potentially dangerous) windchill temperatures. The South Fork Trailhead (officially known as South Fork Trail 1E04) lies about 2.5 miles off of Rt 38, close to the town of Angelus Oaks. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the ease (or otherwise) of hiking a given trail. This can't be correct. There's a clear message being sent to those who go into the burn areas to be aware of your footing," said Ruth Wenstrom, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman. These storms are each expected to produce a further 4-6 inches of snow. 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. I put in a posthole track the entire way up, but crampons (with an ice axe) were essential at that time on the upper switchbacks above about 8300 ft due to the typical steeply angled ice obscured underneath 6-12 inches of powder (photos below). Currently there is less than three feet of snow at San Jacinto Peak; I suspect it would be 5-8 feet had we had fractionally cooler conditions in the past month. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. Section C/D: He's a pretty strong-willed guy." Comments Off on Updated El Dorado closure area. Although the snow is not particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and steeply angled, and has at least one ice layer underneath the fresh powder. As mentioned above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. Consequently cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. The State Park has closed the wilderness due to the weather conditions, as described on their website here. "I'm assuming, with all the snow, he just got turned around," Henley said. Snow started in Idyllwild at about 1015 on Sunday 29th, ultimately accumulating about 3.5 inches (at 5550 ft) by the afternoon of 30th, while San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft) added only two inches of powder. Turn right onto San Bernardino Peak Trail and finally gain the San Gorgonio summit. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 1st February 2023 at 0935 the air temperature was 16.6F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -8.0F (-22C), 13% relative humidity, and a wild NNE wind sustained at 21 mph gusting to 35.2 mph. Only saw one person all day on the way down (started at 5:30 am). Currently only one major trail route has been traveled and even that is partially obscured by icefall, melting and drifted snow. 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. 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 unavailable for legal parking. They tend to be especially useful for descending. Chung Hun "Charles" Koh, 53, of Buena Park left home New Year's Day to hike on Mt. In recent days we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. Finally, though not as well endowed as the Vivian Creek route, there is water avialable at a few locations. For the foreseeable future hikers should be prepared for temperatures 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). We have surveyed the high country almost daily, with hikes taking in San Jacinto Peak at least twice per week, Tahquitz Peak area once per week, and a variety of other trails on other days (World Cup viewing permitting of course). Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Since the depths given in the previous Report, there has been some melting at higher elevations on sunny days and below 9000 ft caused by the heavy rainfall. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 12-14 inches (storm total 10 inches), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 10-12 inches (storm total 7 inches), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 7 inches (storm total 6 inches), Round Valley (9100 ft): 6 inches (storm total 5 inches) [thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Annies Junction/approx. At the Peak on Monday 21st November 2022 at 1610 the air temperature was 36.5F (3C), with a windchill temperature of 28.0F (-2C), 9% relative humidity, and a steady WSW breeze sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.2 mph. The next comprehensive update of the Report will likely be in the evening of Wednesday 11th. San Bernardino Trail and Forsee Creek trails, along with the campsites near those trails, are still closed. 1629 Sams Cyn , Beaumont, CA 92223-7572 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $699,900. All trails above about 4500 ft are snow-covered. 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. Snowshoes are not required anywhere, as recent experience has shown that off-trail snow is now too shallow and/or patchy for snowshoes. Another 10+ inches are forecast overnight, which is very possible given current conditions. May 20th is the Erie Zoo Earth Day Celebration and they've invited the Girl Scouts to the party. The atmospheric river of moisture from lower latitudes was weaker than the storm in early November, although snowfall was ultimately slightly greater in this storm than in November, perhaps in part due to the colder temperatures. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. 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. I barebooted to Saddle, and then snowshoed back down to help consolidate the track. I recorded a short video at the Peak late morning on the 13th, available here on YouTube. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 2-3 inches (5.5 inches on 12th December), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 3-4 inches (6 inches on 12th December), Long Valley (8600 ft): 1-2 inches (5-6 inches on 12th December), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0-1 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Saddle Junction/approx. The avalanche was an unusual occurrence on Mount San Jacinto, RMRU President Eric Holden said. Section B. Warner Springs to I-10/San Gorgonio Pass. Most of the upper half of the trail had 3-4 inches of lovely fluffy powder. A storm currently predicted for Wednesday 22nd February is tentatively forecast to have near record low (i.e. I recorded a brief video at San Jacinto Peak at about 0930 on Friday 6th (available here on YouTube) which discusses conditions at that time. Complete list of supporters, I-10/San Gorgonio Pass to I-15/Cajon Pass, Hwy-14/Agua Dulce to Hwy-58/Mojave-Tehachapi, Hwy-58/Mojave-Tehachapi to Hwy-178/Walker Pass, Hwy-138/Mt. San Gorgonio, located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Spikes are strongly recommended. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds there has been extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. "He was alone and had no map. The Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 10th January] has minor patches of snow along its entire length, however it is largely clear for long sections, and the remaining snow is rarely icy. By comparison, approximately 42 inches were recorded in February 2023 (provisional data). Strong winds expected on 11th-12th, and again on 14th, will likely obscure many tracks. This is crowdsourced and depends on your contributions. If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter at weekends and holidays then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 7000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. At Day Camp, girls sing songs, try their hand at science experiments, learn knot-tying skills, make arts and crafts and enjoy water activities during these fun themed weeks. I was very happy to find no new treefall hazards down on Spitler Peak Trail. The Thursday system will be significantly warmer, with a freeze level not dropping below about 7000 ft. Precipitation at the elevation of Idyllwild should therefore be rain (0.5-0.7 inch currently forecast), which may therefore largely melt and remove the snow that had fallen earlier in the week at that elevation. 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. PCTA is aware of the situation, and is hoping to start addressing it soon (weather permitting). Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway/Long Valley remain open. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail has a well-traveled track to follow throughout, snow cover is 90%. Conditions are currently excellent for avalanches on specific terrain in the San Jacinto high country, as proven below. Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since the storm in mid December, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route. All have been reported to US Forest Service. Snow cover remains virtually continuous, but a few small patches are clearing below 7000 ft. Spikes are strongly recommended, at least for descending. Please report trail conditions. The hike back down through Dollar Saddle also had some portions of snow - most notably just before Dry Lake View and directly after Dollar Saddle. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. Does anybody have accurate GPS or other reading of the actual total elevation gain? Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Note that generally the maximum depths so far this winter were immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023 (details of those depths available here). Thank you so much for your support. There is an excellent snowshoe track to follow on the Wellman Trail and the Peak Trail up to San Jacinto Peak. Spikes are strongly recommended as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. You must be logged in to create new topics. 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. In Palm Springs, artist Lauren Bon displays The Smallest Sea with the Largest Heart. With another storm imminent tomorrow, I do not plan a thorough update until Wednesday 15th. Marion Mountain Trail has a lightly-traveled posthole track to follow, that does not follow the trail route in places. The State Park cut about a dozen trees on the section of trail under their jurisdiction in late July. FOR SALE $699900 1629 Sams Cy Beaumont, CA 92223 - MLS #EV23032625 | 2 BedsTotal 3.00 Baths! His body was found Saturday, nearly 1,000 feet below a spot where a partner thought he had fallen. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 8000 ft moderately, snow-covered. Avalanche risk is currently minimal and is rarely a factor in the San Jacinto mountains with the exception of a couple of traditional locations (notably the north face of San Jacinto Peak). Hikers should be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and generally far freezing when considering wind chill effects. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Time: ~10 hours. However the snow conditions may not be suitable for snowshoeing on certain slopes, depending on the ice conditions below the surface due to multiple freezing rain incidents this winter. That fair weather in the valleys has fooled too many hikers, Weston said. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. Please report trail conditions. Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! There is also a Little Round Valley campground which is on the . Even if there is no precipitation, there will be temperatures well below seasonal on those days. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. Early on Monday 23rd January I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) that I had broken last Wednesday 18th, and descended the west side via (more-or-less) Deer Springs Trail. 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). 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. There are several campgrounds in and around the area and at several of the trailheads. 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. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended everywhere above about 8500 ft, and 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, on both flanks but especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Long Valley (8600 ft) has received about 1.0 inch fresh snow this morning. Comments Off on Updated El Dorado closure area. South Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gain View 18632 Deer Trail Rd, Banning, CA 92220 property records for FREE including property ownership, deeds, mortgages, titles & sales history, current & historic tax assessments, legal, parcel & structure description, land use, zoning & more. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. 2 night trip SB Peak Trail to Limber Pine, Trail Fork Springs and back. Days are short and nights are very cold. Later that morning at San Jacinto Peak, I measured a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), the fourth lowest temperature I have ever recorded there. Rain started overnight in Idyllwild, and by late this afternoon (at 1550) totals 1.22 inch. The lower half of the trail should be largely clear of snow by the weekend. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. 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 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. 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. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. As encouraging as that is, it should be noted that snow accumulation at San Jacinto Peak is only at about 65% of the depth in March 2019, and this winter overall remains well below the historical average for snow in the high country, despite recent events. Current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness feeling more typical for April or May than late November. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. The East Ridge Trail from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak has multiple tracks, all of which were disappearing under fresh spindrift when I ascended that way on Monday 23rd. There is a relatively well-traveled track on the Round Valley Trail from Long Valley through to Wellman Divide. Mountain Conditions. 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 ice with overlying deep snow. I postholed barebooting to 8900 ft before putting on crampons. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. On 24th and 28th we barebooted to the Peak on well-traveled and compacted tracks through light icy snow. on official, secure websites. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. You will enter San Gorgonio Wilderness as the trail begins to gentle down. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. If camping overnite anywhere within the San Gorgonio Wilderness a permit is required. Even Devils Slide Trail was largely obscured in deep drifted powder (photo below). Most notable for our region is the remaining uncertainty within the meteorological models, which could result in us receiving half (or double!) However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as snow depths increase over the coming days; they may initially be useful as low as 4000 ft, steadily rising to 5000-6000 ft next week. This was tricky for postholing which went through the ice layer. 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.