Hard 4.7 (4326) San Gorgonio Wilderness. Two more significant atmospheric river storm systems are forecast on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th, and on 16th-18th. Reservation Rules. Steady heavy snow started in Idyllwild at about 0830 but stopped at about 1400. I hope to provide more information on the high country situation on Sunday 26th, depending on conditions/weather. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 7000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) additional light rain this morning has added up to 0.1 inch. Once we reached the point where the Mineshaft trail beings it's long series of switchbacks (around 10,500' ) the trail was completely covered, forcing us to go direct - straight up the snow + a bit of rock scrambling up a large scree rock slid.. Average snow depth around the peak was 24-25 inches, but heavily drifted. Days change quickly from pleasant to snow and ice. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Some hikers will find spikes are useful at least for descending. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains 3-8 inches deep in places. In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) it started raining at 1100, where it has been relatively slow to accumulate so far, with 0.4 inch by 1500. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Phone is 909-382-2882 or you can request a permit via fax at (909) 794-1125. contact San Bernardino National Forest, San Gorgonio Ranger District, 34701 Mill Creek Rd., Mentone, CA 92359 909-382-2882 or fax (909) 794-1125.Current Trail Conditions. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. The latest Trail Report (linked here) mentions the increasing avalanche risk with recent heavy wind-loaded snowfall on top of the icy pre-existing snow, and how avalanches occur every winter on the north face (contrary to erroneous information in recent local media stories). They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches, and on the quality of your footwear (tread grip, in particular). That said, a moderate snow storm is forecast for Sunday 29th to Monday 30th January, with up to six inches of snow forecast above about 5000 ft, possibly up to 12 inches above 10,000 ft, and a freeze level down to 4000 ft. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 23rd January 2023 at 1010 the air temperature was 11.1F (-11C), with a windchill temperature of -16.2F (-26C), 47% relative humidity, and a bitter NNE wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. For day use a permit is required on any of the trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. While snowfall accompanying the first of those storms may be light, perhaps 2-4 inches in Idyllwild and 4-6 inches in the high country, strong winds at the highest peaks are tentatively forecast to produce extremely cold windchill conditions, similar to 15th February (see below). While fresh snow may be optimum for snowshoeing for the next couple of weeks, snow at all elevations will become increasingly firm and icy following multiple freeze-thaw cycles, and compaction by increasing hiker traffic in places, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of having both appropriate equipment and the right skill set for the terrain. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. The forecast for the last ten days of December differs radically from what was predicted just a week ago, and a major warming trend is expected rather than another cold Pacific storm. 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. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. 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. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. Willow Creek Trail remains a relatively slow, messy hike for a couple of miles. Year round. 8. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. However they are not required, depending on your comfort level with postholing in drifted snow of moderate depth. 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. 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). Two and three-tenths miles further is High Creek Camp (water available - 9,200'). On my hike up to San Jacinto Peak it started snowing gently at 1025 in the high country. Snow depths measured at many locations on the trail system on 11th January are given at the foot of this posting. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Crampons (or perhaps spikes or snowshoes on some days) are recommended. Although the high country currently has its deepest snow accumulation in almost four years, since March 2019, this winter nevertheless remains well below the average for snowfall in the San Jacinto mountains to late January. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled and level track to follow through the slowly melting inch of patchy icy snow (photo below from 30th November). Searchers planned to be back out this morning looking for both men. The high country remained above the cloud for this one, with no fresh snowfall above about 8000 ft. The highest peaks appeared to add slightly less snow than some lower locations, probably because they were above the cloud for some of the precipitation events. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks (see photo below). Trip Report. Altitudes are approximate. 71729 San Gorgonio Road, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270 for Sale MLS# 219090979 There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. Snowshoes can be used for ascending the highest peaks, but with considerable caution. Check out pictures on SGWA member John Flippins website, High Lake Photography. Forest Headquarters These are free and self-issued. 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. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, possibly lower in places. Share sensitive information only Map Information, Forest Headquarters Although excellent tracks are now in place and clearly visible for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. single family is a 3 bed, 2.0 bath unit. Explore this 19.0-mile out-and-back trail near Forest Falls, California. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 28th November 2022 at 0855 the air temperature was 26.2F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 8.8F (-13C), 11% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 17 mph gusting to 24.6 mph. Deer Springs Trail has a broken track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak. At home at 5550 ft in Idyllwild we recorded 10.9F (-12C), the lowest temperature we have recorded there in nine winters. San Gorgonio Wilderness Hiking Guide | Outdoor SoCal A rapidly warming montane climate, with changes especially striking at high elevation, is exacerbating all of these issues. By 619jeffry. To the Vivian Creek trailhead: From interstate 10 at Redlands take Highway 38 exit (Orange Street or University Avenue) north several blocks to Hwy 38 and turn right. Go Hiking Trip Reports San Gorgonio Wilderness-California. At the Peak on Thursday 22nd December 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 39.9F (4C), with a windchill temperature of 30.4F (-1C), 13% relative humidity, and a light WNW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 13.8 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. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. Ernie Maxwell Trail has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the continuous snow cover a few inches deep. 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). From the 10 freeway (coming east or west), you'll take Highway 38 through Forest Falls to get to the trailhead. What does it mean if I have a California Campfire Permit? Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 5000 ft, potentially lower in places. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin icy snow above 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). First look at Desert X 2023: preview the Coachella Valley art Many hikers will nevertheless find spikes useful in places, especially for descending. The Weather section below is updated. Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 6500 ft. A short video giving a feel for current snow conditions at San Jacinto Peak is available here on YouTube. Fresh snowfall in Long Valley is now at about four inches. 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. Although excellent tracks are now in place for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. 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. Instructional Assistant I 3.5 hrs. - Multiple Sites and times Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Consequently the next comprehensive Report update will probably be published on Wednesday 15th February. After a relatively benign day, it started snowing gently at 1340, and has become steady with large wet flakes in the past hour or so. 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). Add : Sale Price: $8.88 . These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. Altitudes are approximate. Go right and continue for 4.5 miles to the Falls Recreation Area, past the town of Forest Falls. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th). PM me if you are interested. We have had an excellent start to 2023 regarding the water and snow situations in the San Jacinto mountains. Hikers who have an ice axe (and know how to use it) may find it useful in places on this short section of trail. Included in the re-opening were hiking trails outside of the burned area. Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak were closed for the season ahead of schedule in anticipation of the snow storm in early November. Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has at least one ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by any additional light snowfall and/or especially by drifting snow from strong winds. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. The areas Im reporting are within a mile or so of the McDonalds. The Crampons are recommended for the traversing slopes. 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. My Alpine start meant that all layers remained firm throughout the ascent. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. We removed nine treefall hazards on 18th November and the trail is now completely clear again, bringing to 56 the number of trees we have removed from this trail since mid 2021. San Jacinto Trail Report - Snow, weather, and trail conditions for the Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio Peak. 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. 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. Every year seems to have its challenges and 2022 has been no exception. While expected to be relatively mild at first with rain above 9000 ft, overall this next sequence of storms may prove to be colder than most of the recent systems. There is already a moderately traveled posthole track on Devils Slide Trail, and I was surprised to find that below 7000 ft some of the trail was already slushy simply due to relatively warm air temperatures as there was no direct sun. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. Unusually for me, I followed the entire route of the established trail down to Little Round Valley. Elevation Gain: 5,449 feet. San Gorgonio Peak Hiking Trail Guide - The Simple Hiker In general temperatures are expected to warm to above average into next month at all elevations, especially at the highest elevations in the first week of February. 2023 GSSGC Summer Camp--General Application They are now invaluable on heavily traveled, compacted, icy tracks (before they clear of snow in the coming weeks) such as Devils Slide, Ernie Maxwell, and Deer Springs trails, at least, especially mornings when conditions tend to be most icy, and for descending. * -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Times staff writer Dave McKibben contributed to this report. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including chunks I have estimated as weighing 40-100 lb this winter, which can dislodge dramatically once direct sunlight warms the trees. The State Park boundary is not marked but is near the site of the old Florians Cache, below Flat Rock. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin and patchy icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). February has been more settled than the very eventful January, but temperatures remain on something of a rollercoaster ride. At the Peak on Thursday 29th December 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 25.8F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 7.2F (-14C), 81% relative humidity, and a harsh WNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 25.4 mph. Snow accumulation was initially slow but has been an inch per hour recently, with 2.5 inch added at San Jacinto Peak since late this morning (on top of about 24 inches remaining from prior storms). The freeze level is currently at about 7500 ft and it has been periodically snowing gently above that elevation, with Long Valley (8600 ft) having added a few inches overnight, for a current total depth of about 24 inches. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. As of the afternoon of Monday 12th, 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), and the track of Kyle Eubanks from the previous evening between Long Valley and the Peak via Wellman Divide (which remained surprisingly visible in places about 15-20 hours later, showing how calm the winds were overnight). The number given is the current average total snow depth.