No fresh snow fell overnight, with storm totals of about nine inches at San Jacinto Peak and 0.5 inch in Idyllwild unchanged. 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. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the winter. On multiple recent ascents of San Jacinto Peak I have generally ascended and descended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes). I recorded a short video at the Peak late morning on the 13th, available here on YouTube. 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. Thank you so much for your support. Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. I put on my Kahtoola microspikes to descend from the Peak, ultimately leaving them on most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. Skyline Trail closed on 26th January due to dangerous weather conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). Snow started in Idyllwild at about 1015 on Sunday 29th, ultimately accumulating about 3.5 inches (at 5550 ft) by the afternoon of 30th, while San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft) added only two inches of powder. 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. Deer Springs Trail has an excellent posthole track to follow along its entire length. At the Peak on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at 1030 the air temperature was 4.9F (-15C), with a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), 65% relative humidity, and a bitter due North wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. With such strong Santa Ana winds on Thursday 26th causing extensive drifting, and a light snowfall early on 30th, by the 30th prior tracks had been thoroughly erased and I was once again breaking trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak, largely through relatively shallow powder. 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. With such dramatic rainfall throughout the mountain range last week, and with snow now available for melting in the high country, I do not expect to be reporting on water conditions until next year. However they are not required, depending on your comfort level with postholing in drifted snow of moderate depth. All trails above about 6500 ft remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. It is possible they may deteriorate even further with some warming from direct sunlight. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 45-48 inches (includes about 24 inches snow in latest storms), heavily drifted to 60 inches in places, especially on the East Ridge. The Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 5th January] has patchy snow along its entire length, however it is largely clear for long sections, and the remaining snow is soft. 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. At the Peak on Thursday 29th December 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 25.8F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 7.2F (-14C), 81% relative humidity, and a harsh WNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 25.4 mph. Their arrival followed a period of several days of temperatures well above seasonal the previous week which had produced some significant melting. The total snow accumulation was ultimately somewhat below prior forecasts, with San Jacinto Peak receiving about 9-10 inches overnight (rather than the 12-16 anticipated). In addition to the flood watch, a wind advisory is in effect across Riverside County from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday. Crunchy layers as high as 9800 ft elevation told me it had rained that high at the start of the storm yesterday, but conversely there was very light snow (<1 inch) down to 5500 ft in Idyllwild. 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. Tracks of myself and a couple of others from recent days were largely visible up Devils Slide Trail, and I barebooted to Saddle Junction through thin powder overlying ice. A minor heatwave is forecast for 23rd-27th November with temperatures at all elevations expected to warm to well above seasonal. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying shallow powder. 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). Snowshoes are useful in low to moderate angle terrain with adequate snow depth above about 8000 ft, for example the Tahquitz area meadows near Saddle Junction, sections of Deer Springs Trail, and Long Valley/Round Valley. 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). Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.5 inches (total 3.5 inch). Recent hikes have included the high peaks (>10,000 ft) 2-4 times per week by various routes, Tahquitz Peak and area 1-2 times per week, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Marion Mountain trails, and May Valley Road and Indian Mountain Truck Trail. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (summarized here) has been melting steadily at mid elevations but more slowly in the high country given the relative weakness of the sun at this time of year. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. After a relatively benign day, it started snowing gently at 1340, and has become steady with large wet flakes in the past hour or so. Trails above about 8500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft on the west side, 9900 ft on the east). The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. The freeze level will initially be above 10,000 ft, ultimately only falling to about 9000 ft, so many of the main access trails to the high country may get no new snowfall. 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. Spikes are recommended at least for descending, and will become increasingly important with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. Areas of fog. Altitudes are approximate. WEATHER MOUNT DIABLO SAN FRANCISCO SNOW SKIING RAIN TRAFFIC. I have kept crampons on for most of the descent, removing them most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. Melting is expected to be steady and start to accelerate into February, but freeze/thaw cycles, compaction, and refreezing overnight may ultimately combine to produce very icy conditions. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Altitudes are approximate. As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. UPDATE Wednesday 14th December 2022: Early this morning Anabel and I broke trail up Spitler Peak Trail to the PCT. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Regarding snowfall, the high country may be above the cloud at times, with dustings of snow above about 7000 ft across much of the nine day period, but with the highest probability for a heavy snowfall on Saturday 31st December, totaling 8-15 inches. 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. Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail) and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. Although excellent tracks are now in place for some major trails (as outlined below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere for the next few days in particular. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds there has been extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Nevertheless Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the relatively wide, bare, and obvious routes of, for example, Devils Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Potentially dangerous cold is currently forecast for the highest peaks for 14th-23rd January at least. Three significant trees are now down across the trail, including two major hazards (one new in gale force winds on 26th January) that are not easy to hike around both roughly halfway along the trail. These storms are each expected to produce a further 4-6 inches of snow. Suitable waterproof footwear is strongly recommended. Webcams. Snowshoes are useful in lower angle terrain with adequate snow depth above about 8000 ft, for example the Tahquitz area meadows near Saddle Junction, sections of Deer Springs Trail, and Long Valley/Round Valley. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Each of them was memorable. The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. 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. Hamilton, we saw snow falling and covering the Saratoga Hills, just about 15 minutes from town. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. Snowshoes are dangerous due to the angle of the icy snow. 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. With such dramatic rainfall throughout the mountain range in the past two days, and with snow now available for melting in the high country, I do not expect to be reporting on water conditions until next year. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.0 inches (storm total 3.0 inches). potentially dangerous) windchill temperatures. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. 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. That is expected to change, with up to several inches of snow forecast both in the high country and at mid elevations tonight. 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. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and thorough knowledge of how to use this equipment, are essential. At least two further minor storm systems are forecast, overnight on Monday 2nd into Tuesday 3rd, and then again all day on Thursday 5th. 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. It made for one of the easiest trips to . Snowshoes are not required anywhere on the established trail system, where snow is now too shallow, icy and compacted. Forecasts suggest a further 2-3 inches are possible tonight. Cautious navigation remains required for those who do not have significant experience of hiking this trail. The State Park Stone Creek campground is also closed. Final totals for Idyllwild for the three day storm event were 6.5 inches of snow, plus an impressive 5.06 inches of rain. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct and avoids all of the very challenging bushwhacking of the former trails (local hikers Charles Phelan and Mark Gumprecht kindly nicknamed it the King Trail when I established the route in 2019). The storm expected on 28th November failed to materialize, producing only below average temperatures, wind, and spectacular clouds (photos below). Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 5000 ft, potentially lower in places. 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. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide, from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak, and up South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. By the afternoon of 15th, melting was already underway below 7000 ft. Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow in its upper switchbacks to the PCT. Snow accumulation was initially slow but has been an inch per hour recently, with 2.5 inch added at San Jacinto Peak since late this morning (on top of about 24 inches remaining from prior storms). Mountain High. Note that tracks discussed here may become obscured by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds combined with extensive ice fall from trees overhead. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. When plowed Humber will remain very icy for the next few days at least. There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). Storm total at San Jacinto Peak is about 14 inches for a current total depth of 36+ inches (but very heavily drifted). NA. As mentioned above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. 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. The open section of trail below 5800 ft is clear of snow. My pre-dawn hike up Devils Slide Trail on 11th January was delightful, primarily because there was the noise of running water almost everywhere. 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. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Sign up for Alert San Diego notifications for all your telephone numbers. 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). But in 2020, two people had to be rescued when they were caught in an avalanche while hiking in. 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. A short video summary of what we found is available here. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. A photo of an avalanche taken by Joyce Schwartz Sunday and later shared by the Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit showed snow cascading down the north face of the mountains, sending multiple plumes into the air. South Ridge Road (5S11) is currently closed to vehicle traffic but is rapidly clearing [checked Saturday 17th] of snow. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Areas here at 6500-7000 ft had had much less snow than a few miles further north, only 0.5-1.0 inch depth. Conversely, lower down Devils Slide Trail is a combination of very light snow cover, slush, and multiple stream crossings, with much water flowing down the trail. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th-20th February (east and south side locations) and 15th February 2023 (west side) are as follows. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing above about 7000 ft, where trails havent been too heavily traveled and compacted. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 22-24 inches (includes 6 inches added on 5th January), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 15 inches (5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 17 inches (5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (2 inches on 5th), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 10 inches (2 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 5th), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3-5 inches (1 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 5th). Noise of running snowpack on mt san jacinto almost everywhere or above 9000 ft, where trails havent been too traveled... Plowed Humber will remain very icy for the highest peaks for 14th-23rd January at least up Devils Trail. Drifted ) inches ( but very heavily drifted ) to several inches of snow forecast both in the trails inches... 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