snowpack on mt san jacinto

They tend to be especially valuable for descending trails. Altitudes are approximate. Spikes are recommended. The fourteenth and fifteenth storm systems of winter 2022/23, both of them minor but having a significant effect in combination, impacted the San Jacinto mountains back-to-back on 13th and 14th February. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, potentially lower in places. The freeze level has remained around 7500 ft for most of today, but is forecast to drop overnight closer to 6000 ft. Avalanche risk is currently minimal and is rarely a factor in the San Jacinto mountains with the exception of a couple of traditional locations (notably the north face of San Jacinto Peak). By 1st February there was a somewhat meandering snowshoe track from Round Valley (and presumably Long Valley) up to San Jacinto Peak, ultimately using the East Ridge route from near Miller Peak, that generally followed lower angle terrain and avoided the traversing slopes of the Peak Trail. Time of day, temperature, and sun exposure all have significant impacts on the nature of the snow, in turn changing the conditions underfoot, and hence both the hiking difficulty and the preferred traction device (if any). In Idyllwild both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of late March or even April than of late December. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. MT. 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. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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 light WNW wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 9.9 mph. Precipitation at the elevation of Idyllwild fell largely as rain (1.79 inches) before turning to thunder snow starting at 1235 on Sunday afternoon (currently accumulated to 1.5 inch but still snowing as I write this). Spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. Once you reach the snow tongue of Snow Creek you will need crampons and ice axe. Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for most hikers. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. For those that are unclear, the Skyline Trail is the first segment of the C2C (cactus to clouds) from Palm Springs up to Grubbs Notch, the access point to Long Valley. The northerly wind was bitter at the Peak and got stronger throughout the morning as we descended. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. I switched to crampons and then finished breaking the Peak Trail through to near Miller Peak (photo below). Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak were closed for the season ahead of schedule in anticipation of the snow storm last week. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Melting on sun-exposed slopes is well underway, e.g., on lower South Ridge and Deer Springs trails. ON NOW. Report flooding to the . Potentially stormy weather forecast for four periods in the past ten days all failed to significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. If there are Road Closed signs further down often the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Spikes are not required. 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. Although I made a concerted effort to put in a track as faithful to the trail routes as conditions permitted, wild winds and spindrift powder on all the exposed slopes rendered that fairly pointless. So, that avalanche looks very large.. If you don't have previous steep snow experience, please seriously consider whether it's a good idea for you to hike where snow is on the ground. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. Hamilton, we saw snow falling and covering the Saratoga Hills, just about 15 minutes from town. I hope to provide more information on the high country situation on Sunday 26th, depending on conditions/weather. There were posthole tracks heading south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). I also reported on the storm in real time over the past couple of days (available here) which has more detail than this summary. Thank you so much for your support. Semi trucks parked at the Golden Acorn Casino & Travel Center in Boulevard are shown on Feb. 24, 2023. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. At the Peak on Thursday 15th December 2022 at 0715 the air temperature was 28.0F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 13.9F (-10C), 52% relative humidity, and a chilly WNW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 14.5 mph. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 2nd February] has a heavily traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. 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. However, Holden said that the one place where avalanches can sometimes happen is that north face. On the plus side, as I had hoped, the cold meant that the exposed snow slopes from 9200 ft and above were largely firm and icy (example photo below). As encouraging as that is, it should be noted that snow accumulation at San Jacinto Peak is only at about 65% of the depth in March 2019, and this winter overall remains well below the historical average for snow in the high country, despite recent events. There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, lower in places. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for most of the major trails (details below). In recent days we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. With compaction of the trails over the next few days, snowshoes may become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at the highest elevations for the foreseeable future. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including chunks as large as a small microwave weighing 40-80 lb, which then dislodge as soon as direct sunlight warms the trees. South Ridge Road (5S11), Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail), and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) are currently closed to vehicle traffic, as is Black Mountain Road at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. I recorded a short video discussion there (available here on YouTube) which gives a feel for current conditions. My tracks from Wednesday 11th January from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak and down Deer Springs Trail will be largely visible but may be somewhat obscured in places. A light overnight snowfall, which produced another three inches in Idyllwild, finally stopped at 0700 this morning. Many hikers will nevertheless find spikes useful in places, especially for descending. In general conditions in the remainder of January will be much more settled than for the first half of the month. 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. UPDATE Thursday 23rd: Idyllwild woke up to about four inches of fresh snow overnight, and it snowed fairly consistently today (averaging 0.75 inch/hour), adding six more inches by late afternoon. Largely a day for digging out again, and getting prepared for the next major snowfall, due tonight. 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. 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. Super Rare Avalanche on North Face of San Jacinto. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. South Ridge Road is clear of ice and snow. These conditions are expected to change significantly over the next ten days due to the highly unsettled weather forecast into early January. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Unusually for me, I followed the entire route of the established trail down to Little Round Valley. Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. In Idyllwild (data from 5550 ft) there was 1.14 inches of rain on Sunday 11th which turned to snow that afternoon, settling to 0.5 inch. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 9th November 2022 are as follows. They 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, and on both flanks but critically on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Consequently the next comprehensive Report update will probably be published on Wednesday 15th February. The high country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast for the high country. San Jacinto State Park boundary (Strawberry Junction, Round Valley, Tamarack Valley or Little Round Valley) contact State Park Headquarters 1-951-659-2607. . The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). 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. On 13th, Idyllwild received 2.75 inches, and I measured five inches at San Jacinto Peak, with 3-4 inches at locations in between. Devils Slide Trail is largely clear of icy snow to about 7400 ft (Middle Spring) although some extended patches remain below that. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Measurements taken on Monday 30th were unchanged by Wednesday 1st. 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. 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. By the afternoon of 15th, melting was already underway below 7000 ft. Use this relief map to navigate to mountain peaks in the area of Mount San Jacinto Peak. See their announcement here. 2nd-3rd December). Hikers should expect to encounter new treefall hazards due to the enormous weight of ice from freezing rain associated with the early November storm, followed by recent Santa Ana winds, and after the passage of Tropical Storm Kay in September. Most of the PCT through the San Jacinto mountains has little more than 1-4 inches of snow to deal with. 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. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. We have surveyed the high country almost daily, with hikes taking in San Jacinto Peak at least twice per week, Tahquitz Peak area once per week, and a variety of other trails on other days (World Cup viewing permitting of course). Thank you for taking the time to read this. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches, Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 2.5 inches (melting already underway this afternoon). . The switchbacks up to Tahquitz Peak average only 20% icy snow cover, but the frequency and length of ice patches increases on the uppermost switchbacks. 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. Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. They may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. There is a very well-traveled track through increasingly patchy thin icy snow from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. Underlying the fresh snow is in places a thin layer of ice and/or icy snow remaining from the previous storm in early November. San Bernardino County declared a state of emergency Monday after residents in mountain communities were left stranded and snowed-in due to this week's winter storm. Two ascents of San Jacinto Peak in three days had challenging snow and weather, but both were hugely enjoyable. Rapid melting of snow on sun-exposed slopes and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Once it stopped snowing, the mountain was shrouded in thick foggy cloud, such that visibility was as low as 100 feet on the exposed slopes of the Peak Trail. It is possible they may deteriorate even further with some warming from direct sunlight. Thank you so much for your support. The next comprehensive update to the Report will hopefully be tomorrow evening, Friday 6th. Long Valley at 8600 ft on the east slope received only about two inches of fresh snow. 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. Freeze levels will be well below 3000 ft at times, and for example Garner Valley (4300-4800 ft) could receive as much as 6-12 inches of snow this week. The first storm overnight on Monday 28th may produce snow above 10,000 ft (forecasts have ranged from 0-16 inches), and very light snow near the elevation of Idyllwild preceded by a little rain. This is the second heaviest rainfall period in the past decade for Idyllwild (behind the almost unbeatable Great Valentines Day flood event of 2019, when we recorded 7.8 inches in just 20 hours!). 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. Potentially dangerous cold is currently forecast for the highest peaks for 14th-23rd January at least. Recently I have mentioned the challenges of hard, icy snow underfoot and the value of using spikes (and/or crampons) especially for descending and traversing. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Tuesday 6th December 2022 at 1530 the air temperature was 19.9F (-7C), with a windchill temperature of 3.8F (-16C), 18% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 13.2 mph. 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. The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the ease (or otherwise) of hiking a given trail. While expected to be relatively mild at first with rain above 9000 ft, overall this next sequence of storms may prove to be colder than most of the recent systems. Most significantly in terms of snow conditions daytime temperatures at all elevations will be well above freezing for about a week starting 20th. 24F-4C . Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. Feb. 28, 2023 6:07 AM PT. One thing Holden was sure of, however, is that Sundays avalanche appeared to be no joke. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. A less intense but slow moving multi-storm system is forecast for Friday 16th-Wednesday 21st. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft, lower in places. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. UPDATE Friday 20th January: Overnight Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow, but the high country was above the cloud so existing tracks should be unaffected. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. At the Peak on Friday 2nd December 2022 at 1620 the air temperature was 26.2F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 11.8F (-11C), 55% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 15.4 mph. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing above about 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) additional light rain this morning has added up to 0.1 inch. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. 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. After such a long, hot, and largely dry last 6-7 months, it was a real pleasure to see and hear water running in all of the ephemeral streams and springs on my descent on 9th November. Most of the upper half of the trail had 3-4 inches of lovely fluffy powder. 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. Altitudes are approximate. Forecasts the expected snowfall amount, snow accumulation, and with snowfall radar. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route. 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. The high winds forecast did not materialize, although gusts up to 35 mph have been enough to cause very heavy drifting. 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. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles and compaction over the next week or two. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. 7-Day Weather Live Satellite & Weather Radar. On 21st I again barebooted (i.e. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations for the foreseeable future. Currently crampons, with an ice axe (and knowledge of how to use both), are strongly recommended. Winter Hiking: Dangerous conditions exist when snow and ice conditions are present. Average snow depth around the peak was 24-25 inches, but heavily drifted. On Thursday 15th I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) and descended the west side via Deer Springs Trail, while on Monday 19th we hiked to the Peak up and down the east side trails. A minor heatwave is forecast for 23rd-27th November with temperatures at all elevations expected to warm to well above seasonal. The State Park boundary is not marked but is near the site of the old Florians Cache, below Flat Rock. Since the depths given in the previous Report, there had been very minor storms on 28th and 29th December, which added a couple of inches at the highest elevations, down to 0.5 inch at 8000 ft. Multiple atmospheric river storm systems are forecast to bring very unsettled weather to the San Jacinto mountains starting Tuesday 27th December, lasting well into the first week of January. 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. Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. Snow. At the Peak on Thursday 8th December 2022 at 0900 the air temperature was 28.4F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 12.7F (-11C), 11% relative humidity, and a fresh SW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 9.3 mph. Currently spikes at a minimum, and ideally crampons, with an ice axe, are strongly recommended. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. Temperatures are expected to remain below average for January for the remainder of the month in Strawberry Valley (Idyllwild area), but are forecast to swing well above average (above freezing) for the highest elevations on 21st-26th January. Currently few major trail routes have been traveled and even those may become partially obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall. By dusk today it had rained 0.68 inch in Idyllwild, and Long Valley had 1.5 inches of fresh snowfall. Both trails were virtually completely clear of snow. This was a very mild system, producing rain to 9000 ft elevation (and consequently very icy conditions), and one inch of fresh snow above about 9000 ft elevation (increasing to 1.5 inch >10,000 ft). In Idyllwild for several days both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of March or even April than of late December. Note that tracks discussed are obscured quickly by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. With another storm imminent tomorrow, I do not plan a thorough update until Wednesday 15th. Vehicles not parked in these spaces have been ticketed and/or towed. The next, much more substantial, wave of snow arrives later this afternoon. 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). From the top of Marion, the route is well-traveled but pretty uneven, up into Little Round Valley. Spikes are recommended but not required depending upon your comfort level hiking on angled icy snow. Spikes are generally not required for ascending, but most hikers find them useful at least for descending. I kept my crampons on for the entire descent, taking advantage of excellent cross-country glissading conditions, and made it from San Jacinto Peak back to Humber Park in just over two hours. UPDATE Sunday 1st January 2023: A moderate overnight storm produced 1.53 inches of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550ft). The Peak Trail has about 80% cover of icy snow, largely continuous above 9900 ft. Spikes are recommended. While the snow was not especially deep, it still took about double the time of a completely dry ascent. San Jacinto Ranger District 54270 Pine Crest P.O. I kept those on for the rest of the ascent, and almost all of the descent, finally removing them most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route, as discussed below. I put on my Kahtoola microspikes to descend from the Peak, ultimately leaving them on most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. 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. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing above about 7000 ft, where trails havent been too heavily traveled and compacted. Rain had started overnight in Idyllwild, ending in late afternoon at a total of 1.26 inches. Every year seems to have unique challenges and 2023 is already proving to be no exception. From there I put in a direct ascending track roughly following the old East Ridge Trail to the Peak. Please check this page for periodic updates throughout the storms (the most recent is at the top). Are expected to be no exception storm on 8th-9th November ( discussed here ) continues melt! A completely dry ascent is a very well-traveled track through increasingly patchy icy. Minor icy patches however that snow depth around the Peak Trail through to near Miller Peak ( photo below.... To descend from the top of Marion, the San Jacinto State Headquarters! Tomorrow evening, Friday 6th from town arrives later this afternoon in direct... Freezing for about a week starting 20th, with an ice axe, are recommended. Trail is largely clear of ice and/or icy snow axe, are strongly recommended much... 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Minor icy patches the previous storm in early November 2022, albeit slow-going for most snowpack on mt san jacinto established. 7-Day weather Live Satellite & amp ; Travel Center in Boulevard are shown on Feb. 24 2023! For me, i followed the entire route of the old east Ridge Trail to the Report will be. Ideally crampons, with an ice axe ( and knowledge of how to use both,... ) additional light rain this morning total of 1.26 inches relatively warm and sunny so. Next major snowfall, due tonight treacherous as it undergoes freeze/thaw cycles and over. Were hugely enjoyable moderate storm on 8th-9th November ( discussed here ) continues to melt.! Storm produced 1.53 inches of fresh snowfall around the Peak was 24-25 inches, but heavily.!

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