snowpack on mt san jacintosnowpack on mt san jacinto

This latest storm was again very mild, as expected from an atmospheric river system pulling moisture in from warmer latitudes. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 7500 ft moderately, snow-covered. Long Valley (8600 ft) has received about 1.0 inch fresh snow this morning. Currently few major trail routes have been traveled and even those may become partially obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Snow is virtually continuous from there to San Jacinto Peak, with an excellent track to follow. Semi trucks parked at the Golden Acorn Casino & Travel Center in Boulevard are shown on Feb. 24, 2023. Although excellent tracks are now in place and clearly visible for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. 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. However this may change next week with new snowfall possible as discussed below. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 1st February 2023 at 0935 the air temperature was 16.6F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -8.0F (-22C), 13% relative humidity, and a wild NNE wind sustained at 21 mph gusting to 35.2 mph. 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). 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. As of the afternoon of Sunday 1st, 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). Snowshoes are not required anywhere, as recent experience has shown that off-trail snow is now too shallow and/or patchy for snowshoes. A winter storm will continue to move through California today then into the Four Corners on Sunday bringing significant mountain snow, strong winds with blizzard conditions, lower elevation snow where snow is unusual, and well below normal temperatures. Snow cover is a patchy 20% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.5 mile (roughly 8600 ft). However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for almost all major trails (details below). The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Willow Creek Trail remains a relatively slow, messy hike for a couple of miles. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak [checked 20th January] has no steps to follow through the steeply angled ice with overlying deep snow. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. Following an unusually warm weekend, multiple atmospheric river storms will bring cold, cloudy weather with variable precipitation from Tuesday 27th December well into the first week of January. There are no significant changes to snow/ice conditions, and advice below basically spikes recommended throughout the high country remains valid. On Monday 13th I also postholed the entire hike, as I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Crunchy layers as high as 9800 ft elevation told me it had rained that high at the start of the storm yesterday, but conversely there was very light snow (<1 inch) down to 5500 ft in Idyllwild. Conditions remain very unsettled for the first week of January. I put in a posthole track the entire way up, but crampons (with an ice axe) were essential at that time on the upper switchbacks above about 8300 ft due to the typical steeply angled ice obscured underneath 6-12 inches of powder (photos below). Very light precipitation well before first light this morning included a dusting of snow above 6000 ft, <0.25 inch below 8000 ft and about 0.25 inch above that elevation, plus 0.03 inch of drizzle in Idyllwild. 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. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route, as discussed below. Make Yahoo Your Homepage Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. No fresh snow fell overnight, with storm totals of about nine inches at San Jacinto Peak and 0.5 inch in Idyllwild unchanged. Snowshoes are recommended everywhere with snow above 4000 ft, potentially lower in places, and spikes are invaluable anywhere that has been cleared or compacted. Further strong winds and blowing powder had eliminated much of these tracks again by Wednesday, and I again largely re-broke trail that day too. On multiple recent ascents of San Jacinto Peak I have generally ascended and descended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes). However, snowshoes may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. On 2nd, 5th, and 6th we barebooted to San Jacinto Peak on well-traveled and compacted tracks through increasingly patchy light icy snow. Spikes will become increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. In the high country temperatures will be 10-20F above seasonal and, more significantly regarding snow/ice conditions, well above freezing for at least a week. By using snowshoes, crampons, or even just microspikes, we were able to hike Mount San Jacinto's summit every month of the year. Snowshoes are no longer required on the established trail system, which is now too compacted for snowshoes. A storm currently predicted for Wednesday 22nd February is tentatively forecast to have near record low (i.e. but probably light rain and/or about an inch of snow at the elevation of Idyllwild. The atmospheric river of moisture from lower latitudes was weaker than the storm in early November, although snowfall was ultimately slightly greater in this storm than in November, perhaps in part due to the colder temperatures. The East Ridge Trail (from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak) has a handful of tracks through the continuous snow, though none (including mine) accurately follow the trail route. However the track is very useful and it is best to follow that route. At the Peak on Sunday 15th January 2023 at 0750 the air temperature was 17.8F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -5.6F (-21C), 100% relative humidity, and a wild SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 30.2 mph. Wet winters can dump several feet of snow, while dry winters may only result in a few inches here and there. There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. Deep snow at 10,500 feet Reliable tracks are currently only known to be my posthole tracks from 15th for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via the Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails, and then descending Deer Springs Trail. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Through and below Little Round Valley, my track almost entirely follows the established trail. This may change after the weekend. Both storms produced more snow than was generally forecast. Snowfall at the elevation of Long Valley (8600 ft) has been similarly steady, and 3-4 inches of fresh powder there takes the total depth close to one foot. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. The system averaged colder than the November storm, with more snow at lower elevations, although it was still notable that it initially rained as high as 9500 ft on the morning of Sunday 11th. Two significant further atmospheric river storm systems are forecast, on Tuesday 10th, and then again on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th. However, relatively well-traveled tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below). Average snow cover is 40%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. Temperatures will climb steadily this week and be well above seasonal for at least 21st-28th December. Current air temperature at San Jacinto Peak is 17.8F (-8C) with a windchill of -5.6F (-21C) and a steady SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 30.2 mph. My 2022 survey counted 97 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) additional light rain this morning has added up to 0.1 inch. Discover this 5.6-mile out-and-back trail near Palm Springs, California. There is steep, dangerous snow along the PCT on Mount San Jacinto, and in the mountains further north all the way to Canada. South Ridge Road (5S11) is currently closed to vehicle traffic but is rapidly clearing [checked Saturday 17th] of snow. Spikes could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing (e.g., see photo below). Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! It finally stopped snowing at about 0700, and some blue sky has resulted in spectacular vistas. Current forecasts suggest that there may be significant snowfall on Sunday 29th-Monday 30th January at all elevations, but some warming and steady snow melt likely on either side of that date. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains 3-8 inches deep in places. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket. Altitudes are approximate. With two further minor snowfalls possible in January, and strong winds in the high country expected on some days causing substantial spindrift, tracks broken through the snow may not last long. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the ease (or otherwise) of hiking a given trail. 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. Cold clouds in the high country produced thick rime on the trees above about 10,200 ft elevation on 1st December (photo from 2nd below) but otherwise no meaningful precipitation. Snowshoes can be rented at our Adventure Center. Early morning hikes to San Jacinto Peak have generally had icy snow underfoot with sufficient bite for grippy boots, allowing me to bareboot all the way to San Jacinto Peak. The Mammoth Mountain ski resort has received 41.5 feet (12.6 meters) of snow since October and could be on a path to break the all-time snow season record of 55.7 feet (17 meters) set in 2010-2011. 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. Overall, melting is proceeding somewhat faster than expected but this holiday weekend trails will remain very icy. My tracks from today (Friday 6th January) from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak and back will be largely visible but will be somewhat obscured in places. Trails down to 5000 ft elevation currently have patchy shallow snow cover. The snow continues unabated, although the pace has slowed somewhat in the past hour. 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. Early on the morning of Saturday 17th I broke trail back-and-forth across the 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak which now has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder (photo below). The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. The high country currently has the deepest snow accumulation in the San Jacinto mountains in almost four years, since March 2019. It is especially obscure 0.1-0.3 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious near Caramba. Idyllwild received 2.75 inches, and I measured five inches at San Jacinto Peak on my hike through the storm this morning, with 3-4 inches at locations in between. It turned to occasional light snow showers at about 1430, with just 0.5 inch settled so far. Between November 2021 and May 2022, 61 downed trees were removed and almost the entire trail thoroughly trimmed and cleared. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. Tracks of myself and a couple of others from recent days were largely visible up Devils Slide Trail, and I barebooted to Saddle Junction through thin powder overlying ice. she said. Note that tracks discussed are obscured quickly by heavy drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. Altitudes are approximate. Indeed a wild wind in the high country that day was erasing tracks within hours or even minutes (see photos below). 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. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 11th January 2023 are as follows. 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. I switched to crampons and then finished breaking the Peak Trail through to near Miller Peak (photo below). UPDATE Wednesday 14th December 2022: Early this morning Anabel and I broke trail up Spitler Peak Trail to the PCT. The rain has becoming heavier in the past hour or so. Thereafter a cooling trend will take temperatures well below seasonal again including the possibility of minor precipitation on 11th-15th February. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. Many locations below 9000 ft had actually experienced a net loss of snow depth, as the (relatively) warm rain had melted and compacted the pre-existing snow, and so little new snow fell subsequently. Most days will be at least partly cloudy. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Icy snow cover is 60% overall, becoming increasingly patchy below about 7000 ft, and again in the sun-exposed areas above 8000 ft. Spikes are useful, especially for descending. 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. The high country remained above the cloud for this one, with no fresh snowfall above about 8000 ft. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 2nd-5th December 2022 are as follows, with depths after the only significant storm of this winter to date (on 9th November) for comparison in parentheses where known. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. Some hikers will find spikes are useful at least for descending. As I described above, spikes tend to be much more valuable for descending trails rather than ascending. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended everywhere above about 8500 ft, and 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, on both flanks but especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. Consequently the next comprehensive Report update will probably be published on Wednesday 15th February. Only 2.5 inches of snow fell at San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft) decreasing to 0.25 inch in upper Fern Valley (at approximately 6000 ft). They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. 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. I snowshoed down from San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, Saddle Junction, and Devils Slide Trail. The twelfth storm system of winter 2022/23 impacted the San Jacinto mountains with a minor snow storm on 29th-30th January. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, possibly lower in places. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 9th November 2022 are as follows. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. New treefall hazards on major trails have been reported to relevant agencies, and those on Spitler Peak Trail have already been cleared by the Trail Report. UPDATE 17th November 2022: as predicted, and even as melting proceeds steadily, trails are getting increasing icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles, and spikes are recommended throughout the trail system above about 7000 ft. On my hike to San Jacinto Peak this morning, again I did not need spikes to ascend, but they were invaluable for descending all the way down to upper Devils Slide Trail. The latest Trail Report (linked here) mentions the increasing avalanche risk with recent heavy wind-loaded snowfall on top of the icy pre-existing snow, and how avalanches occur every winter on the north face (contrary to erroneous information in recent local media stories). The highest peaks appeared to add slightly less snow than some lower locations, probably because they were above the cloud for some of the precipitation events. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (no snow, 1.26 inches rain on 10th). As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. From the top of Marion, the route is well-traveled but pretty uneven, up into Little Round Valley. The mountain snow level is expected to drop to 6,000 feet by Wednesday morning . 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. As discussed above, multiple additional snowfalls forecast for 14th-18th January will further complicate the trail conditions. Excessive precipitation of 1.3" (33mm) is anticipated. 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. Currently, and as conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft. The other bonus was an immaculate set of fresh Mountain Lion tracks in the trail (photos below), with sign that the lion had crossed back-and-forth across Devils Slide in multiple locations further up also. Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures well 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). 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. On the mornings of both Wednesday 1st February and Monday 30th January I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails), descending the same way. Please check this page for periodic updates throughout the storm (the most recent is at the top). Mountain Sunrise Hike and Meditation in Palm Springs. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 40-45 inches [2 inches] (45-48 inches), drifted >50 inches in places, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 45 inches, heavily drifted, measured 23rd January, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 40 inches [2 inches] (45 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches [4 inches] (48 inches), Tahquitz Peak (8836 ft): 25 inches, heavily drifted to 40 inches in places, measured 20th January, Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 36 inches, measured 23rd January, Long Valley (8600 ft): 22 inches [2 inches] (24 inches), Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8100 ft): 15 inches, measured 23rd January, Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 22 inches [5 inches] (22 inches), Suicide Rock Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (6950 ft): 3 inches, measured 23rd January, Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4-5 inches [4 inches] (6 inches) already melting afternoon of 30th, Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-2 inches [3.5 inches] (3-4 inches) rapidly melting afternoon of 30th. 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Early this morning but pretty uneven, up into Little Round Valley ;. Locations on the established trail on sun-exposed slopes and freeze-thaw cycles will to...

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