PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 0-1 inch (was 6 inches on 9th November), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 0-1 inch, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 0-1 inch, Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 0 inch, Long Valley (8600 ft): 0-1 inch (was 2-3 inches on 9th November), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0 inch (was approx. Current forecasts suggest that the moderate storm on 14th-15th January may be cooler than the Tuesday storm, with somewhat more snow at lower elevations. Note that data for the high country are dramatically different from those for Idyllwild, and generally sadly lacking, other than meteorological records for Long Valley (8600 ft elevation) since the 1960s. The Vivian Creek route is the most popular, South Fork is #2
Snow cover remains >95% through Little Round Valley up to San Jacinto Peak. 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. 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. If there are Road Closed signs across Fern Valley Road at its junction with Forest Drive likely the case at least on weekends and holidays when significant snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. SGWA lists the elevation gain from momyer creek trailhead to SG summit as 6,062'. My tracks from Wednesday were still largely visible and helped a little with traction. Altitudes are approximate. 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. I recorded a short video at the Peak late morning on the 13th, available here on YouTube. Snowfall in the high country has been somewhat below expectations, with nine inches at San Jacinto Peak (for a current total depth of about 16-18 inches), and 5-6 inches in Long Valley (8600ft, total c.6 inches). South Ridge Road (5S11) remains closed to vehicle traffic. This trail is just under a half mile long and runs from the junction with the San Bernardino Peak Trail 1W07.2 and the Sky High Trail 1W07.2 to the summit box, offering a unique view of the Sand to Snow National Monument. Altitudes are approximate. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Forum: Trail Conditions | San Gorgonio Wilderness Association The map below shows the new updated El Dorado fire closure area. That's suicide." 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. Daisy Girl Scouts are invited to explore the 7 Ponds Nature Center on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10-12 PM. South Ridge Road itself is now functionally clear of ice and snow. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. Hard 4.7 (4326) San Gorgonio Wilderness. It is especially obscure 0.1-0.3 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious near Caramba. Even experienced hikers should understand that winter ice hiking requires Alpine mountaineering equipment and skills, authorities said. Mount San Gorgonio - Hiking Vivian Creek Trail to the Peak 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. The shape of the mountain is influenced by a series of steeply dipping thrust faults on the north face . There is a very well-traveled track through increasingly patchy thin icy snow from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. whitebark 300 Hiked May 4, 2008. San Gorgonio Winter Backpacking Trip (South Fork Trail to Dry Lake) San Bernardino County authorities have rescued at least six other hikers since Jan. 1. These are free and self-issued.
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). Please check this page for periodic updates the most recent is at the top throughout the multiple day storm sequence. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-hikers22jan22,1,1003736.story?coll=la-home-local
Hikers Warned to Avoid Icy Risks
Four are dead and two missing in Southland mountains. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. Note that tracks discussed here may become obscured by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds combined with extensive ice fall from trees overhead. Free day use and overnight permits are required. They tend to be especially useful for descending trails. Suitable waterproof footwear is strongly recommended. There is an average of 9-10 inches of fresh powder so far today at San Jacinto Peak, and about 5 inches in Long Valley. The rainfall totals at mid elevations were unremarkable, especially compared to those of the storm in early November (discussed here). He has just reported storm snow totals of 5-6 inches at Wellman Divide (9700 ft) and four inches in both Round and Long valleys from his descending hike. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3 inches (all from latest storms, admixed with 5.06 inches rain on 14th-16th) already melting steadily on 18th. Rain had started overnight in Idyllwild, ending in late afternoon at a total of 1.26 inches. Altitudes are approximate. Trail crews are back in the wilderness! Thankfully it was relatively straightforward in crampons as the underlying snow was very solid due to freeze/thaw cycles, and the overlying powder was generally shallow. United States government. There may be patches, but nothing you can't get around or easily through without special gear. It's remote trailhead is probibly the only reason it's not as popular as the other routes. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Weve had a long break due to the Covid-19 issues, but after developing a set of safety procedures our teams are back in business. There is no planned reopening date at this time. The week from 21st-26th December may be among the warmest on record for the year-end holiday period. The next comprehensive update of the Report will likely be in the evening of Wednesday 11th. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 14 min to complete. Thank you so much for your support. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures well below freezing in the high country, and far below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). Thank you so much for your support. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for most of the major trails (details below). Note that averages are given; due to strong winds and considerable powder there is extreme drifting. San Gorgonio' taken from Hwy 62 in 29 Palms on March 2, 2023. If the Report is useful to you in any way, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Light or moderate rain is currently forecast daily at mid elevations (possibly totaling one inch in Idyllwild), with an uncertain possibility of light snow in the high country (<3 inches above 10,000 ft elevation). In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) additional light rain this morning has added up to 0.1 inch. Please take the time after your hike to fill out the form your feedback will help local managers improve services and provide valuable trip planning information for other visitors. There is an excellent snowshoe track to follow on the Wellman Trail and the Peak Trail up to San Jacinto Peak. The areas closed on June 17, as a result of the 31,359 acre Lake Fire. and here's the map showing the closed area ::
Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. Cautious navigation remains required for those who do not have significant experience of hiking this trail. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks (see photo below). Minor storm overnight on 27th-28th December. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended everywhere above about 8500 ft, and are strongly recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, the Wellman Trail, Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, on both flanks but especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. The Trail Report has adopted Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work as the trail has had a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues in the past decade. UPDATE Thursday 15th December 2022: Early this morning I hiked to San Jacinto Peak from Humber via Devils Slide, Wellman and Peak trails. UPDATE Wednesday 22nd: the first of four storms expected over the next eight days, the sixteenth storm of this winter, produced a very light snowfall but bitterly cold conditions in the San Jacinto mountains overnight. Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. For the foreseeable future hikers should be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and well below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). San Gorgonio climbing notes - Mountain-Forecast.com I put spikes on at the Peak for the descent and ultimately kept on my Kahtoola microspikes until about 9000 ft, one mile north of Saddle Junction. Instead they end up miles from where they should be. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 0-1 inch, photo below (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 1-2 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 0-1 inch [measured 26th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 0 inch [measured 26th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): <1 inch (was 2-3 inches on 9th), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0 inch (was approx. A fourth and final minor system is expected on 28th February-1st March. However a couple more inches of snow are expected this afternoon, and also on 2nd and 5th January. 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. Both days I put spikes on at the Peak for the descent, on 24th keeping them on until about 8000 ft on Marion Mountain Trail, and on 28th until about 9900 ft on the Peak Trail, roughly one mile north of Wellman Divide. Take warm clothing and equipment so you can stay overnight should you have to. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.0 inches (storm total 3.0 inches). Lamentably this latest storm was again very mild, with rain falling as high as the elevation of San Jacinto Peak see photos below all morning on Tuesday 10th, until finally turning to light snow in the early afternoon (at about 1330 in Long Valley). San Bernardino National Forest Near Angelus Oaks, California. Devils Slide Trail is almost clear of icy snow to about 7700 ft although some extended dirty icy patches remain below that. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. This is a popular trail for backpacking, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Of course, this February was notable in that roughly 80% of the total fell all in the last week of the month, with no respite for significant melting. All trails above about 4500 ft are snow-covered. That said, it has just started gently snowing in both locations, so storm totals may increase slightly over the next couple of hours. 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). 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. 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. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and generally far freezing when considering wind chill effects. In addition, there is the possibility of minor snow storms on Thursday 19th and around Sunday 29th January. The Vivian Creek Trail is the shortest and the steepest route to the summit of Mt. An official website of the
Spikes are not required. The PCT on the south-facing slope (Angels Glide) for about 1.0 mile north of Saddle Junction is largely clear of snow (spikes not required). An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. It climbs just fast enough to avoid being frustrating on the ascent, but is gentle enough so as to not be pounding on the descent. Most of this snow had melted prior to my hike to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. Skyline Trail closed on 26th January due to dangerous weather conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). On the morning of Wednesday 15th February I ascended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes), descending the western side via roughly Deer Springs Trail. Although I made a concerted effort to put in a track as faithful to the trail routes as conditions permitted, further strong winds and blowing powder in the high country were erasing tracks within hours or even minutes. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 7500 ft moderately, snow-covered. UPDATE Sunday 12th February: back-to-back minor snow storms are forecast for this evening and all day Tuesday 14th. This is also the parking area for the Big Falls Trailhead. Special thanks to Florian Boyd, great friend of the Trail Report, for bringing this to my attention (via text when I was snowshoeing at 9000 ft elevation on the PCT early this morning!). As mentioned last week, current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness typical of April rather than December. It stopped snowing at about 0800. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. 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. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. Print. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 8 inches (8-9 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4 inches (total 4 inches). My pre-dawn hike up Devils Slide Trail on 11th January was delightful, primarily because there was the noise of running water almost everywhere. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies.