The peak is one of eleven peaks that are over 10,000 feet in elevation in the southeast portion of the San Bernardino Mountains. Conditions are forecast to remain very unsettled for the first week of January. 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 high country remained above the cloud for this one, with no fresh snowfall above about 8000 ft. 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. South Ridge Road is clear of ice and snow. Thank you for taking the time to read this. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th January 2023 are as follows. UPDATE Monday 13th February: the first of two consecutive minor storms came through this morning, and produced more snow than was generally forecast. One of the most visited National Forest in Southern California. Spikes are recommended. He said Kumm had hiked to 6,500 feet a week earlier with his girlfriend. 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. Sky High Trail (5km) Raywood Flat Trail (5.1km) North Fork Meadows Trail (5.4km) Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. 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. A light snowfall on the evening of Tuesday 21st will be accompanied by very strong winds, and is expected to largely or completely eliminate all tracks above about 7000 ft. Even if there is no precipitation, there will be temperatures well below seasonal on those days. 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. shawnsisler. South Ridge Trail [hiked 13th and 17th December] has a well-traveled posthole track through shallow snow as far as Tahquitz Peak. Days are short and nights are very cold. As mentioned above, the focus is on heavy snowfall expected over the next 5-6 days (and potentially again on 28th February-1st March). After that you have one of the best and most encouraging views of the summit of any route. It's a beautiful hike through pines, cedars . March 2 - Marion Mountain to San Jacinto and return same route. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. The Barton Flats Visitor Center on Hywy 38 and the Fawnskin Ranger Station in Big Bear also can issue these permits. That said, it has just started gently snowing in both locations, so storm totals may increase slightly over the next couple of hours. ( 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. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Potentially dangerous cold is currently forecast for the highest peaks for 14th-23rd January at least. 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. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the challenge (or otherwise) of a given trail. After a 10 mile uphill grind, we summited at 10:45am and it was stunning: beautiful . The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway/Long Valley remain open. It remains well above freezing there, currently at 41F. This table gives the weather forecast for San Gorgonio at the specific elevation of 3505 m. Our advanced weather models allow us to provide distinct weather . "Warning, Extreme Icy Conditions Do Not Hike Alone," stated fliers handed out with hiking permits in the San Gorgonio district of the San Bernardino National Forest beginning Wednesday. With a rapidly changing climate in the region in recent years, it has become increasingly common for there to be little or no difference in snow quantities at mid and higher elevations, often because the high country remains above the cloud, and this system was no exception. An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct and avoids all of the very challenging bushwhacking of the former trails (local hikers Charles Phelan and Mark Gumprecht kindly nicknamed it the King Trail when I established the route in 2019). The first number is the current total snow depth, followed in parentheses by the greatest depth of the winter to date following the latest storm on 11th-12th December. Momyer and Falls Creek current trail conditions? Since then Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow on Friday 20th, but the high country was above the cloud and unaffected. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through light icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. and here's the map showing the closed area :: Some publications list the elevation as 11,502 feet. Hikers should anticipate new treefall hazards in trails we have already found one major new one on the Ernie Maxwell Trail and also that tracks in snow may have been obscured by windblown drifting powder. That is expected to change, with up to several inches of snow forecast both in the high country and at mid elevations tonight. LockA locked padlock The system was generally very mild, with the freeze level near 8000 ft, but this is expected to drop overnight, by which time the precipitation will have largely passed. 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. On 15th I barebooted (i.e. 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. Snowshoes are no longer required anywhere on the established trail system, where snow is now too shallow, icy and compacted. From the 10 freeway (coming east or west), you'll take Highway 38 through Forest Falls to get to the trailhead. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 5-6 inches (was approx. Spikes at least are required, but preferably crampons, both best used with an ice axe, specifically for the uppermost switchbacks, but traction is useful for descending much lower also. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 6000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. His body was found Saturday, nearly 1,000 feet below a spot where a partner thought he had fallen. These can be obtained from any of the ranger stations or from many of the local merchants. The forecasts are very unsettled for the next week, but significant snowfall arrives on Saturday 31st (12+ inches expected in the high country) and may continue on/off until Friday 6th January 2023, potentially totaling 2-3 feet above 10,000 ft elevation. Snow covered Mt. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country well into February. Winds decreasing (severe gales from the W on Mon morning, fresh winds from the WNW by Wed night). I hope to provide more information on the high country situation on Sunday 26th, depending on conditions/weather. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Search and Rescue advises always hike with someone, and not leave your group. Snow cover remains virtually continuous, but a few small patches are clearing below 7000 ft. Spikes are strongly recommended, at least for descending. Devils Slide Trail has a traveled and largely compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. San Bernardino National Forest Near Angelus Oaks, California. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. The main Dry Lake Trail is much steeper and can very slick if conditions are icy. 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. Skyline Trail closed on 26th January due to dangerous weather conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). The trail design is excellent, with the grade perfectly balanced for ascent and descent. (909) 382-2682 (Voice) In general conditions in the remainder of January will be much more settled than for the first half of the month. The Vivian Creek route is the most popular, South Fork is #2 And as a reminder, self-issue permits are only good for that day. In Idyllwild both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of late March or even April than of late December. Temperatures will climb steadily this week and be well above seasonal for at least 21st-28th December. 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. There is a well-traveled track on the lowest section of Deer Springs Trail continuing out to Suicide Rock. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs. Temperatures will be near or generally below seasonal for the next ten days at least. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. FOR SALE $699900 1629 Sams Cy Beaumont, CA 92223 - MLS #EV23032625 | 2 BedsTotal 3.00 Baths! Current road and parking lot condition for South Fork Trailheda. Hikers going above the snow line should carry ice axes and boot spikes and know how to use them. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. 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.