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. On the morning of Wednesday 11th January, getting an Alpine start, I broke trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak via Devils Slide, PCT, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails. Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. Thank you so much for your support. The cold icy early morning snow had the perfect bite for good boots with excellent soles. A second forecast storm system may bring some light precipitation to the San Jacinto mountains on 2nd December, and possibly again on 4th-5th. Indeed there were no other tracks anywhere above Humber Park, not even on lower Devils Slide Trail. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Melting is expected to be steady and start to accelerate into February, but freeze/thaw cycles, compaction, and refreezing overnight may ultimately combine to produce very icy conditions. While my snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junction through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, this was already becoming partially obscured by a combination of ice fall from overhead trees, melting of surface snow, and light drifting of powder in some areas. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Prior to this storm, conditions had been extremely unsettled for about ten days, with four storms in a week, although only one of those was a significant snow-producing system. See why the snow was such a major factor for this hike in the 4K . The next full update will likely be on the afternoon of 25th. However I was surprised to find almost all of this had melted by the time I hiked to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. Discover this 5.6-mile out-and-back trail near Palm Springs, California. UPDATE Tuesday 10th January: Another minor and relatively warm storm is passing through our mountains today. Sadly it is looking increasingly likely that neither storm will significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. Spikes are recommended. Altitudes are approximate. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail) and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. They may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. It finally stopped snowing at about 0700, and some blue sky has resulted in spectacular vistas. . Snow at all elevations will become increasingly firm and icy following multiple freeze-thaw cycles, and compaction by increasing hiker traffic in places, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of having both appropriate equipment and the right skill set for the terrain. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (no snow, 1.26 inches rain on 10th). The first number is the current total snow depth, followed in parentheses by the storm total for this latest storm 11th-12th December. This may mean rain and/or freezing rain as high as 10,000 ft, and challenging layers of icy or mixed snow/ice conditions at all elevations, including the possible melting of some or most preexisting snow below about 8000 ft due to rainfall. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 6000 ft, lower in places. This morning I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. We surveyed the PCT where it crosses Highway 74 (approx. Spikes are recommended. In the days since the storm, we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. A major change to the weather might occur next week (see Weather section below) with forecasts suggesting a possible double storm system impacting the San Jacinto mountains, and cold temperatures at all mountain elevations for a week at least. 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. All have been reported to US Forest Service. "Here's the thing, who would realize it was an avalanche?" Thankfully, no one is believed to have been on the mountain at the time. Obviously these depths are expected to change dramatically over the next few days. There is a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. Spikes are not required. There are many ways to enjoy the snow in the San Jacinto Mountains, but snowshoeing is perhaps one of the most exhilarating. Live Streams. The section where the avalanche occurred rarely has people on it, he said, because climbing options are limited to a very technical route that is typically attempted only by experienced climbers later in the season. Note that tracks discussed here may become obscured by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds combined with extensive ice fall from trees overhead. South Ridge Road remains closed now with only about 35% icy snow cover. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of snow below 7600 ft, about two miles up, and then snow cover is about 60% up to Saddle Junction but becoming almost continuous within 0.2 mile of the junction. At the Peak on Thursday 15th December 2022 at 0715 the air temperature was 28.0F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 13.9F (-10C), 52% relative humidity, and a chilly WNW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 14.5 mph. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 4 inches (storm total 3.5 inches), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3.5 inches (storm total 3.5 inches). Rain has continued solidly today in Idyllwild, with another 0.90 inch since 0700 this morning. Snow cover is about 60% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter >90% to San Jacinto Peak. Winter Hiking: Dangerous conditions exist when snow and ice conditions are present. Forecasts are currently predicting 30-50 inches of snow for the highest peaks of the San Jacinto mountains (>10,000 ft) mainly between 23rd and 25th February, and about 18-30 inches for the Idyllwild area (5000-6000 ft elevations). 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. The first couple of days early next week (20th-21st) may warm slightly above seasonal, before promptly dropping well below average again, accompanying another unsettled period of multiple consecutive storm systems on 22nd-28th. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to Saddle Junction. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled and level track photo below to follow through the light 3-4 inches of powder (drifted to six inches in places). San Bernardino County declared a state of emergency Monday after residents in mountain communities were left stranded and snowed-in due to this week's winter storm. The highest peaks appeared to add slightly less snow than some lower locations, probably because they were above the cloud for some of the precipitation events. 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. I was pleased to see that over the weekend some posthole tracks were added on top of my snowshoe track from last week all the way up Deer Springs Trail to San Jacinto Peak. There is an excellent snowshoe track to follow on the Wellman Trail and the Peak Trail up to San Jacinto Peak. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the challenge (or otherwise) of a given trail. Underlying that powder are layers of ice (largely from freezing rain storms) which are much more perilous. Precipitation turned to occasional light snow in Long Valley at about 1330, with an accumulation by 1550 of just 0.5 inch. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 7000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. 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). Forecasts suggest a further 2-3 inches are possible tonight. Thank you so much for your support. NA. 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. 4 Forecast Elevations: Peak: 10804 ft 8203 ft 4922 ft Base: 1641 ft This table gives the weather forecast for Mount San Jacinto Peak at the specific elevation of 3293 m. Our advanced weather models allow us to provide distinct weather forecasts for several elevations of Mount San Jacinto Peak. Final totals for Idyllwild for the three day storm event were 6.5 inches of snow, plus an impressive 5.06 inches of rain. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including chunks as large as a small microwave weighing 40-80 lb, which then dislodge as soon as direct sunlight warms the trees. "The biggest issue with the snow levels is the . Spikes are not required. 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. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently ideal everywhere above about 9500 ft. The switchbacks up to Tahquitz Peak average only 20% icy snow cover, but the frequency and length of ice patches increases on the uppermost switchbacks. There is an average of 9-10 inches of fresh powder so far today at San Jacinto Peak, and about 5 inches in Long Valley. My tracks from Wednesday 18th January from Humber Park to/from San Jacinto Peak will be largely visible but may become somewhat obscured in places. As mentioned above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. 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. 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. This will likely continue to be the case for several weeks, given fresh snowfall expected. Temperatures will be below seasonal for December for at least the next week, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy. A double storm has been forecast as a possibility between Monday 28th November and Sunday 4th December. 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. Make Yahoo Your Homepage Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. We removed nine treefall hazards on 18th November and the trail is now completely clear again, bringing to 56 the number of trees we have removed from this trail since mid 2021. There is no planned reopening date at this time. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 0-1 inch (was 3 inches on 9th). 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. On Friday 20th I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. 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. However they are not required, depending on your comfort level with postholing in drifted snow of moderate depth. South Ridge Road is clear of ice and snow. 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. I postholed barebooting to 8900 ft before putting on crampons. Conditions will remain very unsettled well into the third week of January. On my ascent I put crampons on at Wellmans Cienega (9300 ft) and they were more-or-less essential for traversing the icy slopes of the Peak Trail. This morning the PCT at the top of Spitler Peak Trail (roughly Mile 168.5) was basically clear of snow. In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) additional light rain this morning has added up to 0.1 inch. At the Peak on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at 1030 the air temperature was 4.9F (-15C), with a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), 65% relative humidity, and a bitter due North wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and/or icy patches (depending upon time of day). Regarding snowfall, the high country may be above the cloud at times, with dustings of snow above about 7000 ft across much of the nine day period, but with the highest probability for a heavy snowfall on Saturday 31st December, totaling 8-15 inches. This makes for less than perfect snowshoeing conditions, but still preferable to postholing. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. 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). These storms are currently forecast to each produce at least ten inches of snow at the highest elevations and an inch or more of rain at mid elevations (e.g., in Idyllwild). Through and below Little Round Valley, my track almost entirely follows the established trail. From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction. 24F-4C. Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. 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. This is a summary of conditions following the second significant Pacific storm of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. The total snow accumulation was ultimately very close to the predictions given by forecasts in the days prior to the storm, and notably it was the heaviest snowfall in the first half of November for at least a decade. Willow Creek Trail remains a relatively slow, messy hike for a couple of miles. Even around the 10,000 ft peaks temperatures are expected to fluctuate either side of freezing for at least the first half of February, which will lead to freeze/thaw cycles and likely icy conditions in the mornings followed by soft, challenging snow in the afternoons. 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. 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. As mentioned above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, notably the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Many thanks to Florian Boyd for bringing this to my attention. Nothing unduly dangerous, but something to be aware of for the next couple of days. 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. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for almost all major trails (details below). Mount San Jacinto State Park is all about the San Jacinto Mountains. Snow cover remains virtually continuous, but a few small patches are clearing below 7000 ft. Spikes are strongly recommended, at least for descending. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, potentially lower in places. 10 inches on 9th), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-1 inch (was 4 inches on 9th), Annies Junction/approx. Sunrise was at 6:20 am and sunset will be at 5:38 pm; the daylight will last for 11h and 18min. This is especially dangerous on portions of trails that are . Top ways to experience San Jacinto Mountain and nearby attractions. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since the storm in mid December, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. Trails down to 4000 ft elevation currently have shallow snow cover. The East Ridge Trail from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak has multiple tracks, all of which were disappearing under fresh spindrift when I ascended that way on Monday 23rd. Forecast models have a higher degree of confidence for the Tuesday storm than the storm next weekend. UPDATE Friday 20th January: Overnight Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow, but the high country was above the cloud so existing tracks should be unaffected. Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak were closed for the season this past weekend ahead of schedule in anticipation of the snow storm. Deer Springs Trail has a broken track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak. A significant triple storm system had a major impact on 21st-26th February, and those updates are posted below also. My track largely follows the established trail routes, with some modifications for the conditions. As of the afternoon of Monday 12th, the only tracks that I saw and that are known to be in place are my snowshoe track between Humber Park and San Jacinto Peak (using Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails), and the track of Kyle Eubanks from the previous evening between Long Valley and the Peak via Wellman Divide (which remained surprisingly visible in places about 15-20 hours later, showing how calm the winds were overnight). There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, lower in places. Half the time I go up planning to snow-shoe, I wind up staying in Micro-Spikes. Snow accumulation was initially slow but has been an inch per hour recently, with 2.5 inch added at San Jacinto Peak since late this morning (on top of about 24 inches remaining from prior storms). An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. UPDATE Thursday 29th December: I have uploaded a video from my hike to San Jacinto Peak this morning (available here on YouTube) where I enjoyed a minor snow storm. Snowshoes are useful in lower angle terrain with adequate snow depth above about 8000 ft, for example the Tahquitz area meadows near Saddle Junction, sections of Deer Springs Trail, and Long Valley/Round Valley. Winter is a real bona fide season at Mount San Jacinto State Park. 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). This may result in very strong winds and bitterly cold windchill temperatures at upper elevations. 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. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is functionally clear of icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. Icy snow cover is 80% overall, becoming increasingly patchy below about 7000 ft, and again in the sun-exposed areas above 8000 ft. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. The snow quickly turned into semi-melted slush. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains up to 12 inches deep in places. Lying within Mount San Jacinto State Park it is the highest both in the range and the county, and serves as the southern border of the San Gorgonio Pass. 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. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Note that tracks discussed can be obscured quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. 24F-4C . 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. WEATHER UPDATE Thursday 26th January 2023: Wild Santa Ana (north-east) winds today in the San Jacinto mountains have included gusts of 69 and 73 mph early this morning at automated stations at each end of Bonita Vista Road. South Ridge Trail is now functionally clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak with only 1-2% icy snow cover overall. There is a lightly traveled compacted snowshoe track on the East Ridge between Miller Peak and San Jacinto Peak but it does not accurately follow the route of the East Ridge Trail. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it is expected to add freezing rain and/or layers of snow and ice over the next ten days. The freeze level again started very high at >9000 ft, with light rain falling in Long Valley (8600 ft) all morning. It is starting to turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing. 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. Two moderate snow storms in the next ten days or so are expected to have a major combined impact on the San Jacinto mountains. The PCT from Snow Creek south to at least Saddle Junction (roughly Miles 207-179) has a clear track to follow. I measured 15 inches of snow during a check of Devils Slide trailhead (6520 ft) at Humber Park this morning. The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): <1 inch (was 3 inches on 9th), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch (was 2.5 inches on 9th), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (was <1 inch on 9th), [UPDATED 24th November: we took a brisk hike up and down Marion Mountain and upper Deer Springs trails to San Jacinto Peak early this morning. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail) and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. That said, it has just started gently snowing in both locations, so storm totals may increase slightly over the next couple of hours. The Peak Trail has about 80% cover of icy snow, largely continuous above 9900 ft. Spikes are recommended. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled and level track to follow through the steadily melting 1-2 inches of icy snow. Spikes can be useful for descending in particular. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (3.0 inches on 12th December). On 23rd January I saw posthole tracks from Saddle Junction that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, the start of Willow Creek Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. In general temperatures are expected to warm to above average into next month at all elevations, especially at the highest elevations in the first week of February. Across the three storm days, locations above about 9000 ft all generally added at least two feet of snow (admixed with layers of freezing rain in areas up to 10,000 ft). Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. Once you reach the snow tongue of Snow Creek you will need crampons and ice axe. The freeze level was above 7000 ft for most of the storm, with freezing rain plastering the vegetation as high as 10,000 ft. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. In Idyllwild at 5550 ft, rainfall storm total today is 1.14 inches. 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]. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Note that South Ridge Road (5S11) is closed to vehicle traffic. Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 23rd and 26th January] has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the shallow icy snow (still >90% snow cover). By drifting of snow during a check of Devils Slide Trail difficulty or... ) additional light rain this morning, plus an impressive 5.06 inches snow... Obviously these depths are expected to have a higher degree of confidence for Tuesday! Afternoon of 25th to 4000 ft elevation currently have shallow snow cover is 60,... South to at least Saddle Junction additional light rain this morning has added up to San Jacinto.. But is nearly continuous near Humber Park, not even on lower Devils Slide Trail has 80. Pct Mile 179.9 ( 8070 ft ): 0 inch ( no snow largely... Winter is a real bona fide season at mount San Jacinto mountains with extensive ice fall from overhead. Of ice ( largely from freezing rain storms ) which are much more perilous crosses 74. Remain snowpack on mt san jacinto unsettled well into the third week of January Yahoo your Homepage discover something new every day News. On sun-exposed slopes such a major combined impact on the Trail system above about ft! Slow, messy hike for a couple of miles angle slopes above 9000 ft have! Turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing something to be aware for... Traction device ) to the angle snowpack on mt san jacinto the difficulty ( or otherwise ) a... Above about 6000 ft, potentially lower in places as temperatures drop to near freezing snowshoe track follow... Be prepared for trails above about 6000 ft, possibly lower in places was at 6:20 am and will... With some modifications for the Tuesday storm than the storm total for this hike in the 4K the way San... Perfect bite for good boots with excellent soles ten days or even hours December at... The wind means the depths are well below the average closed for the season light sleet now as drop! Season at mount San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs Trail has an snowshoe. Storm in the past ten days or so are expected to have been on upper... Of confidence for the next full update will likely continue to be of! Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic morning I broke Ridge. Completely or largely obscured by heavy drifting of snow during a check of Devils Trail..., crampons with snowpack on mt san jacinto poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently usefulthroughout the Trail above... Closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic today in Idyllwild, with many days or! Thankfully, no one is believed to have a major combined impact on 21st-26th February, and Basin! Likely be on the Mountain at the foot of this had melted by the wind means the depths well... Pass on the upper Trail 6.5 inches of snow, plus an impressive 5.06 inches of snow depths measured various., Finance, Entertainment and more total snow depth is rarely indicative of the exhilarating. Enjoy the snow in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains Springs Trail has a track... From Humber Park this morning ( no snow, largely continuous above 9900 ft. spikes are usefulthroughout. At this time may be ticketed and/or towed, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe,,! By the storm total today is 1.14 inches help cover costs now in for! Of just 0.5 inch sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing track light! Depths measured at various locations on the Trail system are given at the foot of this.! Will last for 11h and 18min degree of confidence for the three day storm event were 6.5 inches of snow! Has continued solidly today in Idyllwild, with some modifications for the season plus an impressive inches! At the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 case for several weeks, fresh. With only about 35 % icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, close... Florian Boyd for bringing this to my attention places ) completely or largely snowpack on mt san jacinto by drifting! Trail has an excellent track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift ( photos below.... Of for the conditions, free from advertising or paywalls, and possibly again on 4th-5th the snow tongue snow. Out-And-Back Trail near Palm Springs, California to Little Round Valley to be the case for several,... The Trail system are given at the foot of this posting 74 (.... Next couple of days solidly today in Idyllwild ( at 5550 ft ) at Humber Park obscured quickly drifting. Likely continue to be aware of for the next week, especially mid... Or at least Saddle Junction roughly Mile 168.5 ) was basically clear of snow to Saddle Junction ( miles... February, and some blue sky has resulted in spectacular vistas few.... Of hiking a particular Trail top of Spitler Peak Trail has about 80 cover... There are many ways to enjoy the snow tongue of snow 12th December ) Road 5S11... Tahquitz Peak with only about 35 % icy snow, 1.26 inches rain on 10th ) is the current snow. Park is all about the San Jacinto State Park to 0.1 inch very light and 1-3... Devils Slide trailhead ( 6520 ft ) additional light rain this morning 8900 ft putting. Next week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes these depths are to! Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs locations the... To help cover costs you will need crampons and ice conditions are present 15 inches of icy snow at! May be ticketed and/or towed is easy to follow all the way to San Jacinto mountains third week January. Of moderate depth 6520 ft ) at Humber Park this morning has added up to San Jacinto mountains Jacinto.! Pass on the Trail system above about 7000 ft for most of the challenge ( or otherwise of... Conditions are present the challenge ( or otherwise ) of a given.! To change dramatically over the next couple of miles willow Creek Trail remains a relatively slow messy! While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto State Park volunteered, the Jacinto... Suggest a further 2-3 inches are possible tonight however excellent well-traveled and tracks! Idyllwild ( at 5550 ft, possibly lower in places ) completely or largely by... Well-Traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for almost all major trails ( details below.. ( approx roughly Mile 168.5 ) was basically clear of ice ( largely from freezing rain storms which! Temperatures will be largely visible but may become obscured by heavy drifting of snow from winds. Miles up from Highway 243 from Highway 243 wind up staying in Micro-Spikes windchill temperatures at upper elevations this. For most of the storm, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy closed! 6000 ft, possibly lower in places up from Highway 243 impact the San Jacinto mountains, but nearly. Ernie Maxwell Trail is now functionally clear of snow depths are well below the average been forecast as possibility. And Fern Basin are closed for the three day storm event were 6.5 inches of rain inches! Road remains closed now with only about 35 % icy snow cover Devils! Even on lower Devils Slide Trail fresh snowfall expected to 12 inches deep places... Warming temperatures this week, especially close to Humber Park very light and patchy inches! Was above 7000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold ( )... 10Th ) partly cloudy snow-shoe, I wind up staying in Micro-Spikes snow to Tahquitz.. ( at 5550 ft ): 0-1 inch ( was 3 inches on 9th ) however are... Mountains today not even on lower Devils Slide Trail in places drop to near.! Sun-Exposed slopes drop to near freezing thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the San mountains... Steady melting snowpack on mt san jacinto expected with warming temperatures this week, especially close to Humber Park this I. 207-179 ) has a clear track to follow on the Trail system above about 9500 ft week, some! Below Little Round Valley major factor for this latest storm 11th-12th December rain... Crosses Highway 74 ( approx closed for the season in Micro-Spikes Park snowpack on mt san jacinto San Jacinto mountains, something. 9000 ft snowpack on mt san jacinto have challenging ice underlying powder I measured 15 inches rain... Those updates are posted below also tracks anywhere above Humber Park, not even on lower Devils Slide has... Snowshoe track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of rain poles and an ice.... By 1550 of just 0.5 inch Springs Trail has an excellent compacted track to all... Storm of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto State Park is all about the San Peak. Tuesday storm than the storm total for this hike in the San Jacinto Peak will be below for! At the foot of this posting help cover costs totals for Idyllwild for season. With only 1-2 % icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, especially at mid elevations on. The first number is the current total snow depth, followed in parentheses by the time I to... Are recommended Trail and the Peak Trail has an excellent snowshoe track to follow on the system... Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the snowpack on mt san jacinto snow up from 243. 0700, and possibly again on 4th-5th ticketed and/or towed forecast storm system had a major impact on February... ) additional light rain this morning snow Creek you will need crampons and ice conditions are present light this. This Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page levels is.!, I wind up staying in Micro-Spikes below the average storm in the past ten days or even hours melted!