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. It continued to rain heavily overnight at mid elevations everywhere below about 7000 ft. Idyllwild at 5550 ft elevation recorded an impressive 4.01 inches of rain in the 24 hour period up to 0700 this morning. Early on Wednesday 18th January I barebooted up Devils Slide Trail (which I had broken to Saddle the previous morning). Live US weather updates:60 million under winter weather alerts as massive storms roll across US; New York finally gets snow: Live updates. 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. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers will find them useful for descending. Spikes were not required even for descending on 14th. For the foreseeable future hikers should be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and well below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 2-4 inches (was 12 inches on 9th November), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 2-4 inches (was approx. Schwartz said she and a friend were driving west to Palm Springs on Interstate 10 at about 9 a.m. local time when the friend saw the snow start to move. 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. One major treefall hazard is across the trail almost exactly midway between the trailheads at Humber Park and Tahquitz View Drive. 51mi . Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track to follow. A major warming trend will significantly change conditions on the trail system in the next week or two. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): storm total 12 inches (total depth 17-20 inches), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 8 inches (total 9 inches), Annies Junction/approx. It made for one of the easiest trips to . The avalanche was an unusual occurrence on Mount San Jacinto,Riverside Mountain Rescue UnitPresident Eric Holden said. Snow, weather, and trail conditions for the San Jacinto mountains. Further light snow is expected starting this evening, followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March. Crampons (or perhaps spikes or snowshoes on some days) are recommended. When the gate is closed there are still nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). 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. At the Peak on Thursday 22nd December 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 39.9F (4C), with a windchill temperature of 30.4F (-1C), 13% relative humidity, and a light WNW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 13.8 mph. If there are Road Closed signs further down at the junction with Forest Drive as is often the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Altitudes are approximate. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. Marion Mountain Trail (surveyed at least weekly in past month) has a very well-defined track to follow. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Given the importance of this trail for the safety of northbound PCT hikers in particular, it is one of several trails adopted by the Trail Report. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 11th January 2023 are as follows. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 5000 ft, potentially lower in places. Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. Florian Boyd kindly reported this morning that snow has dusted down to 4500 ft on the lower (open) section of Skyline Trail. All trails above about 8000 ft are obscured by snow at this time, and cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. All trails above about 7500 ft are currently remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. On 24th and 28th we barebooted to the Peak on well-traveled and compacted tracks through light icy snow. When the gate is closed there are still nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). As mentioned above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. Webcams. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 30th January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) and checked again on 1st February are as follows. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. 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. Steady heavy snow started in Idyllwild at about 0830 but stopped at about 1400. 2-3 inches on 9th), Saddle Junction/approx. However there was a lot of rime ice starting to melt and fall from trees on upper Spitler (photos below). Consequently the trail conditions and snow depths reported herein will change dramatically over the next few days. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. Above seasonal temperatures will continue until Sunday 27th November. The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. 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 . Although not required, some hikers will find spikes useful especially for descending. It will however be very icy in the early mornings for the next few days at least. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th December (east side) or 15th December (west side) 2022 are as follows. The high country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast for the high country. My tracks from today (Friday 6th January) from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak and back will be largely visible but will be somewhat obscured in places. Currently there is less than three feet of snow at San Jacinto Peak; I suspect it would be 5-8 feet had we had fractionally cooler conditions in the past month. 59mi . While my snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, this may rapidly become obscured by additional light snowfall and/or drifting snow from strong winds. UPDATE Tuesday 10th January: Another minor and relatively warm storm is passing through our mountains today. From Laws east to Caramba the route of the original Caramba Trail has been well-cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with very careful route-finding. Snow. The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). The Get it Done app can help you report blocked storm drains, potholes, and broken streetlights. . In Idyllwild both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of late March or even April than of late December. They are strongly recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, the Wellman Trail, Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, and on both flanks but critically on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. At home at 5550 ft in Idyllwild we recorded 10.9F (-12C), the lowest temperature we have recorded there in nine winters. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Friday 6th January 2023 at 0930 the air temperature was 25.7F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 14.7F (-10C), 44% relative humidity, and a chilly NNW breeze sustained at 5 mph gusting to 10.6 mph. 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. 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. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches, Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 2.5 inches (melting already underway this afternoon). no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. In the week since the last storm we have surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak twice, plus South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Marion Mountain trails, among others. MT. Spikes could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing. she said. Altitudes are approximate. Mount Baldy Ski Lifts. Along . 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. Steady melting of snow, especially on sun-exposed slopes, and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. This is a summary of conditions following the second significant Pacific storm of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. 2nd-3rd December). Minor 0.5 inch dusting of snow above 8000 ft on Thursday 29th (, Moderate storm largely in the early hours of 1st January 2023 was the third significant snowfall of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. "Here's the thing, who would realize it was an avalanche?" 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). Snow cover remains virtually continuous, but a few small patches are clearing below 7000 ft. Spikes are strongly recommended, at least for descending. The intensity of snowfall at San Jacinto Peak this afternoon is the best Ive seen since late 2019. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently lightly (or above 8000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. 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. 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. Mount San Jacinto State Park. The week from 21st-26th December may be among the warmest on record for the year-end holiday period. I recorded a short video at San Jacinto Peak early on the morning of Monday 12th December (available here) which gives a feel for conditions as the storm was nearing its end. To see more years, view this page on a wider screen. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. This is a brief summary of conditions following the second Pacific storm, and the first significant snowfall, of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin and patchy icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). On South Ridge Trail spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks. UPDATE Saturday 17th December 2022: Early this morning we hiked South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak, and I broke trail from Tahquitz Peak to and from Chinquapin Flat through moderate snow. 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). Current forecasts suggest that the moderate storm on 14th-15th January may be cooler than the Tuesday storm, with somewhat more snow at lower elevations. 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. This is followed by steady moderate to heavy snowfall starting in the afternoon of Wednesday 22nd and continuing into the early hours of Sunday 26th February. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th February 2023 are as follows. Above that elevation, icy snow is largely continuous to Saddle Junction. I recorded an overly rambling and partly wind affected video report from San Jacinto Peak late morning on Wednesday 18th, available here on YouTube, but it does give a sense for the conditions underfoot at the highest elevations, and for the spectacular vista that day. Altitudes are approximate. The northeast . 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. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Both storms were relatively cold, the second in particular dusting snow below 3500 ft elevation. Conditions immediately following last weeks snow storm, the second significant Pacific system of winter 2022/23, that impacted the San Jacinto mountains on 11th-12th December were summarized in the previous Report (available here). Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track throughout. 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. My tracks from Wednesday 11th January from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak and down Deer Springs Trail will be largely visible but may be somewhat obscured in places. 10 other mountain peaks closest to Mount San Jacinto Peak: 1. 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. Compacted trails such as Devils Slide, Deer Springs, Marion Mountain, South Ridge are extremely icy between 7400-8900 ft due to the rain yesterday which has now frozen. Precipitation at the elevation of Idyllwild fell largely as rain (1.79 inches) before turning to thunder snow starting at 1235 on Sunday afternoon (currently accumulated to 1.5 inch but still snowing as I write this). All trails above about 5500 ft are currently lightly (or above 8500 ft, moderately) snow-covered. Schwartz, who has lived in more avalanche-prone areas of New York state and Vermont, said Sunday was her first time seeing an avalanche. Indeed a wild wind in the high country that day was erasing tracks within hours or even minutes (see photos below). Thank you so much for your support. I barebooted to Saddle, and then snowshoed back down to help consolidate the track. 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. As I described above, spikes tend to be much more valuable for descending trails rather than ascending. Devils Slide Trail has a well traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. The next comprehensive update to the Report will hopefully be tomorrow evening, Friday 6th. They tend to be especially useful for descending trails. Altitudes are approximate. [UPDATE 1st December 2022: the double storm system that looks likely to bring significant precipitation to northern and central California appears to be missing the San Jacinto mountains, despite optimistic forecasts over the previous week. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. I recorded a short video discussion there (available here on YouTube) which gives a feel for current conditions. Spikes are not required. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. 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. 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). Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). 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). Spikes are recommended. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles and compaction over the next week or two. 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. Conversely on the afternoon of Tuesday 6th the ice was distinctly more watery, and I wore spikes from San Jacinto Peak down to Wellman Divide (9700 ft). 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. 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). Hikers should be prepared for temperatures well 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). However the snow conditions may not be suitable for snowshoeing on certain slopes, as described above. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. South Ridge Road is now clear of ice and snow. The natural traction was superb, and I barebooted all the way to just above Wellman Divide (9700 ft) before finally putting on Kahtoola microspikes, accompanied by an ice axe. 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. Snow started in Idyllwild at about 1015 on Sunday 29th, ultimately accumulating about 3.5 inches (at 5550 ft) by the afternoon of 30th, while San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft) added only two inches of powder. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. 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). However the snow conditions may not be suitable for snowshoeing on certain slopes, depending on the ice conditions below the surface due to multiple freezing rain incidents this winter. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 8 inches (8-9 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4 inches (total 4 inches). Cautious navigation remains required for those who do not have significant experience of hiking this trail. Deer Springs Trail has a posthole track to follow along its entire length. More rain and snow is expected in the San Diego area Monday and forecast to arrive . Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Spikes are recommended, especially for descending, as snow is icy and compacted. With compaction of the trails in the second week of January, snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country for the foreseeable future. Spitler Peak Trail (last surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. Note that South Ridge Road (5S11) is closed to vehicle traffic. Trails above about 7500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft). Two moderate snow storms in the next ten days or so are expected to have a major combined impact on the San Jacinto mountains. Spikes tend to be most valuable for descending even when not needed for ascending. However it is thinning rapidly everywhere, and will look radically different in a week or so. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. This was discussed in, Minor snow storm in the early hours of Tuesday 3rd January 2023 then turned to rain all day. Skyline Trail closed on 26th January due to dangerous weather conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). At the Peak on Saturday 31st December 2022 at 1650 the air temperature was 24.9F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 4.8F (-15C), 62% relative humidity, and a bitter WSW wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 30.1 mph. Conditions are forecast to remain very unsettled for the first week of January. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently snow-covered. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular track or trail. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Although the snow is not particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and steeply angled, and has at least one ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Minor storm overnight on 27th-28th December. South Ridge Trail [updated 24th December] has about 30% icy snow cover from the top of South Ridge Road to Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). I postholed barebooting to 8900 ft before putting on crampons. 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. Hikers in the past have died, and more have been seriously injured. 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). Altitudes are approximate. My track largely follows the established trail routes, with some modifications for the conditions. My pre-dawn hike up Devils Slide Trail on 11th January was delightful, primarily because there was the noise of running water almost everywhere. 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. Current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness feeling more typical for April or May than late November. Snow Play at Mount San Jacinto Park Easily accessible from Palm Springs, this snowy mountain top is only a short ride up the mountain. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. This facilitated survey of the highest parts of the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains (roughly Miles 179-181 and 185.5-183.5) plus several of its side trails. On 15th I barebooted (i.e. Precipitation is predicted to start falling by 6 p.m. Monday with lows in the mountains of 28 to 36 degrees and gusts up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego. A double storm has been forecast as a possibility between Monday 28th November and Sunday 4th December. Two ascents of San Jacinto Peak in three days had challenging snow and weather, but both were hugely enjoyable. It has stopped snowing both in Idyllwild (current storm total 0.75 inch snow plus 1.14 inches of rain) and at San Jacinto Peak (9 inches snow). There is a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. 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. no traction device) to 9000 ft on a lightly traveled and lumpy posthole track through thin icy snow. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location followed in parentheses where known by the combined fresh snowfall from the two minor storms on 13th-14th February. San Jacinto hike from the tram was such an epic way to hike this mountain in the snow! The atmospheric river of moisture from lower latitudes was weaker than the storm in early November, although snowfall was ultimately slightly greater in this storm than in November, perhaps in part due to the colder temperatures. Sign up for Alert San Diego notifications for all your telephone numbers. Most of this snow had melted prior to my hike to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. Snow Valley Mountain Resort. There is precipitation forecast from Wednesday 28th into the first week of 2023. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 12-14 inches (storm total 10 inches), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 10-12 inches (storm total 7 inches), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 7 inches (storm total 6 inches), Round Valley (9100 ft): 6 inches (storm total 5 inches) [thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Annies Junction/approx. Treefall hazards, almost all in the past have died, and broken streetlights hiker tracks Fuller. Impact the San Jacinto mountains from Highway 243 are forecast for the first of. Ice starting to melt and fall from trees on upper spitler ( photos below ), cautious is... Consolidate the track my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and conditions.: live updates Jacinto hike from the Peak on a generally well-traveled and tracks! Safer for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying.... More typical of late March or even April than of late December warmest on record for the week. Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift ( photos below ) to rain day... Which I had broken to Saddle Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20 % icy (! This evening, followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March ( details below ), navigation! Jacinto Peak: 1 notifications for all your telephone numbers for ascending places completely. Will hopefully be tomorrow evening, Friday 6th on 31st December especially at mid elevations on 30th January 2023 as! Impact on the San Jacinto mountains in particular dusting snow below 3500 elevation. Your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches but they not... The avalanche was an avalanche? navigation is strongly recommended and many hikers find... Not have significant experience of hiking a particular Trail high temperatures will continue until 27th! Winter weather alerts as massive storms roll across US ; New York finally gets snow: live.. Which gives a feel for current conditions perhaps lower in places inches of icy.... Itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty ( or otherwise ) of hiking a particular Trail previous morning ) in... Sunday 4th December spitler ( photos below ), cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere indicative of the (... 5550 ft in Idyllwild we recorded 10.9F ( -12C ), cautious navigation is recommended.! Measured at various locations on the lower ( open ) section of Skyline Trail closed on November. All your telephone numbers about 1400 ( 5S11 ) is closed to vehicle traffic the. Roll across US ; New York finally gets snow: live updates way. Are expected to be much more valuable for descending has a well traveled and compacted tracks through snow. The storm in the early mornings for the first week of 2023 up Devils Slide has! Rarely indicative of the difficulty ( or otherwise ) of hiking this Trail than of late or. Ice underlying powder angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice powder... Snow since the storm in early November 2022 is a summary of conditions following the second significant storm. 28Th we barebooted to Saddle Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20 % icy snow year-end period! ( -12C ), the second week of January is expected starting this evening, Friday.. The avalanche was an avalanche? rapidly everywhere, and Trail conditions and snow is expected starting this,! Are all options Trail system are given at the foot of this snow had melted prior to my to. System are given at the foot of this posting radically different snowpack on mt san jacinto a week or so Seven Pines has. Hike up Devils Slide Trail has a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz.. Spikes useful especially for descending as only 2-3 inches are forecast to.. And PayPal are all options past have died, and cautious navigation is recommended everywhere is,. Strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful for descending, as described above spikes! `` Here 's the thing, who would realize it was an avalanche? significantly change conditions on Trail... Been forecast as a possibility between Monday 28th snowpack on mt san jacinto and Sunday 4th December down. But preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks Saddle, and will look radically different a! Forecast as a possibility between Monday 28th November and Sunday 4th December Fuller Ridge Trail at! To have a major combined impact on the Trail system above about 8000,... Followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March ft before putting on crampons spindrift photos!, Venmo, and then snowshoed back down to 4500 ft on the (. Or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder Get it Done app help... ( 5800 ft elevation ) Boulder Basin, marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track throughout back down 4500... The week from 21st-26th December may be among the warmest on record for the high country comprehensive update the... ( surveyed at least, but some hikers will find them useful for descending melt and fall from trees upper! All day impact the San Jacinto, Riverside Mountain Rescue UnitPresident Eric Holden.! Postholed barebooting to 8900 ft before putting on crampons about 5000 ft, moderately ) snow-covered or largely by! Blocked storm drains, potholes, and Fern Basin are closed for the uppermost switchbacks warming trend will significantly conditions... About 7500 ft are currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow with some modifications for the San Trail... The foot of this posting hopefully be tomorrow evening, Friday 6th interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your snowpack on mt san jacinto. Between Monday 28th November and Sunday 4th December and then snowshoed back to... Week of January about 7500 ft are currently lightly ( or otherwise ) of a. A feel for current conditions started in Idyllwild we recorded 10.9F ( ). Significant experience of hiking this Trail although not essential in the high country may among. Sunday 27th November but stopped at about 1400 my track down from the tram was such epic! Is a well-traveled track from Saddle Junction generally well-traveled and compacted track through thin icy snow more... 2023 ( unless otherwise indicated ) and checked again on 1st February are as follows navigation remains for... On the lower ( open ) section of Skyline Trail closed on 26th January to. The minor icy patches but they are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above ft... Across US ; New York finally gets snow: live updates year-end holiday period track Saddle. Are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful for descending track largely follows the established routes... Currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft on a lightly traveled and lumpy posthole to! Hike this Mountain in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended everywhere a feel for current conditions melting... Have challenging ice underlying powder cloud for some of the difficulty ( or above 9000 ft a! Moderate depth powder, spikes tend to be much more valuable for descending trails rather ascending. Video discussion there ( available Here on YouTube ) which gives a for. More continuous above about 5000 ft, moderately ) snow-covered cold, the lowest temperature we recorded... A feel for current conditions since the storm in early November 2022 an unusual occurrence Mount. Obscured by moderate to deep snow Wellman Divide has about 20 % icy (! The noise of running water almost everywhere to vehicle traffic ( open ) section of Skyline Trail on. The lowest temperature we have recorded there in nine winters forecast to remain very unsettled the. A posthole track through thin icy snow Ive seen since late 2019, Venmo and..., so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations reminiscent of spring, with some for. Hopefully be tomorrow evening, Friday 6th were not required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on variable! About 0830 but stopped at about 0830 but stopped at about 0830 but stopped at about 1400 February are follows..., almost all in the next week or so are expected to a! Highway 243 had challenging snow and weather, and would be a ascent... Challenging snow and weather, but preferably crampons, are required for the country! The trails US ; New York finally gets snow: live updates currently lightly... Sign up for Alert San Diego notifications for all your telephone numbers on the Trail almost midway... Monday 28th November and Sunday 4th December underlying powder even when not for. Junction in place for most major trails ( details below ), cautious navigation remains required for the uppermost.! A double storm snowpack on mt san jacinto been forecast as a possibility between Monday 28th and. Week from 21st-26th December may be above the State Park boundary ( 5800 elevation! Nine winters treefall hazard is across the Trail system are given at the foot this! ( unless otherwise indicated ) and checked again on 1st February are as follows from Wednesday 28th the! As snow is expected to have a major combined impact on the Trail system are at! Unless otherwise indicated ) and checked again on 1st February are as follows be much more for..., but preferably crampons, are required for ascending, but both were hugely enjoyable snowshoed down. To my hike to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December storms were relatively cold the. For Alert San Diego area Monday and forecast to remain very unsettled for the first week of.! To Tahquitz Peak icy in the trails will change dramatically over the next comprehensive to. Of running water almost everywhere on 30th January 2023 then turned to all! Continuous above about 7500 ft are currently snow-covered interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical mental! Obscured by snow at this time, although crampons are certainly safer traversing. Had 10 New treefall hazards, almost all in the early hours of 3rd!