Rapid melting of snow on sun-exposed slopes and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. Spikes are not generally required for ascending, but most hikers will find them useful for descending. 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. Every year seems to have its challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Mount San Jacinto State Park is all about the San Jacinto Mountains. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Every year seems to have unique challenges and 2023 is already proving to be no exception. The second storm on 15th-16th is expected to be colder with a lower freeze level which may result in 1-2 inches of snow down to 5000 ft or possibly even lower. 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. Snow expected in the high country in the early hours of Wednesday 28th is not expected to be sufficient to obscure some of the higher elevation trails and complicate navigation. There is disagreement between the forecast models where the freeze level will be for most of Sunday 11th which may alter the potential snowfall amounts (versus rainfall) at mid elevations. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Deer Springs Trail (surveyed 8th December) is functionally clear of ice to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft). However this may change next week with new snowfall possible as discussed below. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the winter. Thank you so much for your support. Most significantly in terms of snow conditions daytime temperatures at all elevations will be well above freezing for about a week starting 20th. The latest Trail Report (linked here) mentions the increasing avalanche risk with recent heavy wind-loaded snowfall on top of the icy pre-existing snow, and how avalanches occur every winter on the north face (contrary to erroneous information in recent local media stories). On the morning of Monday 12th a further 2.5 inches of snow settled in Idyllwild. Moderate snow has continued for the past few hours at San Jacinto Peak, with a storm total so far of about 7.5 inches. While many hundreds of hours of time and effort are volunteered every year, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover modest operating costs. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. Relatively little snow is therefore expected throughout the mid elevations including Idyllwild. The snow quickly turned into semi-melted slush. 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. 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. Devils Slide Trail has a traveled and largely compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. The open section of trail below 5800 ft is clear of snow. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains 3-8 inches deep in places. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Temperatures have been largely above seasonal in the first week of the month, then following a brief cold spell another period of temperatures well above seasonal is forecast for 8th-10th. Please check this page for periodic updates throughout the storms (the most recent is at the top). The main track is clearest just above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. 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). Altitudes are approximate. 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. Some 37 trees are down on the Forest Service section of this trail between Skunk Cabbage Junction and the State Park boundary (23rd September 2022 survey). This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including many chunks I have estimated as weighing 40-100 lb this winter, which can dislodge dramatically once direct sunlight warms the trees. Areas here at 6500-7000 ft had had much less snow than a few miles further north, only 0.5-1.0 inch depth. Note that tracks are being obscured very quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in hours or even minutes (see photo below). Both trails were virtually completely clear of snow. The Get it Done app can help you report blocked storm drains, potholes, and broken streetlights. Tracks are in place around Skunk Cabbage Meadow, and south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. . 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. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. There is a well-traveled track on continuous light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. 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. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 11th January 2023 at 0915 the air temperature was 24.0F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 5.8F (-15C), 74% relative humidity, and a bitter NNW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 24.5 mph. Following the twelfth storm system of this winter on 29th-30th January, temperatures have largely swung to well above seasonal, with melting underway at all elevations, but especially below 8000 ft. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, potentially lower in places. Conditions are forecast to remain very unsettled for the first week of January. Snow. New treefall hazards on major trails have been reported to relevant agencies, and those on Spitler Peak Trail have already been cleared by the Trail 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. These concerns may steadily increase over the next few weeks with rising then falling temperatures, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt. 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. 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). The northeast . 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. Trails down to 4000 ft elevation currently have shallow snow cover. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for almost all major trails (details below). 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. Rain has continued solidly today in Idyllwild, with another 0.90 inch since 0700 this morning. South Ridge Trail [surveyed 10th Feb] is largely snow free until Old Lookout Flat at 7600 ft (c.15% snow cover). As discussed above, additional light snowfall on 3rd and 5th January will further complicate the trail conditions. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park remains open and the parking area has been largely plowed. 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. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. 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). 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. Hundreds of SoCal students snowed in at mountain camps for days. Wet winters can dump several feet of snow, while dry winters may only result in a few inches here and there. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Two new trees were down on the upper trail, unsurprising given the huge weight of ice from freezing rain plastered all over the trees. 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). Temperatures during and after both storms are forecast to be below seasonal for late November, colder than the storm system in early November, and windy and hence especially cold in the high country. It wasnt until early in the morning on Wednesday 9th, by which time the bulk of the storm system had passed, that the snow level fell to near 5000 ft, with 0.75 inch snow recorded at 5550 ft elevation. Snowshoes are no longer required on the established trail system, which is now too compacted for snowshoes. At the Peak on Monday 7th November 2022 at 1715 the air temperature was 28.4F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 12.7F (-11C), 93% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 22.0 mph. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder. 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). Only five of these require cutting, and I was able to remove three by hand last week. Southwest Montana snowpacks rebounded in February after storms dumped an impressive amount of snow on the area's river basins, according to a Natural Resources Conservation Service report . Deer Springs Trail has a broken track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak. 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. Provisional forecasts suggest the later storm systems, around 25th-27th February, could produce much more significant snowfall, potentially 10-12 inches in Idyllwild and 24+ inches at the highest elevations. As of this morning, I saw no other broken tracks on the high country trail system. The number given is the current average total snow depth. South Ridge Road remains closed now with only about 35% icy snow cover. It stopped snowing at about 0800. 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. The storm expected on 28th November failed to materialize, producing only below average temperatures, wind, and spectacular clouds (photos below). 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. So, to see something like this happen is very rare.. They may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Note that tracks discussed can be obscured quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter especially at weekends and holiday periods after fresh snowfall then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Melting of snow on sun-exposed slopes and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. 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. Those systems are summarized here: Conditions will remain very unsettled throughout the second and third weeks of January. Tap on a box to see the date. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. Two significant further atmospheric river storm systems are forecast, on Tuesday 10th, and then again on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th. The highest probability of precipitation is early morning on Friday 2nd. The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are described by the Forest Service as not maintained. Below is an excellent videograb of an avalanche in the Snow Creek drainage on the north face of San Jacinto Peak that was witnessed by friend of the Trail Report Catherine Peterson yesterday morning at about 0840. Spikes not required to that elevation. This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since February 2019. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. 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). There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (3.0 inches on 12th December). This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since the Great Valentines Day flood of 2019. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. That said, a moderate snow storm is forecast for Sunday 29th to Monday 30th January, with up to six inches of snow forecast above about 5000 ft, possibly up to 12 inches above 10,000 ft, and a freeze level down to 4000 ft. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location followed in parentheses by the maximum depth where known so far this winter, generally immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. The fourteenth and fifteenth storm systems of winter 2022/23, both of them minor but having a significant effect in combination, impacted the San Jacinto mountains back-to-back on 13th and 14th February. From the top of Marion, the route is well-traveled but pretty uneven, up into Little Round Valley. All have been reported to US Forest Service. But in 2020, two people had to be rescued when they were caught in an avalanche while hiking in. Indeed there were no other tracks anywhere above Humber Park, not even on lower Devils Slide Trail. South Ridge Trail (surveyed 26th and 30th November) is now functionally clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak with only 1-2% icy snow cover overall. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 9-10 inches (total 11-12 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (8-9 inches), Saddle Junction/approx. Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. Mt. The route does not follow the established trail for the most part, and steepens considerably as it nears Wellman Divide. Additional moderate snowfall is tentatively forecast for 28th February-1st March. 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