san gorgonio trail conditions san gorgonio trail conditions

Compacted trails such as Devils Slide, Deer Springs, Marion Mountain, South Ridge are extremely icy between 7400-8900 ft due to the rain yesterday which has now frozen. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. These can be obtained from any of the ranger stations or from many of the local merchants. For driving directions, the trailhead address is: Vivian Creek Trailhead. 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. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. 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. Final precipitation numbers for Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft elevation) across the three days were 5.06 inches of rain and 6.5 inches of snow, although only about half of the latter remained on the ground as a few inches were removed by (relatively) warm rain between snow storms. Note that tracks are being obscured very quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in hours or even minutes (see photo below). We talk about his top SoCal mountains, tips & advice for long day hikes and newbie hikers, salsa dancing up Half Dome, redemption on San Gorgonio, disappearing on Ontario Peak, completing the Six Pack of Peaks challenge in one month, Cactus to Clouds vs Iron Mountain, summit cypher, dance origins, and the one hike he would re-live all over again. In Idyllwild (data from 5550 ft) there was 1.14 inches of rain on Sunday 11th which turned to snow that afternoon, settling to 0.5 inch. Above Little Round Valley there are at least half-a-dozen tracks ascending toward San Jacinto Peak, none of which entirely accurately follow the established trail route. Crampons are recommended for the traversing slopes. Altitudes are approximate. Roads 1n02 / 1n05 that go into Aspen Grove and Fish Creek are closed for the winter. "Sunshine lulls people into a false sense of security. Snowfall in the high country has been somewhat below expectations, with nine inches at San Jacinto Peak (for a current total depth of about 16-18 inches), and 5-6 inches in Long Valley (8600ft, total c.6 inches). That fair weather in the valleys has fooled too many hikers, Weston said. Caming is allowed. This will continue to be the case for at least a week, given fresh snowfall expected. 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. I was surprised to find that no one had made it through on the Wellman Trail over the weekend, so I postholed somewhat over my snowshoe tracks from 15th until Wellman Divide. Because of the 18K+ acre Lake Fire (which is still burning as of 6/24/15), a large section of the San Gorgonio Wilderness including all trails to the summit of San Gorgonio Mountain will be CLOSED until October 1, 2015 Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 7500 ft moderately, snow-covered. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. On Monday 13th I also postholed the entire hike, as I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. "It occurred to me that anyway one more Sunday was over, that Maman was buried now, that I was going back to work, and that, really, nothing had changed." This is the flattest portion of the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains, and snow depth currently averages about 13 inches. Aminian's body was found Jan. 14. Since then Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow on Friday 20th, but the high country was above the cloud and unaffected. 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. Please take the time after your hike to fill out the form your feedback will help local managers improve services and provide valuable trip planning information for other visitors. Snowfall in Long Valley (8600 ft) has been steady until largely stopping by 1600, with close to 10 inches added since yesterday for a total accumulation there of nearly three feet. As I snowshoed down past 9000 ft elevation it was clear from a layer of ice underfoot that after a light snowfall, there had been rain on top of snow, before it started snowing again on top of that Sunday morning. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th December (east side) or 15th December (west side) 2022 are as follows. Comments Off on Updated El Dorado closure area. The Weather section below is updated. United States. Please check this page for periodic updates the most recent is at the top throughout the multiple day storm sequence. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Thursday 24th November 2022 at 0810 the air temperature was 29.0F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 5.7F (-15C), 16% relative humidity, and a severe NNW wind sustained at 25 mph gusting to 35.1 mph. Please check this page for periodic updates (the most recent is at the top). Tracks are in place around Skunk Cabbage Meadow, and south from Saddle Junction toward Chinquapin Flat. South Fork camps such as Dry and Dollar Lakes are also filling several weeks in advance. PCTA is aware of the situation, and is hoping to start addressing it soon (weather permitting). SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th January 2023 are as follows. However, relatively well-traveled tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below). Since the depths given in the previous Report, there had been very minor storms on 28th and 29th December, which added a couple of inches at the highest elevations, down to 0.5 inch at 8000 ft. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, plus an ice axe (and thorough knowledge of how to use it) are currently required for traversing these slopes. The Vivian Creek route is the most popular, South Fork is #2 Rain had started overnight in Idyllwild, ending in late afternoon at a total of 1.26 inches. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is clear of snow. RESCUES IN THE WILDERNESS CAN BE AVOIDED. On Thursday 15th I ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) and descended the west side via Deer Springs Trail, while on Monday 19th we hiked to the Peak up and down the east side trails. South Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gain Authorities urged all hikers to travel with a companion, tell a friend or family member of their exact hiking path, stick to it if at all possible, know the weather forecast, dress warmly and understand that there are many mountainous pockets where cellphones don't work. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail) and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. Light or moderate rain is currently forecast daily at mid elevations (possibly totaling one inch in Idyllwild), with an uncertain possibility of light snow in the high country (<3 inches above 10,000 ft elevation). He had taken ice climbing equipment he'd been given for Christmas, but had never used it before, authorities said. Just wanted to note your elevation source for 11,490' lists the elevation @ 11,499'. Winter conditions exist in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. 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. 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. 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). For water information, please visit the PCT Water Report. About 6-10 inches of snow are forecast for the high country on Saturday 14th, with 1-2 inches possible at the elevation of Idyllwild (preceded by 1-2 inches of rain). As mentioned last week, current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness typical of April rather than December. Started by: MikeH. South Ridge Trail has been broken from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak with a simple posthole track. Thank you for taking the time to read this. While searchers said three of the men who died were experienced hikers, Kumm is better described as an outdoors enthusiast, said Cpl. By late afternoon, with the sun sinking, the search was suspended for another long, cold night. Reserve and check availability on the San Gorgonio Wilderness Association website: Group size limited to 12 people and 8 pack/riding animals per group. This will make trail conditions more complicated, and if in any doubt whatsoever carry and use traction devices accordingly (see discussion in introduction above). 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. Both of these storms are expected to be relatively mild at first with rain a possibility up to 9000 ft before freeze levels drop down to 6000 ft. As forecast, the storm came in two main waves, with the bulk of the precipitation falling for most of the daylight hours of Sunday 11th, followed by a remarkably calm and clear night, and then a much less intense period of snowfall between about 0800-1300 on Monday 12th. Spikes could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds there has been drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. 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). 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. A few cleared patches are developing below 7000 ft. He said Kumm had hiked to 6,500 feet a week earlier with his girlfriend. Hikers should anticipate new treefall hazards in trails we have already found one major new one on the Ernie Maxwell Trail and also that tracks in snow may have been obscured by windblown drifting powder. Mu Zhi Mountain. No campfires allowed. With compaction of the trails over the next few days, snowshoes will become less useful on-trail, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel at the highest elevations for the foreseeable future. Altitudes are approximate. Estimated Time: 9-12 hours. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Three numbers are given: the first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in brackets by the new snow accumulation from the storm on 29th-30th January, and finally in parentheses by the maximum depth where known so far this winter, generally on 18th January following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. Following an unusually warm weekend, multiple atmospheric river storms will bring cold, cloudy weather with variable precipitation from Tuesday 27th December well into the first week of January. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location followed in parentheses where known by the combined fresh snowfall from the two minor storms on 13th-14th February. The Fish Creek Trail is a great route. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 5-6 inches (was approx. 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. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. In general most hikers will likely prefer to use spikes at least for descending down to about 10,000 ft (or lower). Although I carried snowshoes it would have been risky to try to use them on the icy traverses. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). 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. This is the third time this century that Idyllwild has surpassed 60 inches of snow in a winter (62.8 inches in 2000/01, and 62.4 inches in 2010/11), so 60+ inch winters might be considered to occur roughly once every decade. It's remote trailhead is probibly the only reason it's not as popular as the other routes. While the shallow icy snow should melt steadily over the next few days, 4WD/AWD vehicles are recommended. Forest, San Gorgonio Wilderness, San Jacinto Wilderness and State Park. Marion Mountain Trail has a well-traveled snowshoe track to follow along its entire length. The San Bernardino Mountains are unique in that they have an eastwest orientation, making them transverse to the general northsouth orientation of most of California's coastal mountains. 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 best times to visit this trail are May through November. For example, the This is followed by steady moderate to heavy snowfall starting in the afternoon of Wednesday 22nd and continuing into the early hours of Sunday 26th February. Trailhead directions: The trailhead is located on Jenks Lake Road, 2.5 miles from Highway 38. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (no snow, 1.26 inches rain on 10th). single family is a 3 bed, 2.0 bath unit. but her friend Joyce Schwartz took some short videos from which this still image is taken. (800) 735-2922 (TDD/TTY), Offices may be closed on select federal holidays, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=26575&actid=50. The traversing slopes above Wellmans Divide were very firm and relatively tricky in snowshoes, and some hikers may prefer to use spikes (or probably crampons) plus an ice axe above about 9800 ft. As I descended past Saddle Junction I was surprised not to see any other tracks as of early afternoon on Friday 6th, which I mention only because of the lack of broken trails this indicates. Park here above the picnic area where there are a handful of parking spots. Section E. Hwy-14/Agua Dulce to Hwy-58/Mojave-Tehachapi . Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. 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. In recent days we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. They may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. 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. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. UPDATE Tuesday 13th December 2022: This morning Anabel and I broke trail up South Ridge Road and South Ridge Trail to Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). With significant further snowfalls expected in the next week (at least), and moderate to strong winds in the high country expected for many of those days causing some daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system may remain completely or somewhat obscured by snow throughout most or all of January. Spitler Peak Trail (last surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. (130) Good Coverage. 2-3 inches on 9th), Saddle Junction/approx. My tracks from Wednesday were still largely visible and helped a little with traction. Further strong winds and blowing powder had eliminated much of these tracks again by Wednesday, and I again largely re-broke trail that day too. Heavy cloud cover at higher elevations meant helicopters had to transport rescuers to narrow ravines. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to about 7700 ft (about 1.7 miles up) although some dirty icy patches remain below that. 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). 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. February 2011 recorded 45.5 inches, and there were 45.5 inches in March 2006. Every year seems to have unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. I descended via Deer Springs Trail, breaking trail snowshoeing through virgin powder all the way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction. South Fork camps such as Dry and Dollar Lakes are also filling several weeks in advance.If you want to hike during the week, you have a better chance of getting a permit.Self-issue permits aren't always available - they oftentimes run out, or get stolen. 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). I just moved to southern california and want to be back out doing what I love. Often spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. This western side of the mountain was better protected from winds and drifting snow, and this track should largely survive until the weekend. UPDATE Thursday 5th January 2023: We are just catching the southern edge of the highly-publicized storm currently passing through central California. This was a very mild system, producing rain to 9000 ft elevation (and consequently very icy conditions), and one inch of fresh snow above about 9000 ft elevation (increasing to 1.5 inch >10,000 ft). Conditions prior to this storm had been unsettled for several days, with a minor storm overnight on 27th-28th December. The Wellman Trail from Annies Junction to Wellman Divide has about 20% icy snow cover. While my snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, this may rapidly become obscured by additional light snowfall and/or drifting snow from strong winds. Baldy and Mt. On 21st I again barebooted (i.e. Map Information. There is a relatively well-traveled track on the Round Valley Trail from Long Valley through to Wellman Divide. Although I made a concerted effort to put in a track as faithful to the trail routes as conditions permitted, further strong winds and blowing powder in the high country were erasing tracks within hours or even minutes. Fresh snowfall in Long Valley is now at about four inches. 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. On the morning of Monday 12th a further 2.5 inches of snow settled in Idyllwild. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 2nd-5th December 2022 are as follows, with depths after the only significant storm of this winter to date (on 9th November) for comparison in parentheses where known. If this lower lot is full or you do not have your Forest Adventure Pass with you, park in the smaller gravel lot to the left. Multiple mild storm systems are forecast to bring extremely unsettled weather to the San Jacinto mountains starting Tuesday 27th December, lasting well into the first week of January. The summit of San Gorgonio (11,499') is 3 miles beyond High Creek. Most major trails now have a track through the snow to follow, details have been updated below. San Gorgonio Peak via Vivian Creek Trail Quick Facts: Elevation: 11,503 feet. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds and considerable powder there is extreme drifting. This is a popular trail for backpacking, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Check out this 25.0-mile point-to-point trail near Forest Falls, California. "Especially on the north-facing slopes, it has remained extremely cold up there," he said. If you want a permit for Vivian for a dayhike on the weekend in the summertime, you must get it 3-4 weeks in advance. 0:04. San Gorgonio Mountain (5.8km) Lake Peak (6.7km) Jepson Peak (7.3km) Charlton Peak (7.3km) . There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. In the week since the last storm we have surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak twice, plus South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Marion Mountain trails, among others. Instead they end up miles from where they should be. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.5 inches (total 3.5 inch). Only saw one person all day on the way down (started at 5:30 am). I recorded a short(ish) video report from San Jacinto Peak late morning on Monday 30th (available here on YouTube) that gives a feel for the conditions in the high country at that time. The Peak Trail has about 80% cover of icy snow, largely continuous above 9900 ft. Spikes are recommended. 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). momyer-open-map. Skyline Trail closed on 26th January due to dangerous weather conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). San Bernardino Trail and Forsee Creek trails, along with the campsites near those trails, are still closed. A weather system, possibly in two waves across a broad time window between 2nd and 5th December, is currently forecast to produce light precipitation at all elevations, including a possible dusting of snow in the high country [update 1st December: no precipitation is now expected from these storms passing to the north of us]. This trail will become significantly more treacherous as it is expected to add freezing rain and/or layers of snow and ice over the next ten days. At the Peak on Thursday 8th December 2022 at 0900 the air temperature was 28.4F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 12.7F (-11C), 11% relative humidity, and a fresh SW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 9.3 mph. but ideal for snowshoes, which I used from Saddle to San Jacinto Peak and back. Willow Creek Trail remains a relatively slow, messy hike for a couple of miles. I had the pleasure of hiking the Fish Creek Trail on June 22nd. There was thin patchy snow at the trailhead (4900 ft) and then it was largely continuous above 5800 ft. 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). 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. per winter back then. Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. The initial freeze level was at about 9000 ft but has already dropped. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. 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). A rapidly warming montane climate, with changes especially striking at high elevation, is exacerbating all of these issues. Marion Mountain Trail has a lightly-traveled posthole track to follow, that does not follow the trail route in places. Favorite hiking regions include the San Gorgonio Wilderness, Eastern Sierras, Channel Islands and San Gabriel Mountains . Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. From there I used snowshoes to ascend via Annies Junction and Wellman Divide. The northerly wind was bitter at the Peak and got stronger throughout the morning as we descended. The State Park campground at Stone Creek is also closed. Devils Slide Trail has a very lightly traveled track to Saddle Junction in place. The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. 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).