South Ridge Trail from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. Spikes will not be required by most hikers, depending upon comfort level hiking on patchy angled icy snow. Map showing recreational areas. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. At the Peak on Thursday 8th December 2022 at 0900 the air temperature was 28.4F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 12.7F (-11C), 11% relative humidity, and a fresh SW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 9.3 mph. See closure notice link below for more details. The high winds forecast did not materialize, although gusts up to 35 mph have been enough to cause very heavy drifting. 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. These are free and self-issued. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. SOLD JUN 7, 2022. 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). The San Bernardino Mountains are unique in that they have an eastwest orientation, making them transverse to the general northsouth orientation of most of California's coastal mountains. Devils Slide Trail has a well traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. The switchbacks up to Tahquitz Peak average only 20% icy snow cover, but the frequency and length of ice patches increases on the uppermost switchbacks. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 22nd-27th December 2022 are as follows. San Gorgonio. Lightly-traveled snowshoe and/or posthole tracks radiate away from Saddle Junction around the meadow trail and south toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have not checked how accurately they follow established trail routes or how far they continue. However the precipitation amounts and probabilities for both storm systems have varied greatly in recent forecasts, and the models seem to be especially uncertain about details of the second storm (approx. From Laws east to Caramba the route of the original Caramba Trail has been well-cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with very careful route-finding. It finally stopped snowing at about 0700, and some blue sky has resulted in spectacular vistas. Average snow depth around the peak was 24-25 inches, but heavily drifted. Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by drifting snow. Freeze levels will be well below 3000 ft at times, and for example Garner Valley (4300-4800 ft) could receive as much as 6-12 inches of snow this week. Every year seems to have unique challenges and 2023 is already proving to be no exception. ) or https:// means you've safely PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 4-5 inches (5.5 inches on 12th December), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 4-6 inches (6 inches on 12th December), Long Valley (8600 ft): 3-4 inches (5-6 inches on 12th December), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Saddle Junction/approx. March 4 - San Gorgonio via Dobbs ridge/peak and return same route. Trails remain icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, and spikes are useful throughout the trail system above about 9000 ft (lower in places). Although our perceptions may have been skewed by some extremely dry winters in the past decade, major snowfalls are not as rare as many current residents might think. However this may change next week with new snowfall possible as discussed below. Crampons (or perhaps spikes or snowshoes on some days) are recommended. (16), Additions & Corrections MikeH. 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South Fork camps such as Dry and Dollar Lakes are also filling several weeks in advance. Only saw one person all day on the way down (started at 5:30 am). 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. However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). Add : Sale Price: $8.88 . Since the depths given in the previous Report, there has been some melting at higher elevations which have been above the cloud at times, and below 7000 ft where temperatures have remained above freezing for several days. Baldy. Current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness feeling more typical for April or May than late November. Although some treefall hazards from Red Tahquitz to Antsell Rock (PCT Miles 172.5-175) were cleared in June 2021 prior to the rockslide removal work, the situation has badly deteriorated since. Altitudes are approximate. It is especially obscure 0.1-0.3 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious near Caramba. Deer Springs Trail is clear from the Highway 243 trailhead to the Suicide Rock trail junction at 7000 ft, and functionally clear from there to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft), with a few icy snow patches increasing in length and frequency as you ascend. He's a pretty strong-willed guy." Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. At least two further minor storm systems are forecast, overnight into Tuesday 3rd January, and then again all day on Thursday 5th January, as described in more detail in the Weather section below. As we are limited to 6-person crews, it will be a little harder on the personnel but if you are out on the trail during the week, you might see us hard at work. The San Gorgonio Campground provides access to a variety of recreational opportunities, as well as a beautiful location in which to enjoy nature. Even Devils Slide Trail was largely obscured in deep drifted powder (photo below). Since the depths given in the previous Report, there had been very minor storms on 28th and 29th December, which added a couple of inches at the highest elevations, down to 0.5 inch at 8000 ft. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing above about 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. 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. 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. The summit of San Gorgonio (11,499') is 3 miles beyond High Creek, which you can also camp at. Even around the 10,000 ft peaks temperatures are expected to fluctuate either side of freezing for at least the first half of February, which will lead to freeze/thaw cycles and likely icy conditions in the mornings followed by soft, challenging snow in the afternoons. Skyline Trail closed on 26th January due to dangerous weather conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). Accumulation so far of about 0.5 inch in Idyllwild, and one inch at Long Valley. Hard to believe being so close to the Los Angeles/Southern California area.Regarding San Gorgonio's elevation:In keeping with the standard (USGS) for determining US elevations, I have posted the height at 11,490 feet. 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. On Friday 20th I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. Per "Tarol" 6-21-2011The Vivian Creek route is the most popular, South Fork is #2If you want a permit for Vivian for a dayhike on the weekend in the summertime, you must get it 3-4 weeks in advance. 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). These conditions are expected to change significantly over the next ten days due to the highly unsettled weather forecast into early January. Forecast models have a higher degree of confidence for the Tuesday storm than the storm next weekend. Read About these trails in our Hiking Guide . Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (summarized in a prior Report) has been melting steadily as temperatures in the past week have been above seasonal. Even if its warm and sunny at lower elevations, its cold and icy in the wilderness. 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. STAY SAFE!RESCUES IN THE WILDERNESS CAN BE AVOIDED.FOLLOW A FEW SIMPLE RULES, Be prepared Carry Flashlight, Map, Food, Water and Clothing. So don't be fooled into thinking you are going for 16 miles. Trail Conditions. I recorded a short video at the Peak, available here on YouTube. The highest probability of precipitation is early morning on Friday 2nd. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 4 inches (storm total 3.5 inches), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3.5 inches (storm total 3.5 inches). 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. 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave. For day use a permit is required on any of the trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Forest Headquarters 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 may continue for several weeks, or could change given further fresh snowfall forecast. but ideal for snowshoes, which I used from Saddle to San Jacinto Peak and back. I had the pleasure of hiking the Fish Creek Trail on June 22nd. That is expected to change, with up to several inches of snow forecast both in the high country and at mid elevations tonight. All Rights Reserved. Darren Goodman of the sheriff's search-and-rescue team. Hendley described his friend as always well-prepared for a hike. 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). Following the twelfth storm system of this winter on 29th-30th January, temperatures have largely swung to well above seasonal, with melting underway at all elevations, but especially below 8000 ft. Conditions remain very unsettled for the first week of January. These are free and self-issued. Spitler Peak Trail (surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. The snowfall of this 20th storm of the winter brings the seasonal total here to 71.8 inches of snow, which is 233% of the average water year snowfall for Idyllwild. This information will be updated daily over the next week as details are changing significantly with every new forecast. Thank you so much for your support. It leaves the Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction (0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning), descending largely on established deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek just upstream from the old Laws Camp. New treefall hazards on several major trails have been reported, and those on Spitler Peak Trail have already been cleared by the Trail Report. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. The flow of atmospheric river storm systems continues unabated across California. Discover your local Girl Scout council: about Girl Scouts, what they do, what activities are available locally, and how to contact us. Nice postcard view of Dry Lake covered in untouched snow. Cautious navigation remains required for those who do not have significant experience of hiking this trail. Just no way this is accurate. Self-issue permits aren't always available - they oftentimes run out, or get stolen. The State Park campground at Stone Creek is also closed. Note that tracks discussed can be obscured quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in days or even hours. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. 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. With such strong Santa Ana winds on Thursday 26th causing extensive drifting, and a light snowfall early on 30th, by the 30th prior tracks had been thoroughly erased and I was once again breaking trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak, largely through relatively shallow powder. Forecasts remain more uncertain about the second wave of stormy weather on 16th-18th January. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. Thereafter a cooling trend will take temperatures well below seasonal again including the possibility of minor precipitation on 11th-15th February. This will make trail conditions more complicated, and if in any doubt whatsoever carry and use traction devices accordingly (see discussion in introduction above). Spikes are useful at least for descending. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. San Gorgonio, located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. San Bernadino Peak Trail Conditions. However, relatively well-traveled tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below). 3407 Calle Sin Rival is located in San Clemente, the 92673 zipcode, and the Capistrano Unified School District. In Idyllwild at 5550 ft, rainfall storm total today is 1.14 inches. Spikes can be useful for descending in particular. 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. 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. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. Forecasts suggest it may stop snowing in the next few hours. Strong winds expected on 11th-12th, and again on 14th, will likely obscure many tracks. momyer-open-map. . Rainfall in Idyllwild (at 5550ft) has also maintained a steady pace, with close to 0.7 inch so far today. Spikes could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing. A rapidly warming montane climate, with changes especially striking at high elevation, is exacerbating all of these issues. 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. UPDATE Tuesday 10th January: Another minor and relatively warm storm is passing through our mountains today. In fact on my hike to San Jacinto Peak on Monday 13th through steady morning snow I could barely tell the difference in snow depths from the previous week, as the few inches of fresh snow had almost exactly replaced the few inches of depth that had melted over the previous week. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is functionally clear of icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. connected to the .gov website. "I'm assuming, with all the snow, he just got turned around," Henley said. Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow in its upper switchbacks to the PCT.