If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Fresh snowfall in Long Valley is now at about four inches. UPDATE #1 for 10th November 2022: We hiked Spitler Peak Trail to its junction with the PCT this morning. Snowshoes will remain valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000 ft for the foreseeable future. Spikes at least are required, but preferably crampons, both best used with an ice axe, specifically for the uppermost switchbacks, but traction is useful for descending much lower also. However they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9500 ft for the foreseeable future. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 5000 ft, potentially lower in places. On Monday 13th I also postholed the entire hike, as I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. Regardless, always be prepared for snowy/icy conditions. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains 3-8 inches deep in places. The Peak Trail has about 80% cover of icy snow, largely continuous above 9900 ft. Spikes are recommended. Since then Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow on Friday 20th, but the high country was above the cloud and unaffected. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. Along . Through LRV and up to San Jacinto Peak, there are at least three tracks (two posthole, one snowshoe), none of which attempt to follow the trail route, and all are steep and very direct. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. The freeze level is currently at about 7500 ft and it has been periodically snowing gently above that elevation, with Long Valley (8600 ft) having added a few inches overnight, for a current total depth of about 24 inches. While the snow was not especially deep, it still took about double the time of a completely dry ascent. Conditions immediately following the second Pacific storm, and the first significant snowfall, of winter 2022/23 that impacted the San Jacinto mountains on 8th-9th November were summarized in the previous Report. The freeze level will initially be above 10,000 ft, ultimately only falling to about 9000 ft, so many of the main access trails to the high country may get no new snowfall. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin, and the State Park campground at Stone Creek, are closed for the season. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently lightly (or above 8000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. About six inches of snow fell at San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft) decreasing to 0.5 inch in upper Fern Valley (at c.6000 ft). Hikers should expect to encounter new treefall hazards due to the enormous weight of ice from freezing rain currently in the trees and the high winds associated with the storm. Altitudes are approximate. Note that generally the maximum depths so far this winter were immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023 (details of those depths available here). Indeed the final third of December may be one of the warmest on record for the holiday period. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. I measured 15 inches of snow during a check of Devils Slide trailhead (6520 ft) at Humber Park this morning. 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). Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Early on cold mornings, the icy snow is grippy, and I did not find spikes necessary on 5th. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Skyline Trail is now largely clear, but has very limited patchy, thin, icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Most of the PCT through the San Jacinto mountains has little more than 1-4 inches of snow to deal with. San Jacinto State Park boundary (Strawberry Junction, Round Valley, Tamarack Valley or Little Round Valley) contact State Park Headquarters 1-951-659-2607. . 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. 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). Remarkably Tropical Storm Kay did not add any new treefall hazards to this trail. The storm brought down four new treefall hazards down on upper Spitler Peak Trail, awkward but all passable with care. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. The State Park Stone Creek campground is also closed. This is the second heaviest rainfall period in the past decade for Idyllwild (behind the almost unbeatable Great Valentines Day flood event of 2019, when we recorded 7.8 inches in just 20 hours!). Snowshoes can be rented at our Adventure Center. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. Despite warmer temperatures on some days, hikers should be prepared for temperatures near freezing in the high country, and generally below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). 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. Rainfall in Idyllwild (at 5550ft) has also maintained a steady pace, with close to 0.7 inch so far today. On multiple recent ascents of San Jacinto Peak I have generally ascended and descended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes). UPDATE Sunday 12th February: back-to-back minor snow storms are forecast for this evening and all day Tuesday 14th. Altitudes are approximate. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 6 inches, Long Valley (8600 ft): 2-3 inches [special thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Saddle Junction/approx. 51mi . The storm expected on 28th November failed to materialize, producing only below average temperatures, wind, and spectacular clouds (photos below). They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently snow-covered. Although not required, many hikers will find spikes useful especially for descending. As I described above, spikes tend to be much more valuable for descending trails rather than ascending. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 22nd-27th December 2022 are as follows. In recent days we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). The first number is the current total snow depth, followed in parentheses by the storm total for this latest storm 11th-12th December. no traction device) to 9000 ft on a lightly traveled and lumpy posthole track through thin icy snow. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. This will likely continue to be the case for several weeks, given fresh snowfall expected. The highest probability of precipitation is early morning on Friday 2nd. Devils Slide Trail has a very lightly traveled track to Saddle Junction in place. 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. If there are Road Closed signs further down at the junction with Forest Drive sometimes the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also theoretically unavailable for legal parking. Tracks are in place around Skunk Cabbage Meadow, and south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. At the Peak on Wednesday 1st February 2023 at 0935 the air temperature was 16.6F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -8.0F (-22C), 13% relative humidity, and a wild NNE wind sustained at 21 mph gusting to 35.2 mph. Thankfully, no one is believed to have been on the mountain at the time. The strange rollercoaster ride that has been winter 2022/23 so far will continue for the foreseeable future. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through light icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs. With compaction of the trails over the next few days, snowshoes may become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at the highest elevations for the foreseeable future. This may continue for several weeks, or could change given further fresh snowfall forecast. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. 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. Trails remain very icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, so spikes are recommended throughout the trail system above about 8000 ft (lower in places). 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. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. the snowfall predicted in some forecasts. The park's namesake, Mount San Jacinto, rises to 11,000 feet at San Jacinto Peak and offers hikers stunning granite rock faces, subalpine forests, and a lush, fern laden forest floor. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. Final totals for Idyllwild for the three day storm event were 6.5 inches of snow, plus an impressive 5.06 inches of rain. 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. Snowshoes are no longer required anywhere on the established trail system, which is now too compacted for snowshoes. Rain started overnight in Idyllwild, and by late this afternoon (at 1550) totals 1.22 inch. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. For about one mile north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is only a patchy 30% on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) and then averages about 50% on the Wellman Trail, but then icy snow cover is about 95% on the Peak Trail to San Jacinto Peak. Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. 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. Windy, with a west wind 45 to 55 mph decreasing to 35 . In Idyllwild (data from 5550 ft) there was 1.14 inches of rain on Sunday 11th which turned to snow that afternoon, settling to 0.5 inch. Snowfall in the high country has been somewhat below expectations, with nine inches at San Jacinto Peak (for a current total depth of about 16-18 inches), and 5-6 inches in Long Valley (8600ft, total c.6 inches). Lightly cloudy conditions made for a delightful hike on the evening of Monday 21st ascending San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain and Deer Spring trails, descending the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails). High freeze levels may mean rain and/or freezing rain at the highest peaks at times, and icy or mixed snow/ice conditions at all elevations. There are five new major treefall hazards, plus many other limbs and branches, across the trail between the Suicide Rock junction and the Marion Mountain Trail junction. 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). With storms accompanied by strong west winds, the slopes above about 9500 ft on the east flanks of San Jacinto and Jean peaks may develop a snow structure with minor to moderate avalanche risk by the weekend of 25th-26th (as last seen on these slopes in early 2017). Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. The northeast . PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 2 inches (was 3 inches on 9th), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): patchy 0.5-1.0 inch (was 2.5 inches on 9th). Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. Above that elevation, icy snow is almost continuous to Saddle Junction. The number given is the current average total snow depth. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. Temperatures will be near or generally below seasonal for the next ten days at least. All have been reported to US Forest Service. With compaction of the trails over the next few days, snowshoes will become less useful on-trail, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at the highest elevations for the foreseeable future. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. I barebooted to Saddle, and then snowshoed back down to help consolidate the track. They tend to be especially useful for descending trails. For those that are unclear, the Skyline Trail is the first segment of the C2C (Cactus to clouds) from Palm Springs up to Grubbs Notch (Long Valley). Note that tracks discussed here may become obscured by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds combined with extensive ice fall from trees overhead. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. 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). Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow in its upper switchbacks to the PCT. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, and for the entire Deer Springs Trail. After an interesting month of weather, the remainder of January into February is forecast to be somewhat more settled. A key feature of this sequence of storms will be the relative warmth of the air masses which will lead to high freeze levels. Snowshoes are no longer required anywhere on the established trail system, where snow is now too shallow, icy and compacted. There I generally put on Kahtoola microspikes for the descent. Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has an ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, plus an ice axe (and thorough knowledge of how to use it) are currently required for traversing these slopes. I descended via Deer Springs Trail, breaking trail snowshoeing through virgin powder all the way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. Live US weather updates:60 million under winter weather alerts as massive storms roll across US; New York finally gets snow: Live updates. In the wake of an immense storm and with more snow on the way, San Bernardino County officials declared a local emergency Monday to secure state and federal assistance . However the route is now largely well-traveled and compacted. Some north aspects are holding slick ice all day. South Ridge Trail [surveyed 10th Feb] is largely snow free until Old Lookout Flat at 7600 ft (c.15% snow cover). Once it stopped snowing, the mountain was shrouded in thick foggy cloud, such that visibility was as low as 100 feet on the exposed slopes of the Peak Trail. New treefall hazards on several major trails have been reported, and those on Spitler Peak Trail have already been cleared by the Trail Report. 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. Spikes are recommended but not strictly essential depending upon your comfort level hiking on angled icy snow. The trail is clearest above immediately above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. An additional 5.5 inches of snow fell in Idyllwild overnight, rather more than forecast, meaning we had to dig out yet again this morning. At the Peak on Monday 12th December 2022 at 0715 the air temperature was 9.7F (-12C), with a windchill temperature of -13.4F (-25C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 21.2 mph. Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by any additional light snowfall and/or especially by drifting snow from strong winds. Snow cover is about 80% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter essentially continuous to San Jacinto Peak. Consequently cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. But in 2020, two people had to be rescued when they were caught in an avalanche while hiking in Snow Creek Canyon on the north face. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. It wasnt until early in the morning on Wednesday 9th, by which time the bulk of the storm system had passed, that the snow level fell to near 5000 ft, with 0.75 inch snow recorded at 5550 ft elevation. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for mid to upper elevations (at least >6000 ft) for the foreseeable future. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and thorough knowledge of how to use this equipment, are essential. The first storm system comes through overnight on Tuesday 27th, with precipitation continuing into the morning of Wednesday 28th. Nevertheless, snowshoes will be valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000ft for the foreseeable future, and on trail where tracks have not yet been broken.
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