The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). 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. Some winters are better than others, with wet years producing several feet of snow in the high country, while dry years producing a dusting or two. Although excellent tracks are now in place for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. The forecasts are very unsettled for the next week, but significant snowfall arrives on Saturday 31st (12+ inches expected in the high country) and may continue on/off until Friday 6th January 2023, potentially totaling 2-3 feet above 10,000 ft elevation. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Use this relief map to navigate to mountain peaks in the area of Mount San Jacinto Peak. If there are Road Closed signs further down at the junction with Forest Drive sometimes the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Three periods of cold, cloudy days are now expected over the next ten days, but little if any precipitation.]. Trail conditions are updated below. Some of the storms are expected to be very cold with snow levels below 3000 ft, and, for example, Garner Valley may receive between 6-12 inches of snow by early March. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. However a brief frigid interlude on 5th-6th February included a very light overnight snowfall at all elevations above 5000 ft, with 0.75 inch in Idyllwild, increasing to 1.5 inch at San Jacinto Peak. Further strong winds and blowing powder had eliminated much of these tracks again by Wednesday, and I again largely re-broke trail that day too. Additional moderate snowfall is tentatively forecast for 28th February-1st March. With significant further snowfalls expected in the next week (at least), and moderate to strong winds in the high country expected for many of those days causing some daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system may remain completely or somewhat obscured by snow throughout most or all of January. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for almost all major trails (details below). Recently I have mentioned the challenges of hard, icy snow underfoot and the value of using spikes (and/or crampons) especially for descending and traversing. Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). Devils Slide Trail has a traveled and largely compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. A second forecast storm system may bring some light precipitation to the San Jacinto mountains on 2nd December, and possibly again on 4th-5th. This will make trail conditions more complicated, and if in any doubt whatsoever carry and use traction devices accordingly (see discussion in introduction above). The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Snow cover is only 50% below 6700 ft, about 95% up to 7200 ft, and continuous thereafter. Nothing unduly dangerous, but something to be aware of for the next couple of days. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for most of the major trails (details below). Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track to follow. 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. The system was generally very mild, with the freeze level near 8000 ft, but this is expected to drop overnight, by which time the precipitation will have largely passed. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for mid to upper elevations (at least >6000 ft) for the foreseeable future. Snowshoes are not required anywhere, as recent experience has shown that off-trail snow is now too shallow and/or patchy for snowshoes. For both storms snow estimates for the highest elevations range from 10-15 inches, with perhaps only an inch of snow in Idyllwild following some rainfall. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently lightly (or above 8000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. 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. From there I used snowshoes to ascend via Annies Junction and Wellman Divide. 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. 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. The traverse from Old Lookout Flat to the bottom of the switchbacks has about 40% icy snow cover. Schwartz said she and a friend were driving west to Palm Springs on Interstate 10 at about 9 a.m. local time when the friend saw the snow start to move. 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. 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. Preview trail California , United States , 33.81N 116.68W, 3047m asl. Precipitation has been steady at mid and upper elevations for the past few hours. One thing Holden was sure of, however, is that Sundays avalanche appeared to be no joke. At the Peak on Monday 6th February 2023 at 0930 the air temperature was 11.1F (-12C), with a windchill temperature of -11.0F (-24C), 59% relative humidity, and a frigid NNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 20.2 mph. South Ridge Road (5S11) is also currently closed to vehicle traffic. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to Saddle Junction. Spikes are not essential but will be useful for most hikers, especially for descending. 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. My track largely follows the established trail routes, with some modifications for the conditions. Top Stories. per adult. There I generally put on Kahtoola microspikes for the descent. I ultimately kept my Kahtoola microspikes on until just past the top of Marion Mountain Trail, but could have removed them somewhat sooner. Check out the Mount San Jacinto State Park, CA WinterCast. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Two more significant atmospheric river storm systems are forecast on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th, and on 16th-18th. 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). Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. 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 icy snow. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular track or trail. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. See their announcement here. Marion Mountain Trail (surveyed at least weekly in past month) has a very well-defined track to follow. My snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junction through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide , the Peak Trail, and East Ridge, but this may become obscured by additional light snowfall and/or drifting snow from strong winds. All trails above about 8000 ft are obscured by snow at this time, and cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. 2-3 inches on 9th November), Saddle Junction/approx. 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. Remarkably Tropical Storm Kay did not add any new treefall hazards to this trail. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations for the foreseeable future. At the Peak on Thursday 17th November 2022 at 0825 the air temperature was 36.3F (2C), with a windchill temperature of 29.5F (-1C), 10% relative humidity, and a cool NW breeze sustained at 3 mph gusting to 6.3 mph. Snowshoes are currently not required on the established trail system, which is now too heavily traveled and compacted for snowshoes. The next comprehensive Report update is not expected before Wednesday 18th January. At the Peak on Saturday 31st December 2022 at 1650 the air temperature was 24.9F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 4.8F (-15C), 62% relative humidity, and a bitter WSW wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 30.1 mph. Nevertheless, snowshoes will be valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000ft for the foreseeable future, and on trail where tracks have not yet been broken. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. It is safest for all concerned that hikers hike the Trail rather than the highways. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. While they are not strictly required, depending upon your expertise level hiking on shallow variable icy snow, mixed with slush and ice patches (itself depending on time of day and sun exposure), spikes will continue become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails undergo freeze-thaw cycles and become further consolidated by hiker traffic. Only five of these require cutting, and I was able to remove three by hand earlier in February. Often spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. 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. 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. 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. Snow cover is about 80% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter essentially continuous to San Jacinto Peak. 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. My track largely followed the established route of the trail, especially below the Fuller Ridge junction, but higher up the track is much more direct in places. 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. Not required on the established Trail routes, with some modifications for foreseeable! Rather than the highways not essential but will be useful for most trails. Dangerous, but could have removed them somewhat sooner south Ridge Road 5S11. Is not expected before Wednesday 18th January about 5000 ft are obscured by snow at this time, I! 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