At the Peak on Friday 6th January 2023 at 0930 the air temperature was 25.7F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 14.7F (-10C), 44% relative humidity, and a chilly NNW breeze sustained at 5 mph gusting to 10.6 mph. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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. This will make trail conditions more complicated, and if in any doubt whatsoever carry and use traction devices accordingly (see discussion in introduction above). 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. 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. 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. The freeze level will again start very high, but is forecast to fall lower, with the possibility of a light dusting of snow down to about 5500 ft. Another inch of rain is forecast for mid elevations, but a heavier snowfall is expected in the high country, with predictions ranging from 8-20 inches above 10,000 ft. Further precipitation is tentatively forecast for 3rd-6th January, but amounts, timing, and freeze levels remain uncertain this far ahead. 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. 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. 24F-4C . From near Miller Peak, I did not continue to break trail on the Peak Trail, but instead turned up the East Ridge, breaking a track roughly along the route of the old East Ridge Trail. Some north aspects are holding slick ice all day. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures 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). 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. Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since the early November storm, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. That is expected to change, with up to several inches of snow forecast both in the high country and at mid elevations tonight. At the Peak on Wednesday 18th January 2023 at 1115 the air temperature was 16.8F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -3.6F (-20C), 27% relative humidity, and a frigid NNW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 25.8 mph. Tap on a box to see the date. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures 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). Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. [UPDATE 1st December 2022: the double storm system that looks likely to bring significant precipitation to northern and central California appears to be missing the San Jacinto mountains, despite optimistic forecasts over the previous week. As I snowshoed down past 9000 ft elevation it was clear from a layer of ice underfoot that after a light snowfall, there had been rain on top of snow, before it started snowing again on top of that Sunday morning. All have been reported to US Forest Service. For both storms snow estimates for the highest elevations range from 10-15 inches, with perhaps only an inch of snow in Idyllwild following some rainfall. The peak is also frequently called Mount San Jacinto. Lightly cloudy conditions made for a delightful hike on the evening of Monday 21st ascending San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain and Deer Spring trails, descending the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails). Snow accumulation was initially slow but has been an inch per hour recently, with 2.5 inch added at San Jacinto Peak since late this morning (on top of about 24 inches remaining from prior storms). San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 5-6 inches (was approx. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the challenge (or otherwise) of a given trail. There are no significant changes to snow/ice conditions, and advice below basically spikes recommended throughout the high country remains valid. Be prepared for trails above about 7500 ft (lower in places) obscured by moderate to deep snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. Altitudes are approximate. 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. There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. These storms are currently forecast to each produce at least ten inches of snow at the highest elevations and an inch or more of rain at mid elevations (e.g., in Idyllwild). Unusually for me, I followed the entire route of the established trail down to Little Round Valley. Crampons are recommended for the traversing slopes. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. In my most recent survey there were at least 82 treefall hazards between PCT Miles 170-175 including 20+ major ones, and about six more on PCT Miles 175-177. Make Yahoo Your Homepage Discover something new every day from News, Sports, Finance, Entertainment and more! If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. 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 could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing. 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. 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. There is a well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. With such dramatic rainfall throughout the mountain range in the past two days, and with snow now available for melting in the high country, I do not expect to be reporting on water conditions until next year. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. 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. 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. At this time there is no further significant precipitation forecast prior to mid February. Remarkably Tropical Storm Kay did not add any new treefall hazards to this trail. NA. To see more years, view this page on a wider screen. Above Little Round Valley the track is somewhat less clear and does not entirely accurately follow the establishes trail route. 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. However a couple more inches of snow are expected this afternoon, and also on 2nd and 5th January. The number given is the current average total snow depth. Given cold temperatures for the foreseeable future, melting is expected to slow (or largely stop in the high country). As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. On South Ridge Trail spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. The Wellman Trail track was disappearing under spindrift as I re-broke it on Monday 23rd. This makes for less than perfect snowshoeing conditions, but still preferable to postholing. Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for most hikers. A less intense but slow moving multi-storm system is forecast for Friday 16th-Wednesday 21st. 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). The second system may be more substantial, with precipitation expected most of the day and night of Saturday 31st December into Sunday 1st January. Excessive precipitation of 1.3" (33mm) is anticipated. 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. There had been an additional six inches of snow (plus an unknown amount of rain) since my measurement two days earlier, for a current total snow depth of about 21 inches at Saddle Junction. 10 inches on 9th), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-1 inch (was 4 inches on 9th), Annies Junction/approx. 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. This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since February 2019. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. All trails above about 8000 ft are obscured by snow at this time, and cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The powder was lovely and soft, and overlying a firm icy layer (from all the freezing rain). 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. 24F-4C. The snow continues unabated, although the pace has slowed somewhat in the past hour. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. At the Peak on Thursday 29th December 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 25.8F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 7.2F (-14C), 81% relative humidity, and a harsh WNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 25.4 mph. Another 10+ inches are forecast overnight, which is very possible given current conditions. My track 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. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. 7-Day Weather Live Satellite & Weather Radar. Above Little Round Valley there are multiple tracks through the snow ascending toward San Jacinto Peak, none of which entirely accurately follow the established trail. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is largely clear of icy snow, although quite a few patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. Deep snow at 10,500 feet 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). South Ridge Road (5S11) is currently closed to vehicle traffic but is rapidly clearing [checked Saturday 17th] of snow. One thing Holden was sure of, however, is that Sundays avalanche appeared to be no joke. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. 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). Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it is expected to add freezing rain and/or layers of snow and ice over the next ten days. 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. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail), and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) also closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since the Great Valentines Day flood of 2019. The Peak Trail has about 80% cover of icy snow, largely continuous above 9900 ft. Spikes are recommended. It turned to occasional light snow showers at about 1430, with just 0.5 inch settled so far. In my recent experience off-trail snow is now also largely too shallow and/or patchy for snowshoes. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. Precipitation on Sunday 4th into the early hours of Monday 5th is significantly less likely in the latest models. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is functionally clear of icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. From the top of Marion Mountain Trail icy snow cover is about 90% to Little Round Valley, although there are a few lengthy clear areas on sun-exposed sections. 4 Forecast Elevations: Peak: 10804 ft 8203 ft 4922 ft Base: 1641 ft This table gives the weather forecast for Mount San Jacinto Peak at the specific elevation of 3293 m. Our advanced weather models allow us to provide distinct weather forecasts for several elevations of Mount San Jacinto Peak. Most significantly in terms of snow conditions daytime temperatures at all elevations will be well above freezing for about a week starting 20th. This storm is expected to have two periods of precipitation, one each on 11th and 12th. Please check this page for periodic updates throughout the storms (the most recent is at the top). 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