Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. 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. Although not required, many hikers will find spikes useful especially for descending. Thank you so much for your support. Snowshoes are currently not required on the established trail system, which is now too heavily traveled and compacted for snowshoes. Thank you so much for your support. From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction. 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). San Bernardino Trail and Forsee Creek trails, along with the campsites near those trails, are still closed. Their arrival followed a period of several days of temperatures well above seasonal the previous week which had produced some significant melting. 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). On the morning of Monday 12th a further 2.5 inches of snow settled in Idyllwild. connected to the .gov website. There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. Comments Off on Updated El Dorado closure area. 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. Forecasts suggest a further 2-3 inches are possible tonight. 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. Both Mt. The snow quickly turned into semi-melted slush. 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. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. There are three designated wilderness campsites on this trail:Vivian Creek Camp at 7,100'(no camping within 200 feet of the trail or creek),Halfway Camp at 8,100' (water is obtained from the creek 200 yards before camp), andHigh Creek Camp at 9,200' (water flows the best in this creek right below the camp). At the on Monday 5th December 2022 at 0840 the air temperature was 24.1F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 2.8F (-16C), 20% relative humidity, and a bitter WSW wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 33.0 mph. For closure information, please visit our official PCT closures page. While searchers said three of the men who died were experienced hikers, Kumm is better described as an outdoors enthusiast, said Cpl. Amrhein spoke at the command post at the closed Vivian Creek hiking trailhead, where weary search-and-rescue teams fanned out on a foot of fresh snow atop sheer ice, looking for Eugene Kumm, 25, of Seal Beach, missing since he set out alone for San Gorgonio peak Saturday. Estimated Time: 9-12 hours. When the gate is closed there are still nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). No fresh snow fell overnight, with storm totals of about nine inches at San Jacinto Peak and 0.5 inch in Idyllwild unchanged. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. The finally push to the summit from Sky High trail was relatively easy. United States. Spikes are not essential but will be useful for most hikers, especially for descending. 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. This will continue to be the case for at least a week, given fresh snowfall expected. Altitudes are approximate. The storm expected on 28th November failed to materialize, producing only below average temperatures, wind, and spectacular clouds (photos below). The trail was also very clean which was great. 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. 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. 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. Due to the difficult nature of the hike, we decided to arrive at the trailhead at 5am to get an early start. 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 theoretically unavailable for legal parking. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.0 inches (storm total 3.0 inches). From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction, but this track was being partially erased by spindrift within minutes. Snow, weather, and trail conditions for the San Jacinto mountains. We talk about his top SoCal mountains, tips & advice for long day hikes and newbie hikers, salsa dancing up Half Dome, redemption on San Gorgonio, disappearing on Ontario Peak, completing the Six Pack of Peaks challenge in one month, Cactus to Clouds vs Iron Mountain, summit cypher, dance origins, and the one hike he would re-live all over again. Whether you're a Girl Scout, a volunteer, or a family member, decide what you'll do next in your Girl Scout experience. All water crossings easy for anyone. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. These concerns may steadily increase over the next few weeks with (eventually) temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt. Conditions immediately following last weeks snow storm, the second significant Pacific system of winter 2022/23, that impacted the San Jacinto mountains on 11th-12th December were summarized in the previous Report (available here). Although the high country currently has its deepest snow accumulation in almost four years, since March 2019, this winter nevertheless remains well below the average for snowfall in the San Jacinto mountains to late January. This may continue for several weeks, or could change given further fresh snowfall forecast. With storms accompanied by strong west winds, the slopes above about 9500 ft on the east flanks of San Jacinto and Jean peaks may develop a snow structure with minor to moderate avalanche risk by the weekend of 25th-26th (as last seen on these slopes in early 2017). Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 45 inches (30 inches snow in latest storms) but heavily drifted here, Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 45-48 inches (about 30-32 inches snow in latest storms), Long Valley (8600 ft): 24 inches (16 inches in latest storms), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 21 inches (13 inches snow in latest storms), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 5-6 inches (all from latest storms, four inches of snow on top of ice). Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. It remains well above freezing there, currently at 41F. Thank you so much for your support. 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. Does anybody have accurate GPS or other reading of the actual total elevation gain? Devils Slide Trail has a traveled and largely compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 30th January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) and checked again on 1st February are as follows. Potentially dangerous cold is currently forecast for the highest peaks for 14th-23rd January at least. Trail Details. Ali Aminian, 51, of Newbury Park was an experienced Sierra Club member who went hiking alone in the same area Jan. 11, while Koh was still missing. It's remote trailhead is probibly the only reason it's not as popular as the other routes. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles and compaction over the next week or two. Willow Creek Trail remains a relatively slow, messy hike for a couple of miles. South Ridge Road (5S11) remains closed to vehicle traffic. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 12-14 inches (storm total 10 inches), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 10-12 inches (storm total 7 inches), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 7 inches (storm total 6 inches), Round Valley (9100 ft): 6 inches (storm total 5 inches) [thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Annies Junction/approx. The next full update will likely be on the afternoon of 25th. 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. Reports are that the Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio is basically clear of snow. Aconcagua mountain page is a child of the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits.' The second system, possible in a broad time window between 2nd and 4th December, may produce significant snow in the high country (forecasts have ranged widely from 0-30 inches above 10,000 ft!) Treacherous ice is the common denominator in three of the four deaths, and the disappearances of Kumm and Barbour, said Sgt. 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. Difficulty : Strenuous. 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. For driving directions, the trailhead address is: Vivian Creek Trailhead. Spikes at least are required, but preferably crampons, both best used with an ice axe, specifically for the uppermost switchbacks, but traction is useful for descending much lower also. While all time and effort is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report requests small private donations to cover costs. Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by drifting snow. With two further snowfalls expected in the next ten days, and moderate to strong winds in the high country expected for most of those days causing some daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system may remain completely or somewhat obscured by moderate snow at least into the third week of January. This will likely continue to be the case for several weeks, given fresh snowfall expected. Conditions prior to this storm had been unsettled for several days, with a minor storm overnight on 27th-28th December. Hiked the South Fork trail to Dry Lake where we camped for the night. Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 7500 ft. 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 slowly melting inch of patchy icy snow (photo below from 30th). As mentioned last week, current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness typical of April rather than December. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 23rd and 26th January] has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the shallow icy snow (still >90% snow cover). 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. Although excellent tracks are now in place and clearly visible for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. On June 22, 16 SGWA Trail Crew members headed for the Vivian Creek trail. 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. 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.