However, snowshoes may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. All trails above about 4500 ft are snow-covered. Temperatures will be near or generally below seasonal for the next ten days at least. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. At the Peak on Sunday 1st January 2023 at 0830 the air temperature was 17.9F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -2.3F (-19C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 21.1 mph. 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. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently snow-covered. As encouraging as that is, it should be noted that snow accumulation at San Jacinto Peak is only at about 65% of the depth in March 2019, and this winter overall remains well below the historical average for snow in the high country, despite recent events. This started as low as Devils Slide Trail and continued all morning. I made a concerted effort to put in a track as faithful to the trail routes as conditions permitted, both up and down. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. WEATHER UPDATE 23rd December: forecasts have been shifting dramatically in recent days. Print/PDF map. The trailhead is reached by turning east off Highway 38 to Forest Falls, then continuing until the road ends at the top and east end of Big Falls Picnic Area. San Bernardino National Forest including the San Jacinto Ranger District is closed until at least 16 March 2023. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses by the approximate depth of fresh snow added by the latest storm sequence on 14th-17th January. Effective 26th January 2023 the State Park closed the section of Skyline Trail that falls within its jurisdiction, above 5800 ft elevation, until further notice due to dangerous weather conditions. Although not essential, spikes are recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. 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. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route. Currently, and as conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft. I snowshoed the rest of the way to San Jacinto Peak through lovely light powder. At the Peak on Monday 21st November 2022 at 1610 the air temperature was 36.5F (3C), with a windchill temperature of 28.0F (-2C), 9% relative humidity, and a steady WSW breeze sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.2 mph. In the high country temperatures will be more like April or May, some 10-20F above seasonal, before finally cooling (but still remaining above average) in the last couple of days of the year. For example, the Baldy. 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). Please allow at least 72 hours for processing of permits. The areas closed on June 17, as a result of the 31,359 acre Lake Fire. Per "Tarol" 6-21-2011The Vivian Creek route is the most popular, South Fork is #2If you want a permit for Vivian for a dayhike on the weekend in the summertime, you must get it 3-4 weeks in advance. By late afternoon, with the sun sinking, the search was suspended for another long, cold night. 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. Round Valley is the campsite along the trail to San Jacinto from the Long Valley ranger station. Hopefully someone will update the trail description with respect to the total miles. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. We estimate that 3407 Calle Sin Rival would rent between $7,377 / mo. Per "Tarol" 6-21-2011 The rain has becoming heavier in the past hour or so. 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. Spikes are not essential but will be useful for most hikers, especially for descending. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.5 inches (total 3.5 inch). External Links. Yesterday afternoon we checked Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park, and measured an average snow depth of 26 inches. No tracks had made it as far as Chinquapin from Saddle Junction at that time. Largely a day for digging out again, and getting prepared for the next major snowfall, due tonight. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 30th January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) and checked again on 1st February are as follows. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. FOLLOW A FEW SIMPLE RULES, Your contribution helps SGWA protect the Wilderness and educate visitors! Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through increasingly patchy, very thin, icy snow above about 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). 2-3 inches on 9th November), Saddle Junction/approx. I have kept crampons on for most of the descent, removing them most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. Most major trails now have a track through the snow to follow, details have been updated below. Rain started overnight in Idyllwild, and by late this afternoon (at 1550) totals 1.22 inch. 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). Spikes are strongly recommended. Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track to follow. There is a compacted, well-traveled track on continuous light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. 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. Strong winds expected on 11th-12th February, and again on 14th, will likely obscure many tracks with spindrift. Melting has already reduced the snow cover to 90% as far as Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). Trail conditions are updated below. *
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Times staff writer Dave McKibben contributed to this report. 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, the access point to Long Valley. All have been reported to US Forest Service. Generally considered a challenging route. One major treefall hazard is across the trail almost exactly midway between the trailheads at Humber Park and Tahquitz View Drive. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. Two 17-year-old hikers were rescued on Friday after getting lost on the Pacific Crest Trail, near the San Gorgonio Mountain, during a winter storm earlier in . The top ten snowfall totals by winter for Idyllwild are as follows: While many hundreds of hours of time and labor are volunteered annually, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover modest operating costs. The forecast for the last ten days of December differs radically from what was predicted just a week ago, and a major warming trend is expected rather than another cold Pacific storm. The holiday weekend had temperatures far above seasonal until Tuesday 27th. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. There is a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. 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. The first storm system comes through overnight on Tuesday 27th, with precipitation continuing into the morning of Wednesday 28th. 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). From the 10 freeway (coming east or west), you'll take Highway 38 through Forest Falls to get to the trailhead. At the Peak on Wednesday 18th January 2023 at 1115 the air temperature was 16.8F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -3.6F (-20C), 27% relative humidity, and a frigid NNW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 25.8 mph. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 42 inches (45-48 inches), drifted to 60 inches in places, especially on East Ridge. Above that elevation, icy snow cover is about 60% to Saddle Junction. As mentioned last week, current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness typical of April rather than December. Further light snow is expected starting this evening, followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 8 inches (8-9 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4 inches (total 4 inches). Since the depths given in the previous Report, there had been very minor storms on 28th and 29th December, which added a couple of inches at the highest elevations, down to 0.5 inch at 8000 ft. It is especially obscure 0.1-0.3 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious near Caramba. In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) it started raining at 1100, where it has been relatively slow to accumulate so far, with 0.4 inch by 1500. They are now invaluable on heavily traveled, compacted, icy tracks (before they clear of snow in the coming weeks) such as Devils Slide, Ernie Maxwell, and Deer Springs trails, at least, especially mornings when conditions tend to be most icy, and for descending. San Gorgonio is the tallest mountain in Southern California, and a rite of passage for serious hikers in the area. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3 inches (all from latest storms, admixed with 5.06 inches rain on 14th-16th) already melting steadily on 18th. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. It is starting to turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing. Although the high country currently has its deepest snow accumulation in almost four years, since March 2019, this winter nevertheless remains well below the average for snowfall in the San Jacinto mountains to late January. Camp on a durable surface at least 100 feet away from trails and water sources. Schedule a showing for 251 Broadriver Trail in Beaumont, CA. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. United States government. Winter conditions Be prepared for all weather conditions. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Discover your local Girl Scout council: about Girl Scouts, what they do, what activities are available locally, and how to contact us. There had been an additional six inches of snow (plus an unknown amount of rain) since my measurement two days earlier, for a current total snow depth of about 21 inches at Saddle Junction. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers will find them useful for descending. On the morning of Monday 6th February I ascended San Jacinto Peak for the fifth time in the past two weeks, this time via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails), descending the same way. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. I barebooted to 9000 ft, then snowshoed the rest of the way through lovely light powder. (one-way mileages to the top of San G)
PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 0-1 inch (4 inches on 12th December), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch (3.5 inches on 12th December). A short video summary of what we found is available here. Current Trail Conditions There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. 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. Some hikers will find spikes are useful at least for descending. . From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction. There is a relatively well-traveled track on the Round Valley Trail from Long Valley through to Wellman Divide. They are now invaluable on heavily traveled, compacted, icy tracks (before they clear of snow in the coming weeks) such as Devils Slide, Ernie Maxwell, and Deer Springs trails, at least, especially mornings when conditions tend to be most icy, and for descending. Storm number 20, and the last of a stunning first two months of 2023, produced another major snowfall with 10 inches overnight in Idyllwild, and it is still snowing heavily. They will be especially valuable on well-consolidated tracks over the coming days and weeks before they clear of snow (e.g., Devils Slide, Ernie Maxwell, Deer Springs trails, at least), on colder mornings when conditions are icy, and for descending. 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. Dcouvrez les 9 joyaux cachs visiter et planifiez votre prochaine aventure ds maintenant autour de Yucaipa. Current forecasts for precipitation suggest as much as three inches of rain around the elevation of Idyllwild (5000-6000 ft) between the evening of Tuesday 27th December 2022 and Friday 6th January 2023. Todays rainfall total has passed an inch in Idyllwild, and various locations in Pine Cove (5800-6500 ft) were reporting 1.1 to 1.3 inches two hours ago. Due to the difficult nature of the hike, we decided to arrive at the trailhead at 5am to get an early start. The flow of atmospheric river storm systems continues unabated across California. This western side of the mountain was better protected from winds and drifting snow, and this track should largely survive until the weekend. Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow in its upper switchbacks to the PCT. All seasonal and ephemeral streams were running strongly, and the current water conditions are the best for four years, since the great Valentines Day flood event of 2019. A weather system, possibly in two waves across a broad time window between 2nd and 5th December, is currently forecast to produce light precipitation at all elevations, including a possible dusting of snow in the high country [update 1st December: no precipitation is now expected from these storms passing to the north of us]. San Gorgonio trail and issued strong warnings to those who choose to hike the region's rugged mountains in treacherous conditions. They tend to be especially useful for descending. The first number is the current total snow depth, followed in parentheses by the greatest depth of the winter to date following the latest storm on 11th-12th December. The Vivian Creek Trail is the shortest and the steepest route to the summit of Mt. Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. At the Peak 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. 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 unavailable for legal parking. However the route is now well-traveled and compacted. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 25-27 inches (includes 2.5 inches snow added on 10th January) but very heavily drifted, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 24 inches (2 inches on 10th January), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail/PCT Mile 184.9 (8700 ft): 13 inches (1 inch snow on 10th), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus 1.5 inches rain on 10th), Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183.3 (8100 ft): 6 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Deer Springs Trail at Suicide Rock Trail junction (6950 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0.5 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th). However the precipitation amounts and probabilities for both storm systems have varied greatly in recent forecasts, and the models seem to be especially uncertain about details of the second storm (approx. The Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 10th January] has minor patches of snow along its entire length, however it is largely clear for long sections, and the remaining snow is rarely icy. Forecasts are inconsistent regarding the amount of snowfall in this next storm, but those that I trust suggest 12+ inches in Idyllwild over the next 24 hours, with 1-2 feet in the high country. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended everywhere above about 8500 ft, and 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, on both flanks but especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. However this may change next week with new snowfall possible as discussed below. Go Hiking Trip Reports San Gorgonio Wilderness-California. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Note that tracks discussed can be obscured quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. That's suicide." 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. There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to Saddle Junction. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. San Bernardino, CA 92408
Often spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Lost Creek Trail via Dry Lake 12.9 miles, 5,182' gain
At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 19th December 2022 at 0920 the air temperature was 31.3F (0C), with a windchill temperature of 20.7F (-6C), 9% relative humidity, and a light WNW wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 9.9 mph. View details, map and photos of this single family property with 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths. Note: When there is sufficient snow coverage, the winter route is MUCH preferred and typically much safer. 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). Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to about 7700 ft (about 1.7 miles up) although some dirty icy patches remain below that. RESCUES IN THE WILDERNESS CAN BE AVOIDED. 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. Elevation gain : 5,840 ft. (406), Comments Matthew L. Jones, 15, of San Bernardino tumbled about 400 feet to his death from a steep, burned slope near Devore on Jan. 11. We had a Garmin GPS with us and it showed the total round trip mileage from the parking lot where you first start walking, to the top and back, as being a little over 18 miles round trip! However the combined effect of the two minor storms, in combination with wild gusty winds pushing spindrift snow all over the high country, had completely erased the few tracks that were in place by the morning of Wednesday 15th. Check out pictures on SGWA member John Flippins website, High Lake Photography. http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/. At the Peak on Friday 2nd December 2022 at 1620 the air temperature was 26.2F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 11.8F (-11C), 55% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 15.4 mph. The South Fork Trailhead (officially known as South Fork Trail 1E04) lies about 2.5 miles off of Rt 38, close to the town of Angelus Oaks. Snowfall in Long Valley (8600 ft) has been steady until largely stopping by 1600, with close to 10 inches added since yesterday for a total accumulation there of nearly three feet. whitebark 300 Hiked May 4, 2008. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is clear of snow. 2 Baths. Length 19.0 miElevation gain 5,492 ftRoute type Out & back. These positions are for the after-school program. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. 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. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail has a well-traveled track to follow throughout its length, snow cover is about 80%. On the mountaintop, the ice continues to stay, and if hikers continue going up there, we're going to continue to have problems." Conversely, lower down Devils Slide Trail is a combination of very light snow cover, slush, and multiple stream crossings, with much water flowing down the trail. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 7500 ft moderately, snow-covered. ABC7 reports the . 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. The snow pack was hard enough to walk on top in some places but we did experience many holes. There is considerable uncertainty regarding timing and precipitation amounts for Southern California. Altitudes are approximate. It is clear, based on information on the PCTA website closures page (linked here), that these closures will dramatically and negatively impact early season PCT hikers. Put on snowshoes and went up to the base of San Gorgonio . One of the most visited National Forest in Southern California. Deer Springs Trail (surveyed 8th December) is functionally clear of ice to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft). Two more significant atmospheric river storm systems are forecast on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th, and on 16th-18th. I recorded a brief video at San Jacinto Peak at about 0930 on Friday 6th (available here on YouTube) which discusses conditions at that time. This makes for less than perfect snowshoeing conditions, but still preferable to postholing. Perhaps more significantly, we have received the most snow in a winter since 1963/64, a span of 59 years. Snowshoes are very strongly recommended for any trails in, or leading to, the high country. Distance : 17.3 miles. Thank you so much for your support. Forecasts indicate we will get a few more inches of snow overnight on 2nd-3rd January, and again on Thursday 5th January. Highways into Idyllwild were closed today and may well be for some or all of tomorrow. All in all, I found the Fish Creek Trail to be a great way to go. Coldwell Banker. If camping overnite anywhere within the San Gorgonio Wilderness a permit is required. Section D. I-15/Cajon Pass to Hwy-14/Agua Dulce. On 21st I again barebooted (i.e. Leave your itinerary Make sure you tell someone where you are planning to go and when youll be back. They may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. If you want to hike during the week, you have a better chance of getting a permit. On the afternoon of Monday 6th I was treated to moody clouds and virga, a cloud base just above my head at San Jacinto Peak, and the briefest possible flurry of small snow flakes while at the Peak (but nothing settled). The next full update will likely be on the afternoon of 25th. The storm forecast for 29th-30th January looks less dramatic than previously predicted, with the high country largely above the storm (only an inch of snow forecast), and only 2-4 inches now expected at the elevation of Idyllwild. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. With two further snowfalls expected in the next ten days, and moderate to strong winds in the high country expected for most of those days causing some daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system may remain completely or somewhat obscured by moderate snow at least into the third week of January. Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has an ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. TAKE A MAP. 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.
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.