The high-pressure, bright, sunny weather system in recent weeks has created icy conditions with no snow covering it." 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. 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. As of this morning, I saw no other broken tracks on the high country trail system. For water information, please visit the PCT Water Report. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of snow below 7600 ft, about two miles up, and then snow cover is about 60% up to Saddle Junction but becoming almost continuous within 0.2 mile of the junction. ( Find 39 photos of the 71729 San Gorgonio Road home on Xome. Marion Mountain Trail (surveyed at least weekly in past month) now has only about 20% icy snow cover, largely in the central section between about 7400-8200 ft elevation which is less sun-exposed. You will enter San Gorgonio Wilderness as the trail begins to gentle down. At the Peak on Thursday 17th November 2022 at 0825 the air temperature was 36.3F (2C), with a windchill temperature of 29.5F (-1C), 10% relative humidity, and a cool NW breeze sustained at 3 mph gusting to 6.3 mph. The summit of San Gorgonio (11,499') is 3 miles beyond High Creek, which you can also camp at. . The icy conditions are the third deadly threat in the mountains, which were ravaged first by fires, then flash floods late last year. Darren Goodman of the sheriff's search-and-rescue team. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. Official websites use .gov A .gov The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail has a well-traveled track to follow throughout its length, snow cover is about 80%. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 7500 ft moderately, snow-covered. Given the importance of this trail for the safety of northbound PCT hikers in particular, it is one of several trails adopted by the Trail Report. SGWA lists the elevation gain from momyer creek trailhead to SG summit as 6,062'. The San Gorgonio Mountain maintains the longest recorded line of sight in the contiguous United States it is plainly visible from the summit of Mount Whitney, 190 miles away. Currently there is about 1.5 inches of fresh snow at San Jacinto Peak, on top of the very patchy and icy 2-4 inches remaining from early November. Check out pictures on SGWA member John Flippins website, High Lake Photography. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures 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). Sadly weight of snow has caused the roof of one shop in town to collapse, and I saw one collapsed car port (with cars inside) under the dramatic volume of snow. The areas closed on June 17, as a result of the 31,359 acre Lake Fire. There were posthole tracks heading south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. Measurements taken on Monday 30th were unchanged by Wednesday 1st. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (3.0 inches on 12th December). However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). The source is here. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. A weather system, possibly in two waves across a broad time window between 2nd and 5th December, is currently forecast to produce light precipitation at all elevations, including a possible dusting of snow in the high country [update 1st December: no precipitation is now expected from these storms passing to the north of us]. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. 1629 Sams Cyn , Beaumont, CA 92223-7572 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $699,900. A Comprehensive Guide to Backpacking San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek Azalea Drive, the access road to Marion Mountain trailhead, has not been fully plowed (surveyed Tuesday 14th). Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). 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). We have had an excellent start to 2023 regarding the water and snow situations in the San Jacinto mountains. South Ridge Road (5S11) is also currently closed to vehicle traffic. In related (but frankly much more positive) news, today I had a long but spectacular day snowshoeing to San Jacinto Peak. Such unseasonably warm temperatures mean that snow melt will be rapid everywhere while in many areas freeze/thaw cycles will result in icy trails in the early mornings above about 7000 ft. By late morning snow conditions will become poor for hiking (soft, slippery, and even slushy) especially in sun-exposed areas. Group size limited to 12 people and 8 pack/riding animals per group. Precipitation has been steady at mid and upper elevations for the past few hours. However it is thinning rapidly everywhere, and will look radically different in a week or so. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. The map below shows the new updated El Dorado fire closure area. South Ridge Road itself is now functionally clear of ice and snow. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. Treacherous ice is the common denominator in three of the four deaths, and the disappearances of Kumm and Barbour, said Sgt. MikeH. Be aware of your surroundings trails look different in the snow and are sometimes are hard to find. Many hikers will nevertheless find spikes useful in places, especially for descending. 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. Trails above about 7500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft). 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. There is disagreement between the forecast models where the freeze level will be for most of Sunday 11th which may alter the potential snowfall amounts (versus rainfall) at mid elevations. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to about 7700 ft (about 1.7 miles up) although some dirty icy patches remain below that. UPDATE Thursday 5th January 2023: We are just catching the southern edge of the highly-publicized storm currently passing through central California. Only five of these require cutting, and I was able to remove three by hand last week. This will likely continue to be the case for several weeks, given fresh snowfall expected. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through increasingly patchy, very thin, icy snow above about 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses where known by the maximum depth so far this winter immediately following the latest storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. Steady heavy snow started in Idyllwild at about 0830 but stopped at about 1400. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles and compaction over the next week or two. And he said he doesn't have any doubt that his friend is still alive. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. This is expected to be a seasonal closure until next year. The permits can be obtained at the Ranger Station in Mentone, 34701 Mill Creek Rd. Days are short and nights are very cold. Altitudes are approximate. I recorded a short video discussion there (available here on YouTube) which gives a feel for current conditions. Amounts listed may That's suicide." You must be logged in to create new topics. 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). 2 brothers found guilty of murdering man at his Chino wedding party It was closed Wednesday both because of hazardous conditions and because rescuers did not want hikers disturbing any footprints or other clues that might have been left by Kumm. The fresh snow overnight could have covered any tracks or other signs of a campsite, but "if he's still moving, we'd be able to see his footprints clearly," Amrhein said. Once we reached the point where the Mineshaft trail beings it's long series of switchbacks (around 10,500' ) the trail was completely covered, forcing us to go direct - straight up the snow + a bit of rock scrambling up a large scree rock slid.. 2 night trip - SB Peak Trail to Limber Pine, Trail Fork Springs and back. 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. At the Peak on Sunday 1st January 2023 at 0830 the air temperature was 17.9F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -2.3F (-19C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 21.1 mph. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. Note that there are about a dozen stream crossings and sections of the trail with water flowing in them, at times for tens of feet. 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. UPDATE Monday 13th February: the first of two consecutive minor storms came through this morning, and produced more snow than was generally forecast. For example, the By comparison, approximately 42 inches were recorded in February 2023 (provisional data). Although excellent tracks are now in place for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks (see photo below). However the remaining snow patches are icy in the morning. "On Mount San Jacinto, the conditions just aren't good for avalanches with the slopes and amount . The open section of trail below 5800 ft is clear of snow. Trails remain very icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, so spikes are recommended throughout the trail system above about 8000 ft (lower in places). View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. San Gorgonio Winter Backpacking Trip (South Fork Trail to Dry Lake) 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. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Two ascents of San Jacinto Peak in three days had challenging snow and weather, but both were hugely enjoyable. Dans ce guide, nous avons slectionn les 6 meilleurs chemins le long de votre balade autour de Sand To Snow National Monument. The trail is clearest above immediately above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. Thank you so much for your support. * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Times staff writer Dave McKibben contributed to this report. Forecasts are inconsistent regarding the amount of snowfall in this next storm, but those that I trust suggest 12+ inches in Idyllwild over the next 24 hours, with 1-2 feet in the high country. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 25-27 inches (includes 2.5 inches snow added on 10th January) but very heavily drifted, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 24 inches (2 inches on 10th January), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail/PCT Mile 184.9 (8700 ft): 13 inches (1 inch snow on 10th), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus 1.5 inches rain on 10th), Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183.3 (8100 ft): 6 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Deer Springs Trail at Suicide Rock Trail junction (6950 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0.5 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th). So we recommend getting your permit in advance! 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 November). If closed in the early hours of the morning, you must park in the lower overflow lot. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 39-44 inches (new snow 8 inches), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 44-48 inches, heavily drifted, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 42 inches (6 inches), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 35 inches (6 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 46 inches (5 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 22 inches (4 inches), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 16 inches (5 inches), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 22 inches (6 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3-6 inches (6 inches, partly melted by afternoon of 15th), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 2 inches (5 inches, largely melted by afternoon of 15th). The route is blessed with views first of Fish Creek Meadows, then the Ten Thousand Foot Ridge and Grinnell Mountain, and then Dry Lake while traversing Lake Peak. The trail design is excellent, with the grade perfectly balanced for ascent and descent. Although I carried snowshoes it would have been risky to try to use them on the icy traverses. 41900 Falls Rd. There were no visible hiker tracks on Marion Mountain, Seven Pines, or Fuller Ridge trails, as of 15th February. 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. Locations in between, especially those on the western and southern slopes, added more with up to five inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship. From the large paved parking area, the trail starts on the opposite side of the road across from the vault toilet. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. We surveyed the PCT where it crosses Highway 74 (approx. Snowshoes are likely to become useful (even essential in early January), at least above about 9000 ft, if there is significant snowfall during the coming week or so as forecast. An official website of the All trails above about 5000 ft are currently lightly (or above 8000 ft, moderately) snow-covered.