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. This may continue for several weeks, or could change given further fresh snowfall forecast. There is the possibility that this will end abruptly with a minor storm on Monday 28th November, with 1-3 inches of snow possible above 10,000 ft. As discussed above, additional light snowfall on 3rd and 5th January will further complicate the trail conditions. Lightly-traveled snowshoe and/or posthole tracks radiate away from Saddle Junction around the meadow trail and south toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have not checked how accurately they follow established trail routes or how far they continue. On 24th the road had about 30% patchy ice cover. from. Sadly it is looking increasingly likely that neither storm will significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. On Friday 20th I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is clear of snow. 7-Day Weather Live Satellite & Weather Radar. Following an unusually warm weekend, multiple atmospheric river storms will bring cold, cloudy weather with variable precipitation from Tuesday 27th December well into the first week of January. Most significantly in terms of snow conditions daytime temperatures at all elevations will be well above freezing for about a week starting 20th. MT. With a rapidly changing climate in the region in recent years, it has become increasingly common for there to be little or no difference in snow quantities at mid and higher elevations, often because the high country remains above the cloud, and this system was no exception. PALM SPRINGS, Calif. As if Southern California blizzard warnings and snow-dusted yuccas werent already surreal enough, some eagle-eyed interstate travelers saw another rare sight Sunday that mightve left them wondering if theyd made a wrong turn into the Rockies. 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. Forecasts range widely from 6-22 inches of snow for the highest elevations across multiple days, with a mix of rain and several inches of snow at mid elevations. 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. 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. In combination with the four inches of rain since Saturday, not to mention the many inches of rain earlier this winter, the mid elevations, including the mountain communities, are now best described as a very soggy and slushy mess. Snow cover is continuous from there, with a posthole track to Tahquitz Peak. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th-20th February (east and south side locations) and 15th February 2023 (west side) are as follows. UPDATE 11th November 2022: conditions for trails both north and south of Tahquitz Peak have been updated below, with photo, based on our hike this morning. Many thanks to Kyle Eubanks who I chatted with at the Peak this afternoon. Ernie Maxwell Trail has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the continuous snow cover a few inches deep. The high country currently has the deepest snow accumulation in the San Jacinto mountains in almost four years, since March 2019. From there I used snowshoes to ascend via Annies Junction and Wellman Divide. This storm is expected to have two periods of precipitation, one each on 11th and 12th. Temperatures are forecast to remain at or even slightly below seasonal averages into the second half of November, with freezing conditions every night above about 5500 ft elevation. 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. 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. Spikes are not required. This latest storm was again very mild, as expected from an atmospheric river system pulling moisture in from warmer latitudes. On the morning of Monday 12th a further 2.5 inches of snow settled in Idyllwild. Final precipitation numbers for Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft elevation) across the three days were 5.06 inches of rain and 6.5 inches of snow, although only about half of the latter remained on the ground as a few inches were removed by (relatively) warm rain between snow storms. The trail is clearest above immediately above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. 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. A storm currently predicted for Wednesday 22nd February is tentatively forecast to have near record low (i.e. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. Spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. In addition to snowshoes, and as conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 6000ft. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for most of the major trails (details below). SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. Note that tracks are being obscured very quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in hours or even minutes (see photo below). Most notable for our region is the remaining uncertainty within the meteorological models, which could result in us receiving half (or double!) An additional six inches of accumulation today brings the total in Idyllwild since 21st February to 20.5 inches. 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. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. The Get it Done app can help you report blocked storm drains, potholes, and broken streetlights. Forecasts remain more uncertain about the second wave of stormy weather on 16th-18th January. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! Average snow depth around the peak was 24-25 inches, but heavily drifted. 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. The chart s below show s past snowfall recorded this year near San Jacinto, CA for the last few years. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead; these nine space still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent). 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. I kept those on for the rest of the ascent, and almost all of the descent, finally removing them most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route. Accumulation so far of about 0.5 inch in Idyllwild, and one inch at Long Valley. 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). I descended Deer Springs Trail, again breaking trail the entire way, but again through light snow sitting on top of a very solid, icy snow layer. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 5.5 inches (storm total 5 inches), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 6 inches (storm total 5 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 5-6 inches (storm total 5 inches) [thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 3-4 inches (storm total 3-4 inches), Saddle Junction/approx. 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. Currently, and as conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft. On 13th, Idyllwild received 2.75 inches, and I measured five inches at San Jacinto Peak, with 3-4 inches at locations in between. With the light fresh powder the previous evening, accompanied by very strong winds causing extensive drifting, prior tracks, including my own from 13th, had been totally erased everywhere so I was again breaking trail the entire way. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. They may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. Jean Peak (3252 m) 1.9 km: 2. 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). 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. 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. She was driving on Interstate 10 (and had to concentrate on the road!) 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). Stone Creek campground had also closed, but I saw that it had apparently reopened for Thanksgiving weekend. The peak is also frequently called Mount San Jacinto. 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. Spikes are recommended. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. 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. The traversing slopes above Wellmans Divide were very firm and relatively tricky in snowshoes, and some hikers may prefer to use spikes (or probably crampons) plus an ice axe above about 9800 ft. As I descended past Saddle Junction I was surprised not to see any other tracks as of early afternoon on Friday 6th, which I mention only because of the lack of broken trails this indicates. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. After some early sleety drizzle it has been snowing in Long Valley (8600 ft) since late morning with 0.75 inch accumulating so far. Schwartz, who has lived in more avalanche-prone areas of New York state and Vermont, said Sunday was her first time seeing an avalanche. One major treefall hazard is across the trail almost exactly midway between the trailheads at Humber Park and Tahquitz View Drive. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is largely clear of icy snow, with a few patches remaining, mostly close to Humber Park. 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). Time of day, temperature, and sun exposure all have significant impacts on the nature of the snow, in turn changing the conditions underfoot, and hence both the hiking difficulty and the preferred traction device (if any). WEATHER MOUNT DIABLO SAN FRANCISCO SNOW SKIING RAIN TRAFFIC. To see more years, view this page on a wider screen. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (summarized here) has been melting steadily at mid elevations but more slowly in the high country given the relative weakness of the sun at this time of year. The high winds forecast did not materialize, although gusts up to 35 mph have been enough to cause very heavy drifting. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 11th January 2023 are as follows. These concerns may steadily increase over the next few weeks with (eventually) temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt. Some hikers will find spikes preferable. A mixed assortment of weather is possible for the remainder of November. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route, as discussed below. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is functionally clear of icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. 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. The fourteenth and fifteenth storm systems of winter 2022/23 impacted the San Jacinto mountains back-to-back on 13th and 14th February, as discussed in the previous Report available here. Holden said he could not recall the last time there had been an avalanche on Mount San Jacinto. Altitudes are approximate. Early on the morning of Saturday 17th I broke trail back-and-forth across the 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak which now has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder (photo below). Spikes not required to that elevation. Although my original track accurately followed the trail above Little Round Valley, there are now a fair number of alternate shortcut tracks across this slope, so cautious navigation is advised. NA. Most of the PCT through the San Jacinto mountains has little more than 1-4 inches of snow to deal with. However, forecast models suggest anywhere from 6-20 inches of snow above 10,000 ft elevation spread across at least two of the three days, and the possibility of several inches of snow at mid elevations (e.g., 2-4 inches in Idyllwild). There is a well-traveled track on the lowest section of Deer Springs Trail continuing out to Suicide Rock. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 18th January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows. It warmed last night to just above freezing below 6000 ft, with a mixture of rain and sleet falling on top of the prior snow, turning it increasingly to wet slush at mid elevations (we measured about 0.25 inch rain in Idyllwild). Altitudes are approximate. Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 7500 ft. 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. Winters are highly variable in Mount San Jacinto State Park. Given colder temperatures for the foreseeable future, melting is expected to slow (or almost stop in the high country) and spikes will remain recommended well into December at least. We survey the trail system daily, with hikes via different routes to San Jacinto Peak several times per week, Tahquitz Peak and vicinity at least weekly, and many other trails on other days. 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. They are not currently recommended for moderate angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying shallow powder. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 1-2 inches (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 1-3 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 1-2 inches [measured 19th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 0-1 inch [measured 19th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): 0-1 inch (was 2-3 inches on 9th), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0-1 inch (was approx. At mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild) temperatures are forecast to warm for the next ten days, and to be above seasonal averages well into the second half of November. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. Immediately north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is initially somewhat patchy on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) but thereafter icy snow cover is continuous through the Wellman and Peak trails to San Jacinto Peak. A minor heatwave is forecast for 23rd-27th November with temperatures at all elevations expected to warm to well above seasonal. Currently crampons, with an ice axe (and knowledge of how to use both), are strongly recommended. UPDATE Sunday 1st January 2023: A moderate overnight storm produced 1.53 inches of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550ft). This information will be updated daily over the next week as details are changing significantly with every new forecast. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. 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. As mentioned above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. 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. It made for one of the easiest trips to . In recent days we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. All trails above about 8000 ft are obscured by snow at this time, and cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The next full update will likely be on the afternoon of 25th. The main track is clearest just above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Personally I would not currently venture above 9000 ft elevation without crampons (always with an ice axe) and snowshoes, due to the current complexity and challenges of the icy snow slopes above that elevation. Note that averages are given at the foot of this posting cause very heavy drifting even they. Forecasts remain more uncertain about the second wave of stormy weather on 16th-18th January to deal.... Significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains winds forecast did not materialize, a... Itself is rarely indicative of the major trails ( details below ) of! 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Details of snow to deal with moderate angle slopes above 9000 ft that challenging.
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