san gorgonio trail conditions san gorgonio trail conditions

In the meantime, a lengthy video discussion of the current situation recorded at the Peak is available here, and a brief panorama video from the Peak proper is available here. . A major change to the weather might occur next week (see Weather section below) with forecasts suggesting a possible double storm system impacting the San Jacinto mountains, and cold temperatures at all mountain elevations for a week at least. Current Trail Conditions. MLS# EV23025164. The finally push to the summit from Sky High trail was relatively easy. I've climbed it many times during winter and have found myself to be the only soul on the mountain. About 46 inches have fallen in the past eight days. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing above about 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Between November 2021 and May 2022, 61 downed trees were removed and almost the entire trail thoroughly trimmed and cleared. Leave your itinerary Make sure you tell someone where you are planning to go and when youll be back. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 9-10 inches (total 11-12 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (8-9 inches), Saddle Junction/approx. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway/Long Valley remain open. "If he's not hurt, he's on the move somewhere. Sky High Trail (5km) Raywood Flat Trail (5.1km) North Fork Meadows Trail (5.4km) All trails above about 4500 ft are snow-covered. Combined with a weak sun at this time of year, snow melt will generally be very slow at upper elevations, and conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails. The upper end of this trail offers outstanding views of Yucaipa Ridge and Galena Peak, as well as sweeping . The Ernie Maxwell Trail is functionally clear of icy snow, although a few minor patches remain, especially close to Humber Park. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 40% icy snow cover. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds and considerable powder there is extreme drifting. Spikes will likely become increasingly useful over the next few days and weeks as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. Although that day was not as cold and windy as 15th, I ascended in heavy cloud conditions with steady snowfall for the first three hours. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying shallow powder. San Bernardino Trail and Forsee Creek trails, along with the campsites near those trails, are still closed. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location followed in parentheses by the maximum depth where known so far this winter, generally immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. Again the freeze levels may be relatively high, with little more than an inch or two of snow likely below 6000 ft, a forecast 2-6 inches of fresh snowfall in the high country scattered across two or more days, and roughly 0.5-1.0 inch of rain (perhaps mainly freezing rain) throughout the mid elevations. "I'm assuming, with all the snow, he just got turned around," Henley said. Icy snow cover is 80% overall, becoming increasingly patchy below about 7000 ft, and again in the sun-exposed areas above 8000 ft. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. Minor storm overnight on 27th-28th December. The total snow accumulation was ultimately very close to that forecast in the days immediately prior to the storm. The Vivian Creek Trail is the shortest and the steepest route to the summit of Mt. The traverse from Old Lookout Flat to the bottom of the switchbacks has about 40% icy snow cover. Ironically the closure is due to unprecedented snow fall, although such snow fall was average prior to this century, and would have even been below average in the 1970s. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is largely clear of icy snow, with a few patches remaining, mostly close to Humber Park. My pre-dawn hike up Devils Slide Trail on 11th January was delightful, primarily because there was the noise of running water almost everywhere. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. In the high country temperatures will be 10-20F above seasonal and, more significantly regarding snow/ice conditions, well above freezing for at least a week. The next comprehensive Report update is not expected before Wednesday 18th January. 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. Weather conditions for different elevations in the San Gorgonio Wilderness are at: www.mountain-forecast.com/peaks/San-Gorgonio/forecasts/3505. Two moderate snow storms in the next ten days or so are expected to have a major combined impact on the San Jacinto mountains. I hope to provide more information on the high country situation on Sunday 26th, depending on conditions/weather. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. LockA locked padlock Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for hiking. Hikers going above the snow line should carry ice axes and boot spikes and know how to use them. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations starting in a few days time. 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. 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. My route down to Little Round Valley will not be especially helpful to ascending hikers, as I made the most of conditions to take a direct glissading route. However it is thinning rapidly everywhere, and will look radically different in a week or so. South Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gain Time of day, temperature, and sun exposure all have significant impacts on the nature of the snow, in turn changing the conditions underfoot, and hence both the hiking difficulty and the preferred traction device (if any). 2020 San Gorgonio: Type of Hike: Overnight: Trailhead: South Fork: Hiking Companions: Hiked with a group: Road Conditions: Road suitable for all vehicles: Bug Status: No bugs: Snow Conditions: Trail snow-covered at times - Gear and expertise recommended: Trail Conditions: Obstacles on trail: Hiked up to Dry Lake and set up camp for an early . Temperatures may be mild enough to produce rain at mid elevations, for example totaling less than 0.25 inch in Idyllwild, while snow accumulation above 10,000 ft elevation is currently forecast to be a dusting, perhaps few inches at most. There are several campgrounds in and around the area and at several of the trailheads. Trails down to 4000 ft elevation currently have shallow snow cover. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. This morning Anabel and I broke trail up Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction. Many thanks to Kyle Eubanks who I chatted with at the Peak this afternoon. All have been reported to US Forest Service. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 39-44 inches (new snow 8 inches), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 44-48 inches, heavily drifted, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 42 inches (6 inches), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 35 inches (6 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 46 inches (5 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 22 inches (4 inches), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 16 inches (5 inches), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 22 inches (6 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3-6 inches (6 inches, partly melted by afternoon of 15th), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 2 inches (5 inches, largely melted by afternoon of 15th). Summer months are the most popular for hikers. Kenneth Smith, 66, of Yucaipa died Jan. 5 while ice climbing in the Forest Falls area, not far from where Barbour is missing now. Altitudes are approximate. There is a compacted, well-traveled track on continuous light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. The upper end of this trail offers outstanding views of Yucaipa Ridge and Galena Peak, as well as sweeping panoramic views from the top of Mt. At the Peak 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. Two ascents of San Jacinto Peak in three days had challenging snow and weather, but both were hugely enjoyable. Explore this 19.0-mile out-and-back trail near Forest Falls, California. Report An Accident; Traffic Cameras >> Interstate 10 >> California >> North Palm Springs >> News Reports. Long Valley added about 4-6 inches of snow overnight, and a little less than that during the day today. I descended via Deer Springs Trail, breaking trail snowshoeing through virgin powder all the way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction. I'm guessing an additional few hundred feet at least. View details, map and photos of this single family property with 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths. 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 route is blessed with views first of Fish Creek Meadows, then the Ten Thousand Foot Ridge and Grinnell Mountain, and then Dry Lake while traversing Lake Peak. Roads 1n02 / 1n05 that go into Aspen Grove and Fish Creek are closed for the winter. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Spikes are useful but not strictly required for ascending, but most hikers will continue to find them very useful for descending. Tracks are in place around Skunk Cabbage Meadow, and south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. Please report trail conditions. There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). Spikes are recommended at least for descending, and will become increasingly important with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. Snowshoes will remain valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000 ft for the foreseeable future. However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. The South Fork Trail is over 10 miles one-way. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th January 2023 are as follows. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Altitudes are approximate. The Vivian Creek trail is an artery used by hikers to reach the peak. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Melting on sun-exposed slopes is already well underway, e.g., on lower Devils Slide Trail, South Ridge and Deer Springs trails. 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). Temperatures will be below seasonal for December for at least the next week, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy. Nevertheless, snowshoes will be valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000ft for the foreseeable future, and on trail where tracks have not yet been broken. Conditions immediately following last weeks snow storm, the second significant Pacific system of winter 2022/23, that impacted the San Jacinto mountains on 11th-12th December were summarized in the previous Report (available here). SNOW DEPTHS measured (largely) on 21st November 2022 are as follows, with depths from 9th November 2022 in parentheses where known. Given the importance of this trail for the safety of northbound PCT hikers in particular, it is one of several trails adopted by the Trail Report. The State Park wilderness was also closed a couple of days ago (see earlier Trail Report or State Park website). 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. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail has a well-traveled track to follow throughout its length, snow cover is about 80%. A few cleared patches are developing below 7000 ft. 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). There was thin patchy snow at the trailhead (4900 ft) and then it was largely continuous above 5800 ft.