Of those, 27 are in the 0.6 mile section between Willow Creek crossing and the State Park boundary. 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. Snow at all elevations will become increasingly firm and icy following multiple freeze-thaw cycles, and compaction by increasing hiker traffic in places, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of having both appropriate equipment and the right skill set for the terrain. Current forecasts suggest that the moderate storm on 14th-15th January may be cooler than the Tuesday storm, with somewhat more snow at lower elevations. Basically, now would be a nice time to go to the beach." High freeze levels may mean rain and/or freezing rain at the highest peaks at times, and icy or mixed snow/ice conditions at all elevations. 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. If this lower lot is full or you do not have your Forest Adventure Pass with you, park in the smaller gravel lot to the left. 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). They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. 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. Above seasonal temperatures will continue until Sunday 27th November. 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). I switched to crampons and then finished breaking the Peak Trail through to near Miller Peak (photo below). Map showing recreational areas. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. The icy conditions are the third deadly threat in the mountains, which were ravaged first by fires, then flash floods late last year. Spikes are recommended but not required depending upon your comfort level hiking on angled icy snow. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. By Lance Pugmire and Janet Wilson
Times Staff Writers
January 22, 2004
With four Southland hikers dead since New Year's Day and two more missing, authorities on Wednesday closed a popular Mt. SGWA is testing a new interactive trail map! All trails above about 5000 ft are currently snow-covered. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 22nd-27th December 2022 are as follows. Looking for partner (s) for these tentative scheduled hikes - see my Meetup SoCal Mountain Running & Mountaineering or DM me for more info. There is a relatively well-traveled track on the Round Valley Trail from Long Valley through to Wellman Divide. 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. I barebooted to 9000 ft, then snowshoed the rest of the way through lovely light powder. Mike, You might want to use this one instead
I hope to provide more information on the high country situation on Sunday 26th, depending on conditions/weather. Crampons (or perhaps spikes or snowshoes on some days) are recommended.
At the Peak on Wednesday 11th January 2023 at 0915 the air temperature was 24.0F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 5.8F (-15C), 74% relative humidity, and a bitter NNW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 24.5 mph. Spikes are not required. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Sites that are currently available: (2) Palm Innovation Academy - 2:05 PM-5:35 PM (2) Three Rings Ranch Elementary - 3:00 PM-6:30 PM (1) Sundance Elementary 2:20 PM- 5:50 PM (2) Summerwind Trails- 2:20 PM-5:50 PM (2) San Gorgonio Middle School- 2:45 PM-6:15 PM (1) Mountain View Middle School- 2:30 PM-6:00 PM Incomplete applications and . No longer required at all the San Gorgonio Trailheads - only South Fork, Vivian, and Momyer still require it. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. They will be especially valuable on well-consolidated tracks over the coming 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 Ernie Maxwell Trail is functionally clear of icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. Its proximity to scenic trails and nearby mountain lakes and streams make the campground a great . Spikes will not be required by most hikers, depending upon comfort level hiking on patchy angled icy snow. Current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness feeling more typical for April or May than late November. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains up to 12 inches deep in places. It was very disturbing to see. more We were heading NB from Horsethief Canyon to the Interstate 15. Hiking Mount San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek Trail is quite the challenge. Through and below Little Round Valley, my track almost entirely follows the established trail. FOLLOW A FEW SIMPLE RULES, Your contribution helps SGWA protect the Wilderness and educate visitors! However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 8000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Days change quickly from pleasant to snow and ice. There is considerable uncertainty regarding timing and precipitation amounts for Southern California. website belongs to an official government organization in the
3 Beds. March 4 - San Gorgonio via Dobbs ridge/peak and return same route. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder. At the Peak 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. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for mid to upper elevations (at least >6000 ft) for the foreseeable future. There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. I measured 15 inches of snow during a check of Devils Slide trailhead (6520 ft) at Humber Park this morning. 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). Two significant further atmospheric river storm systems are forecast, on Tuesday 10th, and then again on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th. The finally push to the summit from Sky High trail was relatively easy. These storms are each expected to produce a further 4-6 inches of snow. (6), Images I recorded an overly rambling and partly wind affected video report from San Jacinto Peak late morning on Wednesday 18th, available here on YouTube, but it does give a sense for the conditions underfoot at the highest elevations, and for the spectacular vista that day. Hopefully someone will update the trail description with respect to the total miles. Thereafter a cooling trend will take temperatures well below seasonal again including the possibility of minor precipitation on 11th-15th February. *
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Times staff writer Dave McKibben contributed to this report. Reports are that the Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio is basically clear of snow. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 5000 ft, potentially lower in places. Currently few major trail routes have been traveled and even those may become partially obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs. A storm currently predicted for Wednesday 22nd February is tentatively forecast to have near record low (i.e. 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. You will enter San Gorgonio Wilderness as the trail begins to gentle down. 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. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th). Long Valley (8600 ft) has added about two inches, where it continues to snow gently this morning. Temperatures will be below freezing (max 28F on Mon night, min 25F on Wed morning). Forsee via Jackstraw 15.18 miles, 4,702' gain. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. 3407 Calle Sin Rival is a 2956 square foot property with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. . SOLD JUN 7, 2022. 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. Marion Mountain Trail [updated 15th] has a mix of snowshoe and posthole tracks all the way up to its junction with Deer Springs Trail. Forecasts indicate we will get a few more inches of snow overnight on 2nd-3rd January, and again on Thursday 5th January. Deer Springs Trail [updated 15th December] now has an accurate snowshoe track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak as I broke trail the entire way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction on the afternoon of 15th. This is frankly grossly misleading and in reality both trails no longer exist and are so completely overgrown I strongly advise hikers do not attempt to follow them. It's remote trailhead is probibly the only reason it's not as popular as the other routes. And he said he doesn't have any doubt that his friend is still alive. 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. 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. Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. Spikes are recommended. Nice postcard view of Dry Lake covered in untouched snow. There is a very visible boot track through light snow in places in its upper switchbacks to the PCT. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. My 2022 survey counted 97 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Melting on sun-exposed slopes is already well underway, e.g., on lower Devils Slide Trail, South Ridge and Deer Springs trails. 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. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (no snow, 1.26 inches rain on 10th). That said, the going was extremely easy as the rain layer on top of the snow remaining for earlier storms had completely frozen, so I was only having to break trail through an inch or two of fine powder.