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. This is the flattest portion of the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains, and snow depth currently averages about 13 inches. 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. 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. This may change after the weekend. Thank you so much for your support. 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. While expected to be relatively mild at first with rain above 9000 ft, overall this next sequence of storms may prove to be colder than most of the recent systems. Trails above about 7500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft). After such a long, hot, and largely dry last 6-7 months, it was a real pleasure to see and hear water running in all of the ephemeral streams and springs on my descent on 9th November. Many locations below 9000 ft had actually experienced a net loss of snow depth, as the (relatively) warm rain had melted and compacted the pre-existing snow, and so little new snow fell subsequently. Precipitation at the elevation of Idyllwild fell largely as rain (1.79 inches) before turning to thunder snow starting at 1235 on Sunday afternoon (currently accumulated to 1.5 inch but still snowing as I write this). 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. To Tahquitz Peak snow cover averages about 40%, alternating on the 18 switchbacks between those that are largely clear (south-facing) and those that are largely snow-covered (north-facing). Current known total accumulations are 4 inches in Idyllwild, 6 inches at Devils Slide Trailhead, 9 inches at Saddle Junction, and 8 inches at Long Valley. As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently snow-covered. Mammoth Lakes, traditionally one of the snowiest places in California, had nearly 4 feet (1.2 meters) of snow over the past three days. Deer Springs Trail (surveyed 8th December) is functionally clear of ice to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft). In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) it started raining at 1100, where it has been relatively slow to accumulate so far, with 0.4 inch by 1500. My track largely follows the established trail routes, with some modifications for the conditions. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. 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. Similarly, Long Valley (8600ft) added about two inches overnight for a storm total of about seven inches and a current total depth of about 15 inches. Very fine snow fell briefly this evening. My blogging throughout the storms gave more day-to-day detail and is available here. With compaction of the trails in the second week of January, snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country for the foreseeable future. A strong and bitterly cold NNE wind made conditions interesting, with large parts of the broken tracks filling in overnight with spindrift (and wind blown ice blocks), so I found myself breaking lengthy sections of trail yet again. UPDATE #2 for 10th November 2022: It was disappointing late this morning to see southbound PCT hikers trying to hike down Highway 243 from Idyllwild to Mountain Center. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. Semi trucks parked at the Golden Acorn Casino & Travel Center in Boulevard are shown on Feb. 24, 2023. Currently there is less than three feet of snow at San Jacinto Peak; I suspect it would be 5-8 feet had we had fractionally cooler conditions in the past month. Thankfully, no one is believed to have been on the mountain at the time. However they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9500 ft for the foreseeable future. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. Further light snow is expected starting this evening, followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March. As last week, I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. In recent days we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. Snowshoes will remain valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000 ft for the foreseeable future. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 2 inches (was 3 inches on 9th), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): patchy 0.5-1.0 inch (was 2.5 inches on 9th). Stone Creek campground had also closed, then reopened for Thanksgiving weekend. 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. Deer Springs Trail has a posthole track to follow along its entire length. 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. 2-3 inches on 9th), Saddle Junction/approx. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.5 inches (total 3.5 inch). 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). As encouraging as that is, it should be noted that snow accumulation at San Jacinto Peak is only at about 65% of the depth in March 2019, and this winter overall remains well below the historical average for snow in the high country, despite recent events. Conditions are forecast to remain very unsettled for the first week of January. Although excellent tracks are now in place and clearly visible for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. 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. Deep snow at 10,500 feet 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. Snow cover is about 60% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter >90% to San Jacinto Peak. Regardless, always be prepared for snowy/icy conditions. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has no steps to follow through the steeply angled ice with overlying deep snow. In Idyllwild at 5550 ft, rainfall storm total today is 1.14 inches. There is a very well-traveled track through increasingly patchy thin icy snow from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. At the Peak on Friday 6th January 2023 at 0930 the air temperature was 25.7F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 14.7F (-10C), 44% relative humidity, and a chilly NNW breeze sustained at 5 mph gusting to 10.6 mph. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Spikes were not required even for descending on 14th. The northeast . Feb. 28, 2023 6:07 AM PT. Altitudes are approximate. Above that elevation, icy snow is almost continuous to Saddle Junction. Rainfall may continue at mid elevations potentially for several consecutive days, and the relative warmth of the air masses may produce rain and/or freezing rain as high as San Jacinto Peak, challenging layers of icy or mixed snow/ice conditions at all elevations, and perhaps melting of much preexisting snow below about 8000 ft. Current forecasts for precipitation suggest as much as three inches of rain around the elevation of Idyllwild (5000-6000 ft) between the afternoon of Tuesday 27th December 2022 and Wednesday 4th January 2023. 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). Wednesday. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. While all time and effort is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report requests small private donations to cover costs. Altitudes are approximate. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-1 inches (3.5 inches on 12th December). However the track is very useful and it is best to follow that route. 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. On the afternoon of 18th I saw posthole tracks that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. Snowfall at the elevation of Long Valley (8600 ft) has been similarly steady, and 3-4 inches of fresh powder there takes the total depth close to one foot. Forecasts the expected snowfall amount, snow accumulation, and with snowfall radar. I barebooted to Saddle, and then snowshoed back down to help consolidate the track. A major warming trend will significantly change conditions on the trail system in the next week or two. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. from. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Tuesday 6th December 2022 at 1530 the air temperature was 19.9F (-7C), with a windchill temperature of 3.8F (-16C), 18% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 13.2 mph. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 9th November 2022 at 0820 the air temperature was 14.5F (-10C), with a windchill temperature of -7.8F (-22C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 30.5 mph. Melting has already reduced the snow cover to 90% as far as Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. 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). Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (possibly lower in places) obscured by moderate snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. I hope to provide more information on the high country situation on Sunday 26th, depending on conditions/weather. Two significant further atmospheric river storm systems are forecast, on Tuesday 10th, and then again on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th. MT. no traction device) to 9000 ft on a lightly traveled and lumpy posthole track through thin icy snow. Alternatively snowshoes could have been used, depending on personal preference and time of day. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. The storm brought down four new treefall hazards down on upper Spitler Peak Trail, awkward but all passable with care. The number given is the current average total snow depth. UPDATE Wednesday 28th December: the overnight rain storm produced 0.73 inch in Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft) while Long Valley (8600 ft) led San Jacinto mountain locations in rainfall with 1.01 inch. 25F-4C. On Thursday 15th I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) and descended the west side via Deer Springs Trail, while on Monday 19th we hiked to the Peak up and down the east side trails. Climbed Mt San Jacinto from Idyllwild. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 0-1 inch (was 3 inches on 9th November), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch (was 2.5 inches on 9th November), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (was <1 inch on 9th November). Winter is a real bona fide season at Mount San Jacinto State Park. Spikes are generally not required. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches, Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 2.5 inches (melting already underway this afternoon). 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. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there has been extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Obviously these depths are expected to change dramatically over the next few days. UPDATE Tuesday 10th January: Another minor and relatively warm storm is passing through our mountains today. 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