snowpack on mt san jacinto

The State Park campground at Stone Creek is also closed. Devils Slide Trail is largely clear of icy snow to about 7400 ft (Middle Spring) although some extended patches remain below that. For our first foray into snowshoeing, we chose a really easy option taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tram up to Mount San Jacinto State Park. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Trails remain icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, and spikes are useful throughout the trail system above about 9000 ft (lower in places). Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. The second significant Pacific storm of winter 2022/23 is currently impacting the San Jacinto mountains. 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. In recent days we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. The week from 21st-26th December may be among the warmest on record for the year-end holiday period. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing above about 7000 ft, where trails havent been too heavily traveled and compacted. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and it is already clear that 2023 will be no exception. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently lightly (or above 8000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. From near Miller Peak, I did not continue to break trail on the Peak Trail, but instead turned up the East Ridge, breaking a track roughly along the route of the old East Ridge Trail. Snowshoes are no longer required on the established trail system, which is now too compacted for snowshoes. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway cuts about 6,000 feet of climbing off the hike . From there to the top of Marion Mountain Trail the route is a lightly-traveled posthole track. 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. 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 . 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). I recorded a short(ish) video report from San Jacinto Peak late morning on Monday 30th (available here on YouTube) that gives a feel for the conditions in the high country at that time. There are many ways to enjoy the snow in the San Jacinto Mountains, but snowshoeing is perhaps one of the most exhilarating. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. Spikes are expected to remain extremely useful over the next few weeks given the unpredictable weather. 25F-4C. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. After some early sleety drizzle it has been snowing in Long Valley (8600 ft) since late morning with 0.75 inch accumulating so far. Spikes are generally not required. The main track is clearest just above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. Temperatures will be below seasonal for December for at least the next week, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy. Steady heavy snow started in Idyllwild at about 0830 but stopped at about 1400. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Snow cover is a patchy 20% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.5 mile (roughly 8600 ft). 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. KPBS. A significant triple storm system had a major impact on 21st-26th February, and those updates are posted below also. UPDATE Tuesday 10th January: Another minor and relatively warm storm is passing through our mountains today. I have typically postholed barebooting to 8900-9200 ft before putting on crampons. Two moderate snow storms in the next ten days or so are expected to have a major combined impact on the San Jacinto mountains. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route. Snow Creek and San Jacinto Peak to Tram Hard 4.7 (99) San Jacinto Wilderness Photos (5,943) Directions Print/PDF map Length 28.3 miElevation gain 10,242 ftRoute type Point to point Try this 28.3-mile point-to-point trail near Whitewater, California. Given cold temperatures for the foreseeable future, melting is expected to slow (or largely stop in the high country). Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. Although my original track accurately followed the trail above Little Round Valley, there are now a fair number of alternate shortcut tracks across this slope, so cautious navigation is advised. However the Tuesday storm is forecast to be much colder, with a freeze level dropping to 5000 ft, with several of inches of snow therefore possible at the elevation of Idyllwild. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers may find them useful for descending. . Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to Saddle Junction. Deer Springs Trail has a posthole track to follow along its entire length. 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. However the combined effect of the two minor storms, in combination with wild gusty winds pushing spindrift snow all over the high country, had completely erased the few tracks that were in place by the morning of Wednesday 15th. 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 described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently ideal everywhere above about 9500 ft. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. Forecasts are currently indicating about 30-40 inches of snow for the highest peaks of the San Jacinto mountains (>10,000 ft) between 21st and 25th February, and about 18-30 inches for Idyllwild (5000-6000 ft elevations). Monday 5th was the first day since the snow storm in early November that I did not use spikes for descending, as the icy snow in the high country was crisp and grippy in cold, cloudy conditions. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. Snow, weather, and trail conditions for the San Jacinto mountains. 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. Please check this page for periodic updates the most recent is at the top throughout the multiple day storm sequence. This western side of the mountain was better protected from winds and drifting snow, and this track should largely survive until the weekend. Strap on your snowshoes and head into the stillness of the winter forest at the top of the Tram. 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 trail is clearest above immediately above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. Combined with a weakening sun at this time of year, snow melt will generally be slow at upper elevations, and conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails. UPDATE Sunday 1st January 2023: A moderate overnight storm produced 1.53 inches of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550ft). The primary purpose of this update is an advisory of imminent major snow accumulation forecast due to a triple storm sequence. Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. At the Peak 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 gentle WNW wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 9.9 mph. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak [checked 20th January] has no steps to follow through the steeply angled ice with overlying deep snow. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular track or trail. Additional moderate snowfall is tentatively forecast for 28th February-1st March. 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. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. This was discussed in, Minor snow storm in the early hours of Tuesday 3rd January 2023 then turned to rain all day. We survey the trail system daily, with hikes via different routes to San Jacinto Peak several times per week, Tahquitz Peak and vicinity at least weekly, and many other trails on other days. Back-to-back Pacific storm systems already the tenth and eleventh storms of this winter are forecast for Saturday 14th and then from late Sunday 15th January to the early hours of Tuesday 17th January. Webcams. South Ridge Trail from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. 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). Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. Obvious freeze/melting cycles. The intensity of snowfall at San Jacinto Peak this afternoon is the best Ive seen since late 2019. Traction devices like microspikes or crampons are highly recommended if you plan to hike into the wilderness. The State Park boundary is not marked but is near the site of the old Florians Cache, below Flat Rock. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. 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. Despite warmer temperatures on some days, hikers should be prepared for temperatures near freezing in the high country, and generally below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. The system averaged colder than the November storm, with more snow at lower elevations, although it was still notable that it initially rained as high as 9500 ft on the morning of Sunday 11th. Spikes are recommended but not required depending upon your comfort level hiking on angled icy snow. The mountain snow level is expected to drop to 6,000 feet by Wednesday morning . There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. Devils Slide Trail has a well traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. This will change later this week. I was very happy to find no new treefall hazards down on Spitler Peak Trail. More rain and snow is expected in the San Diego area Monday and forecast to arrive . 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. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Dark Canyon Road (4S02), the access to Seven Pines Trail, and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) also closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. Fresh snow at San Jacinto Peak now measures 3-4 inches, snow in Long Valley (8600 ft) at three inches, and rainfall in Idyllwild since 0700 this morning at 0.6 inch. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft, lower in places. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the challenge (or otherwise) of a given trail. The high country remained above the cloud for this one, with no fresh snowfall above about 8000 ft. The next comprehensive update to the Report will hopefully be tomorrow evening, Friday 6th. Of those, 27 are in the 0.6 mile section between Willow Creek crossing and the State Park boundary. Altitudes are approximate. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. However they are not required, depending on your comfort level with postholing in drifted snow of moderate depth. Accumulation so far of about 0.5 inch in Idyllwild, and one inch at Long Valley. 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. Despite the relatively weak sun at this time of year, such warm temperatures mean that snow melt may be unusually rapid (for December) at all elevations, snow conditions will generally be poor for hiking (soft, slippery, and even slushy), while in many areas conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails in the early mornings above about 7000 ft. The freeze level again started very high at >9000 ft, with light rain falling in Long Valley (8600 ft) all morning. From there I put in a direct ascending track roughly following the old East Ridge Trail to the Peak. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Note that generally the maximum depths so far this winter were immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023 (details of those depths available here). The advice above should be used with this in mind, and if in any doubt carry the necessary traction devices that you will be most comfortable using. Both of these storms are expected to be relatively mild at first with rain a possibility up to 9000 ft before freeze levels drop down to 6000 ft. 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. Many thanks to Kyle Eubanks who I chatted with at the Peak this afternoon. California , United States , 33.81N 116.68W, 3047m asl. Current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness feeling more typical for April or May than late November. This is a genuine relief after such a long, hot, and largely dry last 6-7 months. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches, and on the quality of your footwear (tread grip, in particular). Consequently the next comprehensive Report update will probably be published on Wednesday 15th February. But in 2020, two people had to be rescued when they were caught in an avalanche while hiking in. There is evidence of a relatively well-traveled track south from Saddle Junction on the PCT, but as of the morning of Saturday 17th this track did not make it through to Chinquapin Flat. Early on cold mornings, the icy snow is grippy, and I did not find spikes necessary on 5th. Potentially dangerous cold is currently forecast for the highest peaks for 14th-23rd January at least. Spikes are useful at least for descending. The Wellman Trail track was disappearing under spindrift as I re-broke it on Monday 23rd. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Melting on sun-exposed slopes is already well underway, e.g., on lower Devils Slide Trail, South Ridge and Deer Springs trails. Snow cover remains virtually continuous, but a few small patches are clearing below 7000 ft. Spikes are strongly recommended, at least for descending. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6-8 inches (12-14 inches on 12th December), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 8 inches (10-12 inches on 12th December), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-2 inches (7 inches on 12th December), Annies Junction/approx. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow; very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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. However the high country has been largely above this precipitation, with the sun even trying to peek out at times in Long Valley, and only about another inch of snow was added there this morning. They may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Deer Springs Trail is clear from the Highway 243 trailhead to the Suicide Rock trail junction at 7000 ft, and functionally clear from there to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft), with a few icy snow patches increasing in length and frequency as you ascend. From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction. 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. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.5 inches (total 3.5 inch). Early on Wednesday 18th January I barebooted up Devils Slide Trail (which I had broken to Saddle the previous morning). Overall, melting is proceeding somewhat faster than expected but this holiday weekend trails will remain very icy. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through light icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Snow cover is only 50% below 6700 ft, about 95% up to 7200 ft, and continuous thereafter. 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. 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. While we have to be grateful for any precipitation received given our rapidly warming mountain climate, it was not the significant snow-producing storm that had been generally forecast in recent days. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. Although the flakes are small, it has been steadily accumulating at an inch per hour, with about six inches fresh powder so far today, for a Peak area total of about 30 inches. Make Yahoo Your Homepage Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. The forecasts remain wildly inconsistent for the potential storms next week but it is looking increasingly likely that the systems will miss us to the north.]. However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 8000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. 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. I made a concerted effort to put in a track as faithful to the trail routes as conditions permitted, both up and down. Spikes are not required. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. 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. I postholed barebooting to 8900 ft before putting on crampons. Reliable tracks are currently only known to be my posthole tracks from 15th for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via the Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails, and then descending Deer Springs Trail. All have been reported to US Forest Service. $30.00. UPDATE Wednesday 14th December 2022: Early this morning Anabel and I broke trail up Spitler Peak Trail to the PCT. Again the freeze levels may be relatively high, with little more than an inch or two of snow likely below 6000 ft, a forecast 2-6 inches of fresh snowfall in the high country scattered across two or more days, and roughly 0.5-1.0 inch of rain (perhaps mainly freezing rain) throughout the mid elevations. Rainfall in Idyllwild (at 5550ft) has also maintained a steady pace, with close to 0.7 inch so far today. Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has an ice layer underneath the fresh powder. 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. 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. Note that tracks discussed are obscured quickly by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. The freeze level was above 7000 ft for most of the storm, with freezing rain plastering the vegetation as high as 10,000 ft. 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. Temperatures on the morning of 15th were the lowest of this winter, and among the lowest of the past decade. 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. Thank you for taking the time to read this. A mixed assortment of weather is possible for the remainder of November. 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). Live Streams. 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. The Mammoth Mountain ski resort has received 41.5 feet (12.6 meters) of snow since October and could be on a path to break the all-time snow season record of 55.7 feet (17 meters) set in 2010-2011. 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. WEATHER UPDATE 23rd December: forecasts have been shifting dramatically in recent days. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. 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. 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. 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. At the Peak Junction the State Park campground at Stone Creek is also closed contribution keeps the Report to. 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