Although excellent tracks are now in place and clearly visible for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. 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. Turn around take a look, establish points of reference, a mountain top you can see or a particular rock formation, that will take you home. San Jacinto Trail Report - Snow, weather, and trail conditions for the See closure notice link below for more details. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th February 2023 are as follows. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds and considerable powder there is extreme drifting. As of the afternoon of Monday 12th, the only tracks that I saw and that are known to be in place are my snowshoe track between Humber Park and San Jacinto Peak (using Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails), and the track of Kyle Eubanks from the previous evening between Long Valley and the Peak via Wellman Divide (which remained surprisingly visible in places about 15-20 hours later, showing how calm the winds were overnight). The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Note: When there is sufficient snow coverage, the winter route is MUCH preferred and typically much safer. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. The Old fire, which started in San Bernardino, and the deadly flood that ravaged a campground in Devore were blamed for establishing the brittle ground that gave way when Jones fell to his death. 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. Spikes are recommended but not required depending upon your comfort level hiking on angled icy snow. The trail is largely clear of snow from Highway 243 to Strawberry Junction, and with about 60% snow cover from there up to 8600 ft. Marion Mountain Trail [updated 22nd December] has a well-defined but lumpy posthole track throughout. "It's just a sheet of ice up there," said John Amrhein, emergency services coordinator for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Searchers planned to be back out this morning looking for both men. The next comprehensive update of the Report will likely be in the evening of Wednesday 11th. At 11,499 feet, San Gorgonio Mountain is the highest peak in California south of the Sierra. Amrhein said searchers had seen "not a thing, not a thing." By comparison, approximately 42 inches were recorded in February 2023 (provisional data). If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter especially at weekends and holiday periods then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. However a couple more inches of snow are expected this afternoon, and also on 2nd and 5th January. website belongs to an official government organization in the Currently the snow is relatively powdery; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. San Gorgonio trail conditions - SoCal Hiker Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. I put in a posthole track the entire way up, but crampons (with an ice axe) were necessary on the upper switchbacks above about 8300 ft due to the usual steeply angled ice obscured underneath 6-12 inches of powder. Explore this 19.0-mile out-and-back trail near Forest Falls, California. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. Be aware of your surroundings trails look different in the snow and are sometimes are hard to find. Both storms were relatively cold, the second in particular dusting snow below 3500 ft elevation. The forecast for the last ten days of December differs radically from what was predicted just a week ago, and a major warming trend is expected rather than another cold Pacific storm. For example, San Jacinto Peak received about 9 inches of fresh powder (on top of about 2-4 patchy inches of icy snow remaining from November) on Sunday 11th, with an additional inch falling on Monday 12th. Mt. Thanks. Snowshoes are very strongly recommended for any trails in, or leading to, the high country. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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). All trails above about 6500 ft are currently snow-covered, and partially snow-covered above 5500 ft. Rain started overnight in Idyllwild, and by late this afternoon (at 1550) totals 1.22 inch. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. Ironically the closure is due to unprecedented snow fall, although such snow fall was average prior to this century, and would have even been below average in the 1970s. 2-3 inches on 9th November), Saddle Junction/approx. 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. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. Please check this page for periodic updates (the most recent is at the top). 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. Storm total at San Jacinto Peak is about 14 inches for a current total depth of 36+ inches (but very heavily drifted). Fish Creek 10.1 miles 3,342' gain 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. Momyer trailhead is now open. Similarly, Long Valley (8600ft) added about two inches overnight for a storm total of about seven inches and a current total depth of about 15 inches. On 2nd, 5th, and 6th we barebooted to San Jacinto Peak on well-traveled and compacted tracks through increasingly patchy light icy snow. San Gorgonio : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost Currently crampons, with an ice axe (and knowledge of how to use both), are strongly recommended. On cold mornings the trail will be icy and some hikers will find spikes are useful, however on warmer days and afternoons spikes are not required. 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. San Bernardino National Forest - Vivian Creek Trail 1E08 Hopefully someone will update the trail description with respect to the total miles. U.S. Forest Service personnel were preparing similar advisories to be given to hikers who buy parking and hiking permits in the San Bernardino, Cleveland, Angeles and Los Padres national forests. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. The USGS benchmark on the summit reads 11,501.6 feet and is dated 1989. It warmed last night to just above freezing below 6000 ft, with a mixture of rain and sleet falling on top of the prior snow, turning it increasingly to wet slush at mid elevations (we measured about 0.25 inch rain in Idyllwild). Consequently the next comprehensive Report update will probably be published on Wednesday 15th February. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Hard to believe being so close to the Los Angeles/Southern California area.Regarding San Gorgonio's elevation:In keeping with the standard (USGS) for determining US elevations, I have posted the height at 11,490 feet. In general most hikers will likely prefer to use spikes at least for descending down to about 10,000 ft (or lower). Potentially stormy weather forecast for four periods in the past ten days all failed to significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. IMPORTANT UPDATE Friday 13th January: back-to-back Pacific storm systems are forecast to impact the San Jacinto mountains this weekend, the first on Saturday 14th, immediately followed by another Sunday 15th-Monday 16th January. On South Ridge Trail spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks. 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. 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. Amounts listed may 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. My blogging throughout the storms gave more day-to-day detail and is available here. I agree. 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). Snowshoes are currently not required on the established trail system, which is now too heavily traveled and compacted for snowshoes. 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. That said, temperatures in the high country are much more typical of December than April! The Fish Creek trail is probably the least used and is aprox. It is a difficult hike, to say the least, and is recommended only for hikers who have adequate experience. IMPORTANT UPDATE Thursday 26th January 2023: The State Park has announced that Skyline Trail is closed with immediate effect due to hazardous conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and/or icy patches (depending upon time of day). The Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 10th January] has minor patches of snow along its entire length, however it is largely clear for long sections, and the remaining snow is rarely icy. Elevation gain : 5,840 ft. However there was no sign of that route by 6th, due to drifting snow. Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for most hikers. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. San Gorgonio Wilderness Map. The number given is the current average total snow depth. Watch for trail junctions, dont just follow your feet without looking up. My route down to Little Round Valley will not be especially helpful to ascending hikers, as I made the most of conditions to take a direct glissading route. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, and for the entire Deer Springs Trail. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. "It occurred to me that anyway one more Sunday was over, that Maman was buried now, that I was going back to work, and that, really, nothing had changed." The storm sequence starts with a minor storm on the night of Tuesday 21st, which may only produce 2-3 inches of snow at all elevations, but accompanied by high winds and bitterly cold temperatures. ft. home is a 2 bed, 3.0 bath property. Day Camp Aide Training March 18, 2023 - girlscoutsem.org As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. In fact on my hike to San Jacinto Peak on Monday 13th through steady morning snow I could barely tell the difference in snow depths from the previous week, as the few inches of fresh snow had almost exactly replaced the few inches of depth that had melted over the previous week. On the north side, a location just south-east of Banning in San Gorgonio Pass recorded a gust of 92 mph. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. At Day Camp, girls sing songs, try their hand at science experiments, learn knot-tying skills, make arts and crafts and enjoy water activities during these fun themed weeks. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. I recorded a short video at the Peak, available here on YouTube. Still one of the most scenic trails in San Gorgonio, Now is the time to do this hike before the weather changes. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin, and the State Park campground at Stone Creek, are closed for the season. Sold - 40789 Oregon Trail, Cherry Valley, CA - $1,695. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak [checked 9th January] has no steps to follow through the steeply angled icy snow. 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. Nice postcard view of Dry Lake covered in untouched snow. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks (see photo below). On my hike up to San Jacinto Peak late this morning there was a little drizzle on most of Devils Slide Trail, then an on/off mix of drizzle, freezing rain,, and fine snow in the high country. San Gorgonio, also known as "Old Greyback", is the highest mountain in Southern California. So we recommend getting your permit in advance! 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. Reports are that the Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio is basically clear of snow. 2 night trip SB Peak Trail to Limber Pine, Trail Fork Springs and back. Some hikers will find spikes are useful at least for descending. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The Vivian Creek Trail is the shortest and the steepest route to the summit of Mt. Skyline Trail is now largely clear, but has very limited patchy, thin, icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). This forum has 533 topics, 1,821 replies, and was last updated No Topics by. Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio Peak - AllTrails My 2022 survey counted 97 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. These are free and self-issued. Accumulation so far of about 0.5 inch in Idyllwild, and one inch at Long Valley. View details, map and photos of this single family property with 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. On 21st I again barebooted (i.e. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Baldy and Mt. A positive start to the new year, this is a summary of conditions following the fifth Pacific storm (but only the third significant snowfall) of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Provisional forecasts suggest the later storm systems, around 25th-27th February, could produce much more significant snowfall, potentially 10-12 inches in Idyllwild and 24+ inches at the highest elevations. And as a reminder, self-issue permits are only good for that day. Precipitation on Sunday 4th into the early hours of Monday 5th is significantly less likely in the latest models. 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. (21 ), Google Search for 'San Gorgonio Wilderness', http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/, Bear Flat, C2C, Vivian Creek: SoCal Triple Crown, The Hard Way, A Sleepless Winter Night On Top San Gorgonio, Southern California County Highpoints Tour, Cactus to Clouds, 9 Peak Traverse, and Baldy for the SoCal Triple Crown, Ascent of San Gorgonio - snowboarding down, My Personal "San Bernardino Mtns Trail Marathon", Spring Ascent of San Gorgonio's North Face. 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. Weather conditions for different elevations in the San Gorgonio Wilderness are at: www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/San-Gorgonio/forecasts/3505. Spikes tend to be most valuable for descending even when not needed for ascending. When you apply for a permit, youll get a link to forms where you can report water info, hazards, and any other info including lost or found items. The wilderness encompasses an incredible transition between desert, and mountain environments, including an enormous variety of thriving plant and animal species, in addition to bear, deer, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. Since the depths given in the previous Report, there has been some melting at higher elevations which have been above the cloud at times, and below 7000 ft where temperatures have remained above freezing for several days. The second storm on 15th-16th is expected to be colder with a lower freeze level which may result in 1-2 inches of snow down to 5000 ft or possibly even lower. There is evidence of a relatively well-traveled track south from Saddle Junction on the PCT, but as of the morning of Saturday 17th this track did not make it through to Chinquapin Flat. "Everything he has done indicates he was not an experienced hiker. The high country added only another couple of inches of snow overnight. I put on my Kahtoola microspikes to descend from the Peak, ultimately leaving them on most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 7500 ft. These positions are for the after-school program. Due to the difficult nature of the hike, we decided to arrive at the trailhead at 5am to get an early start. There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). 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). Most of this snow had melted prior to my hike to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. 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. Portable gas stoves are allowed. There is also a Little Round Valley campground which is on the . At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Sunday 19th February 2023 at 1015 the air temperature was 19.6F (-7C), with a windchill temperature of 4.1F (-16C), 44% relative humidity, and a moderate SSE wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14 mph. A very mild system with 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 above 10,000 ft. San Gorgonio, located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Even around the 10,000 ft peaks temperatures are expected to fluctuate either side of freezing for at least the first half of February, which will lead to freeze/thaw cycles and likely icy conditions in the mornings followed by soft, challenging snow in the afternoons. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. 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. Authorities were able to locate and rescue two 17-year-old hikers who were lost for several days on the Pacific . MikeH. However the snow conditions may not be suitable for snowshoeing on certain slopes, as described above. Between November 2021 and May 2022, 61 downed trees were removed and almost the entire trail thoroughly trimmed and cleared. There is a section of the PCT that is also locally known as the camp Cajon Kauder more Join us in thanking these generous businesses for their support of the Pacific Crest Trail. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to Saddle Junction. Your contribution helps SGWA protect the Wilderness and educate visitors! Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. At about 10K feet we began seeing our fist snow obstructing the trail. South Fork camps such as Dry and Dollar Lakes are also filling several weeks in advance.If you want to hike during the week, you have a better chance of getting a permit.Self-issue permits aren't always available - they oftentimes run out, or get stolen. This is a summary of conditions following the tenth and eleventh Pacific storms of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto range, that were basically a double atmospheric river event spread across 14th-17th January. However the combined effect of the two minor storms, in combination with wild gusty winds pushing spindrift snow all over the high country, had completely erased the few tracks that were in place by the morning of Wednesday 15th. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 6000 ft, lower in places. Prior to this storm, conditions had been extremely unsettled for about ten days, with four storms in a week, although only one of those was a significant snow-producing system. 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. Hiked the South Fork trail to Dry Lake where we camped for the night. Underlying the fresh snow is in places a thin layer of ice and/or icy snow remaining from the previous storm in early November. However they are not required, depending on your comfort level with postholing in drifted snow of moderate depth. Momyer and Falls Creek current trail conditions? For driving directions, the trailhead address is: Vivian Creek Trailhead. Note that tracks discussed here may become obscured by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds combined with extensive ice fall from trees overhead. 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.