Just wanted to note your elevation source for 11,490' lists the elevation @ 11,499'. . However a couple more inches of snow are expected this afternoon, and also on 2nd and 5th January. The highest probability of precipitation is early morning on Friday 2nd. Conversely on the afternoon of Tuesday 6th the ice was distinctly more watery, and I wore spikes from San Jacinto Peak down to Wellman Divide (9700 ft). In combination with the four inches of rain since Saturday, not to mention the many inches of rain earlier this winter, the mid elevations, including the mountain communities, are now best described as a very soggy and slushy mess. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 25-27 inches (includes 2.5 inches snow added on 10th January) but very heavily drifted, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 24 inches (2 inches on 10th January), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail/PCT Mile 184.9 (8700 ft): 13 inches (1 inch snow on 10th), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus 1.5 inches rain on 10th), Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183.3 (8100 ft): 6 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Deer Springs Trail at Suicide Rock Trail junction (6950 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0.5 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th). Snow cover remains >95% through Little Round Valley up to San Jacinto Peak. The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). Weve had a long break due to the Covid-19 issues, but after developing a set of safety procedures our teams are back in business. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. At home at 5550 ft in Idyllwild we recorded 10.9F (-12C), the lowest temperature we have recorded there in nine winters.
Randonnes autour de Sand To Snow National Monument When Anabel and I waded out for a modest walk, the snowplows seemed to be struggling to keep up on the streets, but we know they will catch up in due course. All trails above about 6500 ft remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. History of the San Gorgonio Wilderness; History of the SGWA; Newsletters; 2022 SGWA Yearbook; 2021 SGWA Yearbook; 2020 SGWA Yearbook; 2019 SGWA Yearbook; Contact; Events. Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 2nd February] has a heavily traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Final totals for Idyllwild for the three day storm event were 6.5 inches of snow, plus an impressive 5.06 inches of rain. The State Park campground at Stone Creek is also closed. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Sunday 19th February 2023 at 1015 the air temperature was 19.6F (-7C), with a windchill temperature of 4.1F (-16C), 44% relative humidity, and a moderate SSE wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14 mph. 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). The upper end of this trail offers outstanding views of Yucaipa Ridge and Galena Peak, as well as sweeping . 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. Current Trail Conditions They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. "He usually goes with his girlfriend or a buddy," said Hendley, who lives across the street from Kumm. Melting and freeze/thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain for the remainder of February. Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 6500 ft. (
When the gate is closed there are still nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). It was near-whiteout conditions due to wild spindrift above Wellman Divide, but the new snow was firm and overall made for good snowshoeing conditions. A significant warming trend is expected for later this week and next weekend at all elevations, with significant melting likely, before cooling slightly Monday 6th February but remaining slightly above seasonal. Skyline Trail is now largely clear, but has very limited patchy, thin, icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Those systems are summarized here: Conditions will remain very unsettled throughout the second and third weeks of January.
Special District Detail - publicpay.ca.gov 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 Palm Springs Aerial Tramway/Long Valley remain open. Donate via PayPal using the link below, Viewing 15 topics - 1 through 15 (of 533 total), Overnight Whitewater Preserve- 1/28/2023. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has no steps to follow through the steeply angled icy snow. Steady melting of snow, especially on sun-exposed slopes, and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. San Gorgonio Mountain is the highest peak in California south of the Sierra at 11,499 ft. As discussed above, multiple additional snowfalls forecast for 14th-18th January will further complicate the trail conditions. "It's just a sheet of ice up there," said John Amrhein, emergency services coordinator for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Despite warmer temperatures on some days, hikers should be prepared for temperatures near freezing in the high country, and generally below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). With two further snowfalls expected in the next ten days, and moderate to strong winds in the high country expected for most of those days causing some daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system may remain completely or somewhat obscured by moderate snow at least into the third week of January. and here's the map showing the closed area ::
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. 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. A few trees were cut by chainsaw at the far (Hidden Divide) end of the Forest Service section recently, presumably by a CCC or State Park crew. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park remains open and the parking area has been largely plowed. Temperatures will be below seasonal for December for at least the next week, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy. (21 ), Google Search for 'San Gorgonio Wilderness', http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/, Bear Flat, C2C, Vivian Creek: SoCal Triple Crown, The Hard Way, A Sleepless Winter Night On Top San Gorgonio, Southern California County Highpoints Tour, Cactus to Clouds, 9 Peak Traverse, and Baldy for the SoCal Triple Crown, Ascent of San Gorgonio - snowboarding down, My Personal "San Bernardino Mtns Trail Marathon", Spring Ascent of San Gorgonio's North Face. Momyer 13.2 miles, 6,062' gain
Camping Shade Solitude Views / Vista. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. Turn right onto San Bernardino Peak Trail and finally gain the San Gorgonio summit. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. Winter conditions exist in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Although not essential, spikes are recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. This is a popular trail for backpacking, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Both Mt. Crampons are recommended for the traversing slopes. The top ten snowfall totals by winter for Idyllwild are as follows: While many hundreds of hours of time and labor are volunteered annually, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover modest operating costs. Spikes are not required. 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. Snow depths are expected to change multiple times over the next ten days due to mixed precipitation, including even possibly loss of snow at mid elevations due to rainfall. Snow depths measured at many locations on the trail system on 11th January are given at the foot of this posting. Searchers planned to be back out this morning looking for both men. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. There is an excellent snowshoe track to follow on the Wellman Trail and the Peak Trail up to San Jacinto Peak. Use this trailhead address: South Fork Trail 1E04, 40800-40894 Jenks Lake Rd W, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305. These positions are for the after-school program. The Vivian Creek Trail is definitely more than 7.8mi. At the on Monday 5th December 2022 at 0840 the air temperature was 24.1F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 2.8F (-16C), 20% relative humidity, and a bitter WSW wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 33.0 mph. In general conditions in the remainder of January will be much more settled than for the first half of the month. In my recent experience off-trail snow is now also largely too shallow and/or patchy for snowshoes. However the high country has been largely above this precipitation, with the sun even trying to peek out at times in Long Valley, and only about another inch of snow was added there this morning. Todays rainfall total has passed an inch in Idyllwild, and various locations in Pine Cove (5800-6500 ft) were reporting 1.1 to 1.3 inches two hours ago.
All in all, I found the Fish Creek Trail to be a great way to go. The storm sequence starts with a minor storm on the night of Tuesday 21st, which may only produce 2-3 inches of snow at all elevations, but accompanied by high winds and bitterly cold temperatures. 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 peak is one of eleven peaks that are over 10,000 feet in elevation in the southeast portion of the San Bernardino Mountains. 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. Spikes are expected to remain extremely useful over the next few weeks given the unpredictable weather. My Actual Distance: 18.4 miles. Rescuers typically are called out about 90 times a year, but rarely in such close succession. Vivian Creek 9.3 miles 5,422' gain
The next, much more substantial, wave of snow arrives later this afternoon. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. 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. The San Gorgonio Mountain maintains the longest recorded line of sight in the contiguous United States it is plainly visible from the summit of Mount Whitney, 190 miles away.
40789 Oregon Trail, Cherry Valley, CA 92223 - MLS EV23025164 - Coldwell Although excellent tracks are now in place and clearly visible for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. Turn around take a look, establish points of reference, a mountain top you can see or a particular rock formation, that will take you home. The main track is clearest just above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. My 2022 survey counted 97 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. Go right and continue for 4.5 miles to the Falls Recreation Area, past the town of Forest Falls. Relatively little snow is therefore expected throughout the mid elevations including Idyllwild. Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track to follow. Altitudes are approximate. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. Snow cover is about 80% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter essentially continuous to San Jacinto Peak. 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. Current forecasts for precipitation suggest as much as three inches of rain around the elevation of Idyllwild (5000-6000 ft) between the evening of Tuesday 27th December 2022 and Friday 6th January 2023. Although snow depths are not generally sufficient to obscure the routes of the major trails, cautious navigation is recommended everywhere for the next few days in particular until tracks through the snow are in place. As last week, I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. At this time there is no further significant precipitation forecast prior to mid February. For day use a permit is required on any of the trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. However avalanche risk may become significant over the next week if we receive a major wind-loaded snowfall on top of the deep, hardened base of snow currently in place. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. Locations in between, especially those on the western and southern slopes, added more with up to five inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). On the mountaintop, the ice continues to stay, and if hikers continue going up there, we're going to continue to have problems." 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. This was tricky for postholing which went through the ice layer. 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. In Idyllwild at 5550 ft, rainfall storm total today is 1.14 inches. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds there has been drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (summarized here) has been melting steadily at mid elevations but more slowly in the high country given the relative weakness of the sun at this time of year. For about one mile north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is only a patchy 30% on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) and then averages about 50% on the Wellman Trail, but then icy snow cover is about 95% on the Peak Trail to San Jacinto Peak. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures near or below freezing in the high country, and generally well below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). 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. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks (see photo below).
641 Avenida Vaquero, San Clemente, CA 92673 | Redfin As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently ideal everywhere above about 9500 ft. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Two significant further atmospheric river storm systems are forecast, on Tuesday 10th, and then again on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail has a well-traveled track to follow throughout its length, snow cover is about 80%. At 11,499 feet, San Gorgonio Mountain is the highest peak in California south of the Sierra. On the morning of Monday 6th February I ascended San Jacinto Peak for the fifth time in the past two weeks, this time via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails), descending the same way. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. On my ascent I put crampons on at Wellmans Cienega (9300 ft) and they were more-or-less essential for traversing the icy slopes of the Peak Trail. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous.
Forum: Trail Conditions | San Gorgonio Wilderness Association There is a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. UPDATE Tuesday 10th January: Another minor and relatively warm storm is passing through our mountains today. Check out this 25.0-mile point-to-point trail near Forest Falls, California. Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for hiking. Snowshoes are not required anywhere on the established trail system, where snow is now too shallow, icy and compacted. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 0-1 inch, photo below (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 1-2 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 0-1 inch [measured 26th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 0 inch [measured 26th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): <1 inch (was 2-3 inches on 9th), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0 inch (was approx. 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. Through and below Little Round Valley, my track almost entirely follows the established trail. As mentioned last week, current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness typical of April rather than December. This can't be correct. Time: ~10 hours. San Gorgonio Wilderness Map. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently lightly (or above 8000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 18th January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows. 0:04. Whether you're a Girl Scout, a volunteer, or a family member, decide what you'll do next in your Girl Scout experience. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 6th February 2023 at 0930 the air temperature was 11.1F (-12C), with a windchill temperature of -11.0F (-24C), 59% relative humidity, and a frigid NNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 20.2 mph.