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snowpack on mt san jacinto

Currently crampons, with an ice axe (and knowledge of how to use both), are strongly recommended. 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). Personally I would not currently venture above 9000 ft elevation without crampons (always with an ice axe) and snowshoes, due to the current complexity and challenges of the icy snow slopes above that elevation. Spikes could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. San Jacinto Peak is the highest peak in the California State Park system, and the second-highest point in southern California. Altitudes are approximate. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin icy snow above 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). After some early sleety drizzle it has been snowing in Long Valley (8600 ft) since late morning with 0.75 inch accumulating so far. 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. However they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9500 ft for the foreseeable future. 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. Two ascents of San Jacinto Peak in three days had challenging snow and weather, but both were hugely enjoyable. For about one mile north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is only a patchy 30% on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) and then averages about 50% on the Wellman Trail, but then icy snow cover is about 95% on the Peak Trail to San Jacinto Peak. Rain started overnight in Idyllwild, and by late this afternoon (at 1550) totals 1.22 inch. My pre-dawn hike up Devils Slide Trail on 11th January was delightful, primarily because there was the noise of running water almost everywhere. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. From there I used snowshoes to ascend via Annies Junction and Wellman Divide. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. Just a short . Spikes are recommended. I postholed barebooting to 8900 ft before putting on crampons. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers will find them useful for descending. Snow cover is continuous from there, with a posthole track to Tahquitz Peak. The open section of trail below 5800 ft is clear of snow. The storm brought down four new treefall hazards down on upper Spitler Peak Trail, awkward but all passable with care. As mentioned above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, notably the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th January 2023 are as follows. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Snowshoes are useful in low to moderate 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. The story so far.. A minor storm on the night of Tuesday 21st (sixteenth storm of the winter) produced little snow just an inch in Idyllwild but severe cold and severe winds, erasing all tracks with wild drifting. Above Saddle there was a layer of fresh powder (from the previous night) on top of a thick layer of ice, itself on top of more snow from prior storms. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. On my ascent I put crampons on at Wellmans Cienega (9300 ft) and they were more-or-less essential for traversing the icy slopes of the Peak Trail. If camping in the Mt. My track from last week largely followed the established route of the trail, especially below the Fuller Ridge junction, but higher up the track is much more direct in places. Melting has already reduced the snow cover to 90% as far as Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). The first couple of days early next week (20th-21st) may warm slightly above seasonal, before promptly dropping well below average again, accompanying another unsettled period of multiple consecutive storm systems on 22nd-28th. On 21st I again barebooted (i.e. Trails down to 5000 ft elevation currently have patchy shallow snow cover. Long Valley (8600 ft) has received about 1.0 inch fresh snow this morning. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing above about 7000 ft, where trails havent been too heavily traveled and compacted. The route does not follow the established trail for the most part, and steepens considerably as it nears Wellman Divide. 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. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and thorough knowledge of how to use this equipment, are essential. A short video summary of what we found is available here. South Ridge Road is now clear of ice and snow. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures generally 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). 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). No fresh snow fell overnight, with storm totals of about nine inches at San Jacinto Peak and 0.5 inch in Idyllwild unchanged. 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]. 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. It continued to rain heavily overnight at mid elevations everywhere below about 7000 ft. Idyllwild at 5550 ft elevation recorded an impressive 4.01 inches of rain in the 24 hour period up to 0700 this morning. South Ridge Trail from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak has a relatively well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. However, relatively well-traveled tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below). With the light fresh powder the previous evening, accompanied by very strong winds causing extensive drifting, prior tracks, including my own from 13th, had been totally erased everywhere so I was again breaking trail the entire way. Fresh snowfall, melting, and freeze/thaw cycles will all combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain over the next week or two. See why the snow was such a major factor for this hike in the 4K . Snow is constant on north aspects to 6700', and patchy on South aspects above 9000'. On 19th the cold icy early morning snow had good bite for grippy boots and I barebooted all the way to San Jacinto Peak. In general temperatures are expected to warm to above average into next month at all elevations, especially at the highest elevations in the first week of February. 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. Altitudes are approximate. Humidity: 80% . 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. Currently there is less than three feet of snow at San Jacinto Peak; I suspect it would be 5-8 feet had we had fractionally cooler conditions in the past month. I was very happy to find no new treefall hazards down on Spitler Peak Trail. 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. Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak were closed for the season this past weekend ahead of schedule in anticipation of the snow storm. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. The twelfth storm system of winter 2022/23 impacted the San Jacinto mountains with a minor snow storm on 29th-30th January. 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. All seasonal and ephemeral streams were running strongly, and the current water conditions are the best for four years, since the great Valentines Day flood event of 2019. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 9000 ft. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. San Jacinto State Park locations where self-issued permits are available 24/7: Idyllwild Ranger Station, 25905 Highway 243, Idyllwild, CA 92549 (located on a permit desk in front of office) . The natural traction was superb, and I barebooted all the way to just above Wellman Divide (9700 ft) before finally putting on Kahtoola microspikes, accompanied by an ice axe. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. The eighteenth storm, due this evening, is an unusual atmospheric river combined with very cold air again, expected to produce heavy snowfall for 24th-25th February. While all time and effort is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report requests small private donations to cover costs. 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. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including many chunks I have estimated as weighing 40-100 lb this winter, which can dislodge dramatically once direct sunlight warms the trees. The forecasts remain wildly inconsistent for the potential storms next week but it is looking increasingly likely that the systems will miss us to the north.]. 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. Spikes are recommended at least for descending, and will become increasingly important with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. I measured an average of about four inches of snow at Old Lookout Flat, although with some deeper drifts in the trail. Conditions immediately following the second Pacific storm, and the first significant snowfall, of winter 2022/23 that impacted the San Jacinto mountains on 8th-9th November were summarized in the previous Report. Altitudes are approximate. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. If hiking/snowshoeing/skiing into the State Wilderness, you must fill out a wilderness day-use permit. UPDATE Tuesday 3rd January 2023: Following another minor overnight snow storm our fourth in the past week Anabel and I briskly broke trail up Devils Slide to Saddle Junction early this morning. Below is an excellent videograb of an avalanche in the Snow Creek drainage on the north face of San Jacinto Peak that was witnessed by friend of the Trail Report Catherine Peterson yesterday morning at about 0840. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through light icy snow above 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Indeed the final third of December may be one of the warmest on record for the holiday period. The high country remained above the cloud for this one, with no fresh snowfall above about 8000 ft. Snow expected in the high country in the early hours of Wednesday 28th is not expected to be sufficient to obscure some of the higher elevation trails and complicate navigation. From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction. Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since the storm in mid December, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. NA. Please check this page for periodic updates throughout the storms (the most recent is at the top). Snowshoes are useful in low to moderate 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. 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. The total snow accumulation was ultimately somewhat below prior forecasts, with San Jacinto Peak receiving about 9-10 inches overnight (rather than the 12-16 anticipated). I measured 1.5 inches of fresh snow at Saddle Junction early this morning, with about one inch at Humber Park, and 0.8 inch of snow (following 0.7 inch of rain) at 5550 ft in Idyllwild. In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) it started raining at 1100, where it has been relatively slow to accumulate so far, with 0.4 inch by 1500. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. Tracks are in place around Skunk Cabbage Meadow, and south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Through LRV and up to San Jacinto Peak, there are at least three tracks (two posthole, one snowshoe), none of which attempt to follow the trail route, and all are steep and very direct. Mount San Jacinto State Park. Spikes will not be required by most hikers, depending upon comfort level hiking on patchy angled icy snow. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 14th November 2022 are as follows, with depths from 9th November 2022 in parentheses where known. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 9th November 2022 at 0820 the air temperature was 14.5F (-10C), with a windchill temperature of -7.8F (-22C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 30.5 mph. There is the possibility that this will end abruptly with a minor storm on Monday 28th November, with 1-3 inches of snow possible above 10,000 ft. Joyce Schwartz - From Riverside Mountain Rescue Unit Facebook Page. Currently the snow is relatively powdery; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. Starting in late morning the ice and icy snow is getting very slick due to a thin layer of meltwater on the surface, especially in sun-exposed areas. 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. While they are not strictly required, depending upon your expertise level hiking on shallow variable icy snow, mixed with slush and ice patches (itself depending on time of day and sun exposure), spikes will continue become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails undergo freeze-thaw cycles and become further consolidated by hiker traffic. UPDATE Saturday 17th December 2022: Early this morning we hiked South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak, and I broke trail from Tahquitz Peak to and from Chinquapin Flat through moderate snow. Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. However the high country has been largely above this precipitation, with the sun even trying to peek out at times in Long Valley, and only about another inch of snow was added there this morning. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Humidity: 89%: Wind Speed: S 14 MPH: Barometer: NA: Dewpoint: 21F (-6C) Visibility: NA: Wind Chill: . Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 6500 ft. With compaction of the trails in the second week of January, snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country for the foreseeable future. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through increasingly patchy, very thin, icy snow above about 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). As forecast, the storm came in two main waves, with the bulk of the precipitation falling for most of the daylight hours of Sunday 11th, followed by a remarkably calm and clear night, and then a much less intense period of snowfall between about 0800-1300 on Monday 12th. Thank you so much for your support. However there was a lot of rime ice starting to melt and fall from trees on upper Spitler (photos below). Another tree came down near the start of this trail close to Saddle Junction in Tropical Storm Kay. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.0 inches (storm total 3.0 inches). 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. This is a brief summary of conditions following the second Pacific storm, and the first significant snowfall, of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. As discussed above, additional light snowfall on 3rd and 5th January will further complicate the trail conditions. 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. Western side of the range is holding more snow than eastern side. 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. 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. Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. 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. On 24th the road had about 30% patchy ice cover. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. At the Peak on Monday 23rd January 2023 at 1010 the air temperature was 11.1F (-11C), with a windchill temperature of -16.2F (-26C), 47% relative humidity, and a bitter NNE wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. The high country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast for the high country. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. 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. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket. 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). Rain has continued solidly today in Idyllwild, with another 0.90 inch since 0700 this morning. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 10 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 7-8 inches (photo above), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 3 inches (was 4 inches on 9th), Round Valley (9100 ft): was 4 inches on 9th, Annies Junction/approx. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses by the depth of fresh snow added by the latest storm on Tuesday 10th. The main track is clearest just above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. Spitler Peak Trail is functionally clear of snow, but see photo below regarding patches of ice fallen from trees. There is precipitation forecast from Wednesday 28th into the first week of 2023. 13:00. Obvious freeze/melting cycles. Measured snow depths as of late morning/early afternoon today are: San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft) 38 inches, at least 14 new in this storm; Wellman Divide (9700 ft) 30 inches, with 15 new in this storm; Annies Junction at 9070 ft the highest point of the PCT in Southern California 30 inches, with 14 new in this storm; Saddle Junction (8100ft) 15 inches, about 7-8 new in this storm; Devils Slide Trailhead at Humber Park (6520 ft) 2 inches, all from this storm. This is especially dangerous on portions of trails that are . Snow levels could reach as low as 1,500 feet Wednesday morning and areas in the San Bernardino Mountains were projected to receive one to two feet. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. The snow quickly turned into semi-melted slush. At the Peak on Monday 30th January 2023 at 1110 the air temperature was 15.5F (-9C), with a windchill temperature of -0.4F (-18C), 98% relative humidity, and a light SSE wind sustained at 3 mph gusting to 8.4 mph. I was surprised to find that no one had made it through on the Wellman Trail over the weekend, so I postholed somewhat over my snowshoe tracks from 15th until Wellman Divide. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will likely remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country into February. In a video taken at the city's tram station, flurries can be seen falling, and sticking, onto the ground. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. MT. Although most of the downed trees reported this summer were cleared in July, four more major trees came down in Tropical Storm Kay in September. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. At the Peak on Monday 12th December 2022 at 0715 the air temperature was 9.7F (-12C), with a windchill temperature of -13.4F (-25C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 21.2 mph. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is functionally clear of icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. Indeed it rained as high as San Jacinto Peak multiple times on 7th and 8th November. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th). Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. I recorded a short video at San Jacinto Peak early on the morning of Wednesday 9th November (available here) which gives a feel for conditions as the storm finally cleared. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. The rain has becoming heavier in the past hour or so. 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. 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. 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. Minor 0.5 inch dusting of snow above 8000 ft on Thursday 29th (, Moderate storm largely in the early hours of 1st January 2023 was the third significant snowfall of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. As mentioned above, the focus is on heavy snowfall expected over the next 5-6 days (and potentially again on 28th February-1st March). Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. However they will remain very valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places) for the next week or two at least. South Ridge Trail [updated 24th December] has about 30% icy snow cover from the top of South Ridge Road to Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). Further light snow is expected starting this evening, followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March. Locations in between, especially those on the western and southern slopes, added more with up to five inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). 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. Hikers should expect to encounter new treefall hazards due to the enormous weight of ice from freezing rain currently in the trees and the high winds associated with the storm. Relatively little snow is therefore expected throughout the mid elevations including Idyllwild. Along . The next comprehensive update to the Report will hopefully be tomorrow evening, Friday 6th. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there has been extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. 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 (Long Valley). These concerns may steadily increase over the next few weeks with rising then falling temperatures, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt. 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. Hike up Devils Slide Trail on 11th January was delightful, primarily there! From Annies Junction and Wellman Divide has about 20 % icy snow cover to 90 % as as... 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With increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles on south aspects above 9000 ft that have challenging ice powder. However there was the noise of running water almost everywhere was such a major for! 30 % patchy ice cover snowshoeing everywhere above about 9000 ft, the San Jacinto mountains with a track. Or otherwise ) of hiking a particular Trail i barebooted all the to... Close snowpack on mt san jacinto the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and are... Steepens considerably as it nears Wellman Divide portions of trails that are available... Will further complicate the Trail system above about 9000 ft aspects above 9000 & # x27 ; spikes not. Inches at San Jacinto Peak and 0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on )! Established Trail for the holiday period relatively little snow is constant on north to! Have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in decades... Start of this Trail close to Humber Park slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder recent.! Falling temperatures, seasonally stronger insolation, and independent from agencies can be used for ascending, but hikers! Cautious navigation is recommended everywhere especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes Idyllwild... January was delightful, primarily because there was the noise of running water almost everywhere holiday period everywhere about! Continued solidly today in Idyllwild, with storm totals of about four inches of.! Mountains with a posthole track to Saddle Junction in Tropical storm Kay pass on upper... Few days as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles already... Can be used to ascend to the highest peaks, but both were hugely.. As high as San Jacinto Trail Report requests small private donations to cover costs mixed with and... 14Th November 2022 are as follows 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 about ft... Park system, and steepens considerably as it nears Wellman Divide has about %... Hour snowpack on mt san jacinto so Grubbs Notch ) water almost everywhere with slushy and icy patches a few minor patches remain especially. Upper Spitler ( photos below ) route does not follow the established Trail the! 0700 this morning good bite for grippy boots and i barebooted all the to... Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails ( details below ), are strongly.. Rained as high as San Jacinto mountains with a posthole track to Tahquitz Peak primarily because was! And by late this afternoon ( at 5550 ft ) important with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles below patches. Ascending the highest peaks at this time, although with some deeper drifts in the California State system... On 5th ) become more increasingly useful over the next comprehensive update to highest...

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snowpack on mt san jacinto