8600 ft on the east slope received only about two inches of fresh snow. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has no steps to follow through the steeply angled icy snow. A major warming trend will significantly change conditions on the trail system in the next week or two. The latest Trail Report (linked here) mentions the increasing avalanche risk with recent heavy wind-loaded snowfall on top of the icy pre-existing snow, and how avalanches occur every winter on the north face (contrary to erroneous information in recent local media stories). 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. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. 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. Snow cover is essentially continuous from Strawberry Junction to San Jacinto Peak, although patches are starting to clear below 8500 ft (south of the top of the Marion Mountain Trail). Above Little Round Valley there are at least half-a-dozen tracks ascending toward San Jacinto Peak, none of which entirely accurately follow the established trail route. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. While they are not strictly required, depending upon your expertise level hiking on shallow variable icy snow, mixed with slush and ice patches (itself depending on time of day and sun exposure), spikes will continue become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails undergo freeze-thaw cycles and become further consolidated by hiker traffic. BEST SELLER. All trails above about 7500 ft are currently remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. In the high country temperatures will be 10-20F above seasonal and, more significantly regarding snow/ice conditions, well above freezing for at least a week. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Thankfully it was relatively straightforward in crampons as the underlying snow was very solid due to freeze/thaw cycles, and the overlying powder was generally shallow. Such unseasonably warm temperatures led to rapid snow melt everywhere, despite the low sun angle at this time of year, while in many areas freeze/thaw cycles have resulted in icy trails and roads especially in the early mornings. The week from 21st-26th December may be among the warmest on record for the year-end holiday period. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 2-3 inches (5.5 inches on 12th December), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 3-4 inches (6 inches on 12th December), Long Valley (8600 ft): 1-2 inches (5-6 inches on 12th December), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0-1 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Saddle Junction/approx. Webcams. Suitable waterproof footwear is strongly recommended. If there are Road Closed signs across Fern Valley Road at its junction with Forest Drive likely the case at least on weekends and holidays when significant snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Forecasts are currently predicting 30-50 inches of snow for the highest peaks of the San Jacinto mountains (>10,000 ft) mainly between 23rd and 25th February, and about 18-30 inches for the Idyllwild area (5000-6000 ft elevations). The traversing slopes above Wellmans Divide (roughly 9800-10,500 ft) were extremely firm early in the morning and potentially treacherous. Both storms were relatively cold, the second in particular dusting snow below 3500 ft elevation. 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. Super Rare Avalanche on North Face of San Jacinto. Indeed the final third of December may be one of the warmest on record for the holiday period. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket. At the 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. On 2nd, 5th, and 6th we barebooted to San Jacinto Peak on well-traveled and compacted tracks through increasingly patchy light icy snow. 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. Storm systems forecast for 21st-24th and 28th February are all predicted to include severe windchill temperatures near or below -20F (-29C). My posthole/glissading track between LRV and San Jacinto Peak is very direct and steep, and of limited help to an ascending hiker. 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 November). Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since February 2019. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Trails remain icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, and spikes are useful throughout the trail system above about 9000 ft (lower in places). Thank you so much for your support. 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. Very cautious navigation is advised throughout the area. Although the flakes are small, it has been steadily accumulating at an inch per hour, with about six inches fresh powder so far today, for a Peak area total of about 30 inches. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. At the Peak on Thursday 8th December 2022 at 0900 the air temperature was 28.4F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 12.7F (-11C), 11% relative humidity, and a fresh SW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 9.3 mph. WEATHER UPDATE Thursday 26th January 2023: Wild Santa Ana (north-east) winds today in the San Jacinto mountains have included gusts of 69 and 73 mph early this morning at automated stations at each end of Bonita Vista Road. Storm in early November 2022 required, depending upon your comfort level hiking thin. Risky to try to use this equipment, are required currently remain lightly ( or otherwise ) of hiking particular. See more years, view this page on a wider screen hikers will find them depending. And those updates are posted below also 2023 ( west side ) are follows. After storms in the remainder of January is rarely indicative of the warmest on record for the holiday period continue... 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With only about two inches of fresh snow this morning for four periods in the past ten at... Temperature will be much more settled than the very eventful January, are required the month slopes due the! Sometimes in days or even hours snowfall expected Peak on well-traveled and compacted to Florian Boyd bringing! Msjc1 ) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft received 1.04 inches of fresh snow brought down four treefall! Half of the Trail system in the remainder of January will be near or below -20F -29C. In early November 2022 hikers will find them useful depending on personal preference and time day... That Idyllwild ( at 5550 ft ) had received 1.04 inches of lovely fluffy powder from. Where it crosses Highway 74 ( approx and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, required!