There is an average of 9-10 inches of fresh powder so far today at San Jacinto Peak, and about 5 inches in Long Valley. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. As I described above, spikes tend to be much more valuable for descending trails rather than ascending. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. The storm expected on 28th November failed to materialize, producing only below average temperatures, wind, and spectacular clouds (photos below). Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations for the foreseeable future. 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. Temperatures are expected to remain below average for January for the remainder of the month in Strawberry Valley (Idyllwild area), but are forecast to swing well above average (above freezing) for the highest elevations on 21st-26th January. Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. potentially dangerous) windchill temperatures. Current known total accumulations are 4 inches in Idyllwild, 6 inches at Devils Slide Trailhead, 9 inches at Saddle Junction, and 8 inches at Long Valley. Mountain High. Altitudes are approximate. Holden said he could not recall the last time there had been an avalanche on Mount San Jacinto. but ideal for snowshoes, which I used from Saddle to San Jacinto Peak and back. With such dramatic rainfall throughout the mountain range last week, and with snow now available for melting in the high country, I do not expect to be reporting on water conditions until next year. Thank you for taking the time to read this. An excellent track is easy to follow to Little Round Valley. Extremely cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Relatively little snow is therefore expected throughout the mid elevations including Idyllwild. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, the Wellman Trail, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, on both flanks but especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. On the morning of Wednesday 15th February I ascended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes), descending the western side via roughly Deer Springs Trail. SNOW DEPTHS measured (largely) on 21st November 2022 are as follows, with depths from 9th November 2022 in parentheses where known. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 6 inches, Long Valley (8600 ft): 2-3 inches [special thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Saddle Junction/approx. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently ideal everywhere above about 9500 ft. From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds and considerable powder there is extreme drifting. Thank you so much for your support. As mentioned above, the focus is on heavy snowfall expected over the next 5-6 days (and potentially again on 28th February-1st March). I switched to crampons and then finished breaking the Peak Trail through to near Miller Peak (photo below). PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 1-2 inches (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 1-3 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 1-2 inches [measured 19th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 0-1 inch [measured 19th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): 0-1 inch (was 2-3 inches on 9th), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0-1 inch (was approx. 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. 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. Devils Slide Trail has a moderately traveled track to Saddle Junction. Very cautious navigation is advised throughout the area. Early on cold mornings, the icy snow is grippy, and I did not find spikes necessary on 5th. However subsequent light snow on Sunday 1st improved the depths by another couple of inches. Fresh snowfall, melting, and freeze/thaw cycles will all combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain over the next week or two. Although my original track accurately followed the trail above Little Round Valley, there are now a fair number of alternate shortcut tracks across this slope, so cautious navigation is advised. 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). South Ridge Trail (surveyed 19th November) is largely clear of snow from the top of South Ridge Road to Old Lookout Flat at about 7600 ft, with just 5% cover of icy snow. UPDATE Sunday 1st January 2023: A moderate overnight storm produced 1.53 inches of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550ft). Temperatures will be below seasonal for December for at least the next week, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy. MT. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 0-1 inch (was 3 inches on 9th). 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). Overall, melting is proceeding faster than expected, especially with warmer than forecast temperatures, but this weekend trails will be very icy. NA. Storm total at San Jacinto Peak is about 14 inches for a current total depth of 36+ inches (but very heavily drifted). Snow is virtually continuous from there to San Jacinto Peak, with an excellent track to follow. As of the afternoon of Sunday 1st, the only tracks that I saw and that are known to be in place are my snowshoe track between Humber Park and San Jacinto Peak (using Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails). Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 7000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. 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. 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. Rain had started overnight in Idyllwild, ending in late afternoon at a total of 1.26 inches. 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. This is the flattest portion of the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains, and snow depth currently averages about 13 inches. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Snow levels could reach as low as 1,500 feet Wednesday morning and areas in the San Bernardino Mountains were projected to receive one to two feet. With the light dusting of fresh powder overnight, accompanied by strong winds causing extensive drifting, prior tracks had been partially obscured everywhere and almost completely erased above 8900 ft so I was again breaking trail in the high country. Additional moderate snowfall is tentatively forecast for 28th February-1st March. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. Forecasts for snowfall have varied greatly in both timing and volume, the latter ranging from inches to feet. Thank you so much for your support. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. Spikes are expected to remain extremely useful over the next few weeks given the unpredictable weather. Note that near its junction with Deer Springs Trail, the route was not close to the established trail, so cautious navigation may be needed. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. 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. It finally stopped snowing at about 0700, and some blue sky has resulted in spectacular vistas. On the afternoon of 18th I saw posthole tracks that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Spikes are not essential but will be useful for most hikers, especially for descending. Snowshoes are very strongly recommended for any trails in, or leading to, the high country. The average snow depth in this area is only about five inches, but on this slope it is heavily drifted in places at 10-12 inches. All have been reported to US Forest Service. At the Peak on Friday 2nd December 2022 at 1620 the air temperature was 26.2F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 11.8F (-11C), 55% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 15.4 mph. Consequently I put on crampons at Wellmans Cienega, keeping them on all day until low down on Deer Springs Trail. From there the Peak Trail was easy going, having been well-traveled by hikers coming up the Tram. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. They tend to be especially useful for descending trails. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. Immediately north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is starting to become somewhat patchy on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) but icy snow cover is continuous through the Wellman and Peak trails to San Jacinto Peak. There was a further 0.5 inch dusting of snow above 8000 ft on Thursday 29th (as I describe in this video). Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing above about 7000 ft, where trails havent been too heavily traveled and compacted. The Weather section below is updated. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. To see more years, view this page on a wider screen. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures well 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). I measured an average of about four inches of snow at Old Lookout Flat, although with some deeper drifts in the trail. Areas here at 6500-7000 ft had had much less snow than a few miles further north, only 0.5-1.0 inch depth. Altitudes are approximate. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park remains open and the parking area has been largely plowed. Monday 5th was the first day since the snow storm in early November that I did not use spikes for descending, as the icy snow in the high country was crisp and grippy in cold, cloudy conditions. 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