I recorded a short video at the Peak late morning on the 13th, available here on YouTube. Waterproof or highly water resistant footwear is recommended. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter especially at weekends and holiday periods then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. UPDATE Sunday 1st January 2023: A moderate overnight storm produced 1.53 inches of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550ft). Weather near Middle Fork Jumpoff Last report from Apple Valley, CA 26.7km away Temperature: 18C / 64F Wind: . $2,480,000 Last Sold Price. Be trail aware Watch your surroundings, the trail looks different when you are coming back down. Trip Report. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations. It is starting to turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing. With at least two further snowfalls expected in the next few days, and strong winds in the high country expected for the next week causing substantial daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system will remain largely obscured by light to moderate snow until the second week of January. Amounts listed may (6), Images If there are Road Closed signs further down often the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Hiking Mount San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek Trail is quite the challenge. I recorded a short video at the Peak, available here on YouTube. For water information, please visit the PCT Water Report. Comments Off on Updated El Dorado closure area. Kenneth Smith, 66, of Yucaipa died Jan. 5 while ice climbing in the Forest Falls area, not far from where Barbour is missing now. Avalanche risk in the high country is currently minimal due to snow depths and conditions, with the exception of the traditionally unstable north face of San Jacinto Peak which avalanches to some extent every winter. 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. From the top of Marion Mountain Trail icy snow cover is about 90% to Little Round Valley, although there are a few lengthy clear areas on sun-exposed sections. Give yourself plenty of time if taking this route as the snow adds much effort. Between November 2021 and May 2022, 61 downed trees were removed and almost the entire trail thoroughly trimmed and cleared. "The vegetation is not strong in burned areas; more rocks are falling than ever before in those areas. Devils Slide Trail has a very lightly traveled track to Saddle Junction in place. Spikes are recommended. Sadly it is looking increasingly likely that neither storm will significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. With some melting already underway and compaction caused by freeze-thaw cycles and hiker traffic, conditions will deteriorate for snowshoeing over the next few days, especially on more heavily traveled trails below 9000ft. Current Trail Conditions Some hikers will find spikes are useful at least for descending. The high country currently has the deepest snow accumulation in the San Jacinto mountains in almost four years, since March 2019. However this may change next week with new snowfall possible as discussed below. Alternatively snowshoes could have been used for much of the hike. These concerns may steadily increase over the next few weeks with rising then falling temperatures, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak (multiple photos below). The TOPOZONE MAP states an elevation of 11,499 feet shown at the trail's end at the higher summit. "Especially on the north-facing slopes, it has remained extremely cold up there," he said. 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. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. South Ridge Road remains closed now with only about 35% icy snow cover. If full, drive down to bottom entrance area where there is an overflow parking lot. Contact the San Bernardino National Forest, San Gorgonio Ranger District, 34701 Mill Creek Rd., Mentone, CA 92359 (909) 794-1123 or fax (909) 794-1125. 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). 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 Vivian Creek route is the most popular, South Fork is #2 Put on snowshoes and went up to the base of San Gorgonio . Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and clearly 2023 will be no exception. Great snowshoeing in the Winter. 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. This will likely continue to be the case for several weeks, given fresh snowfall expected. Two more significant atmospheric river storm systems are forecast on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th, and on 16th-18th. 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. ABC7 reports the . Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. Rain started overnight in Idyllwild, and by late this afternoon (at 1550) totals 1.22 inch. According to "tarol" Adventure Passes are now required at only the Vivian, Momyer, and South Fork Trailheads - the other SG Wilderness Trailheads are free. Two moderate snow storms in the next ten days or so are expected to have a major combined impact on the San Jacinto mountains. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 8 inches (8-9 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4 inches (total 4 inches). Hi Tyler, welcome to SoCalHiker.net! Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by drifting snow. Thank you for taking the time to read this. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. This was tricky for postholing which went through the ice layer. 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. Early on Wednesday 18th January I barebooted up Devils Slide Trail (which I had broken to Saddle the previous morning). Round Valley is the campsite along the trail to San Jacinto from the Long Valley ranger station. 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. February has been more settled than the very eventful January, but temperatures remain on something of a rollercoaster ride. 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. 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. February 2011 recorded 45.5 inches, and there were 45.5 inches in March 2006. 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). Watch for trail junctions, dont just follow your feet without looking up. 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. 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. This is a popular trail for backpacking, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Yesterday afternoon we checked Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park, and measured an average snow depth of 26 inches. Three periods of cold, cloudy days are now expected over the next ten days, but little if any precipitation.]. There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. The total snow accumulation was ultimately very close to that forecast in the days immediately prior to the storm. http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3846020. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter at weekends and holidays then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. It is especially obscure 0.1-0.3 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious near Caramba. However I was surprised to find almost all of this had melted by the time I hiked to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. That said, temperatures in the high country are much more typical of December than April! Marion Mountain Trail (surveyed at least weekly in past month) has a very well-defined track to follow. Section B. Warner Springs to I-10/San Gorgonio Pass. Total Wages: Total wages reported by the employer from Box 5 of the W-2, with some exceptions, and Elected Officials who received pay reported on IRS Form 1099. There were posthole tracks heading south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow in its upper switchbacks to the PCT. The San Gorgonio Campground provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, as well as a beautiful location in which to enjoy nature. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. For those that are unclear, the Skyline Trail is the first segment of the C2C (Cactus to clouds) from Palm Springs up to Grubbs Notch (Long Valley). At the Peak on Monday 23rd January 2023 at 1010 the air temperature was 11.1F (-11C), with a windchill temperature of -16.2F (-26C), 47% relative humidity, and a bitter NNE wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 4-5 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 4 inches on 24th (was approx. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. The source is here. This may change after the weekend. United States government. Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. Often spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. All trails above about 5500 ft are largely snow-covered (wholly snow-covered above about 7000 ft). Ernie Maxwell Trail has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the continuous snow cover a few inches deep. Print. This information will be updated daily over the next week as details are changing significantly with every new forecast. This will change later this week. However the snow conditions may not be suitable for snowshoeing on certain slopes, as described above. It's nearly 20 miles, a 5,600 foot elevation gain and it reaches 11,503 feet! Read About these trails in our Hiking Guide . Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Snowshoes are currently not required on the established trail system, which is now too heavily traveled and compacted for snowshoes. Even experienced hikers should understand that winter ice hiking requires Alpine mountaineering equipment and skills, authorities said. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, plus an ice axe (and thorough knowledge of how to use it) are currently required for traversing these slopes. 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. A minor storm on the night of Tuesday 21st will include severe cold and severe winds, followed by milder, moderate storm on 22nd-23rd, and then an unusual atmospheric river combined with very cold air again producing heavy snowfall for 23rd-25th February. View San Gorgonio Image Gallery - 231 Images. MLS # EV23032625 On the morning of Monday 12th a further 2.5 inches of snow settled in Idyllwild. An additional 5.5 inches of snow fell in Idyllwild overnight, rather more than forecast, meaning we had to dig out yet again this morning. Current expectations are only for 1-2 inches of snow at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild) and not much more at higher elevations, perhaps 2-3 inches with each storm. The Thursday system will be significantly warmer, with a freeze level not dropping below about 7000 ft. Precipitation at the elevation of Idyllwild should therefore be rain (0.5-0.7 inch currently forecast), which may therefore largely melt and remove the snow that had fallen earlier in the week at that elevation. Jeff H. Keymaster. Conditions are currently excellent for avalanches on specific terrain in the San Jacinto high country, as proven below. Moderate snow has continued for the past few hours at San Jacinto Peak, with a storm total so far of about 7.5 inches. Early on Monday 23rd January I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) that I had broken last Wednesday 18th, and descended the west side via (more-or-less) Deer Springs Trail. The best times to visit this trail are May through November. 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. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. At the Peak on Thursday 24th November 2022 at 0810 the air temperature was 29.0F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 5.7F (-15C), 16% relative humidity, and a severe NNW wind sustained at 25 mph gusting to 35.1 mph. Looking for partner (s) for these tentative scheduled hikes - see my Meetup SoCal Mountain Running & Mountaineering or DM me for more info. Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by any additional light snowfall and/or especially by drifting snow from strong winds. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. The highest probability of precipitation is early morning on Friday 2nd. 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. This is a summary of conditions following the second significant Pacific storm of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. Spikes are not required. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is clear of snow. This is expected to be a seasonal closure until next year. Complete list of supporters, I-10/San Gorgonio Pass to I-15/Cajon Pass, Hwy-14/Agua Dulce to Hwy-58/Mojave-Tehachapi, Hwy-58/Mojave-Tehachapi to Hwy-178/Walker Pass, Hwy-138/Mt. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 4-5 inches (5.5 inches on 12th December), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 4-6 inches (6 inches on 12th December), Long Valley (8600 ft): 3-4 inches (5-6 inches on 12th December), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Saddle Junction/approx. With such mild storms this winter, it is interesting to speculate how much snow would currently be around the high peaks if air temperatures had been just a couple of degrees cooler. Both days I put spikes on at the Peak for the descent, on 24th keeping them on until about 8000 ft on Marion Mountain Trail, and on 28th until about 9900 ft on the Peak Trail, roughly one mile north of Wellman Divide. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. Authorities were able to locate and rescue two 17-year-old hikers who were lost for several days on the Pacific . However it is thinning rapidly everywhere, and will look radically different in a week or so. Please report trail conditions. Indeed the final third of December may be one of the warmest on record for the holiday period. Temperatures are forecast to remain near or below seasonal averages for at least the next week, with freezing conditions every night above about 4000 ft elevation. This can't be correct. The 2,700 sq. Conditions prior to this storm had been unsettled for several days, with a minor storm overnight on 27th-28th December. ) or https:// means you've safely Florian Boyd kindly reported this morning that snow has dusted down to 4500 ft on the lower (open) section of Skyline Trail. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 23rd January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will certainly remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country well into February at least. No tracks had made it as far as Chinquapin from Saddle Junction at that time. We have had an excellent start to 2023 regarding the water and snow situations in the San Jacinto mountains. Current snow depth at Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park is 4-5 inches on top of 1-2 inches of ice/icy snow from recent freezing rain. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including chunks I have estimated as weighing 40-100 lb this winter, which can dislodge dramatically once direct sunlight warms the trees. A few minor patches exist close to the top. Drive northeast for about 14 miles to the intersection with Valley of the Falls Road. Explore this 19.0-mile out-and-back trail near Forest Falls, California. On 13th, Idyllwild received 2.75 inches, and I measured five inches at San Jacinto Peak, with 3-4 inches at locations in between. 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. Mt. The South Fork Trail is over 10 miles one-way. The 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. Trails above about 7500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft). 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. 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. 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. 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). On 24th and 28th we barebooted to the Peak on well-traveled and compacted tracks through light icy snow. When plowed Humber will remain very icy for the next few days at least. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. Map Information. This will continue to be the case for at least a week, given fresh snowfall expected. Locations in between, especially those on the western and southern slopes, added more with up to five inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). Our Council owns and operates Skyland Ranch, a magnificent 192-acre camp property in the San Jacinto Mountains below the town of Idyllwild, and Camp Azalea Trails, a remote camp setting located outside of Idyllwild. On 19th the cold icy early morning snow had good bite for grippy boots and I barebooted all the way to San Jacinto Peak. After some early sleety drizzle it has been snowing in Long Valley (8600 ft) since late morning with 0.75 inch accumulating so far. Camping on the mountain or anywhere within the San Gorgonio Wilderness requires a permit that can be obtained from the San Gorgonio Ranger District at 34701 Mill Creek Road in Mentone, CA. Treacherous ice is the common denominator in three of the four deaths, and the disappearances of Kumm and Barbour, said Sgt. The areas closed on June 17, as a result of the 31,359 acre Lake Fire. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. That said, the going was extremely easy as the rain layer on top of the snow remaining for earlier storms had completely frozen, so I was only having to break trail through an inch or two of fine powder. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. 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). This will make trail conditions more complicated, and if in any doubt whatsoever carry and use traction devices accordingly (see discussion in introduction above). Just wanted to note your elevation source for 11,490' lists the elevation @ 11,499'. Measurements taken on Monday 30th were unchanged by Wednesday 1st. As forecast, the storm came in two main waves, with the bulk of the precipitation falling for most of the daylight hours of Sunday 11th, followed by a remarkably calm and clear night, and then a much less intense period of snowfall between about 0800-1300 on Monday 12th. 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 next, much more substantial, wave of snow arrives later this afternoon. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. The permits can be obtained at the Ranger Station in Mentone, 34701 Mill Creek Rd. So rather than being a once-in-a-generation event, this may prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime event for most Idyllwild residents. There are three designated wilderness campsites on this trail: Vivian Creek Camp at 7,100' (no camping within 200 feet of the trail or creek), Halfway Camp at 8,100' (water is obtained from the creek 200 . Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. However the fresh powder is very fine and drifting heavily in the strong SW wind, and I had 2-3 inches in places in the upper Peak Trail. Year round. Section C/D: Sold - 40789 Oregon Trail, Cherry Valley, CA - $1,695. Freeze levels will be well below 3000 ft at times, and for example Garner Valley (4300-4800 ft) could receive as much as 6-12 inches of snow this week. Remarkably Tropical Storm Kay did not add any new treefall hazards to this trail. San Bernardino Nat. The open section of trail below 5800 ft is clear of snow. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. It does not accurately follow the established trail route in significant sections but is navigable. Snow covered Mt. 0:04. Gary Suttle's book lists it as 8.4mi. Even as melting proceeds steadily (details below), trails are very icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, and spikes are recommended throughout the trail system above about 8000 ft (lower in places). These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. Spikes are recommended. By comparison, approximately 42 inches were recorded in February 2023 (provisional data). Marion Mountain Trail [updated 15th] has a mix of snowshoe and posthole tracks all the way up to its junction with Deer Springs Trail. 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave. Spikes are recommended. Take a look here . Deer Springs Trail has a posthole track to follow along its entire length. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and it is already clear that 2023 will be no exception. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin, and the State Park campground at Stone Creek, are closed for the season. Aminian's body was found Jan. 14. 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. 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. So we recommend getting your permit in advance! Section E. Hwy-14/Agua Dulce to Hwy-58/Mojave-Tehachapi . On Friday 20th I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. Trail Conditions. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 10-12 inches (12-14 inches on 12th December), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 9 inches (10-12 inches on 12th December), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 2-4 inches (7 inches on 12th December), Annies Junction/approx. Skyline Trail is now largely clear, but has very limited patchy, thin, icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch).
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