While we have to be grateful for any precipitation received given our rapidly warming mountain climate, it was not the significant snow-producing storm that had been generally forecast in recent days. 3; 8; 3 months ago. The high winds forecast did not materialize, although gusts up to 35 mph have been enough to cause very heavy drifting. Most of this snow had melted prior to my hike to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. The forecasts are very unsettled for the next week, but significant snowfall arrives on Saturday 31st (12+ inches expected in the high country) and may continue on/off until Friday 6th January 2023, potentially totaling 2-3 feet above 10,000 ft elevation. This is frankly grossly misleading and in reality both trails no longer exist and are so completely overgrown I strongly advise hikers do not attempt to follow them. 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). While searchers said three of the men who died were experienced hikers, Kumm is better described as an outdoors enthusiast, said Cpl. A very mild system with 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 above 10,000 ft. A rapidly warming montane climate, with changes especially striking at high elevation, is exacerbating all of these issues. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Tuesday 27th December 2022 at 0850 the air temperature was 31.2F (-1C), with a windchill temperature of 15.1F (-9C), 31% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 17 mph gusting to 26.1 mph. Daisy Girl Scouts are invited to explore the 7 Ponds Nature Center on Saturday, March 18, 2023 from 10-12 PM. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. At the Peak on Saturday 31st December 2022 at 1650 the air temperature was 24.9F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 4.8F (-15C), 62% relative humidity, and a bitter WSW wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 30.1 mph. New phone # 909-382-2882If you want a permit for Vivian for a dayhike on the weekend in the summertime, you must get it 3-4 weeks in advance. Indeed a wild wind in the high country that day was erasing tracks within hours or even minutes (see photos below). The freeze level will again start very high, but is forecast to fall lower, with the possibility of a light dusting of snow down to about 5500 ft. Another inch of rain is forecast for mid elevations, but a heavier snowfall is expected in the high country, with predictions ranging from 8-20 inches above 10,000 ft. Further precipitation is tentatively forecast for 3rd-6th January, but amounts, timing, and freeze levels remain uncertain this far ahead. San Bernardino, CA 92408 They tend to be especially useful for descending. By my measurements, Idyllwild is up to 51 inches of snow to date for this winter, compared to the average for the thirty year period 1991-2020 of 31 inches. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. I recorded a short video at the Peak, available here on YouTube. All trails above about 5500 ft are largely snow-covered (wholly snow-covered above about 7000 ft). I descended Deer Springs Trail, again breaking trail the entire way, but again through light snow sitting on top of a very solid, icy snow layer. Winter conditions exist in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. Dry Lake (San Gorgonio) From The South Fork Trail Freeze levels will be well below 3000 ft at times, and for example Garner Valley (4300-4800 ft) could receive as much as 6-12 inches of snow this week. Comments Off on Updated El Dorado closure area. By 1st February there was a somewhat meandering snowshoe track from Round Valley (and presumably Long Valley) up to San Jacinto Peak, ultimately using the East Ridge route from near Miller Peak, that generally followed lower angle terrain and avoided the traversing slopes of the Peak Trail. San Gorgonio is the tallest mountain in Southern California, and a rite of passage for serious hikers in the area. However subsequent light snow on Sunday 1st improved the depths by another couple of inches. A key feature of this sequence of storms will be the relative warmth of the air masses which will lead to high freeze levels. Trails above about 8500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft on the west side, 9900 ft on the east). UPDATE Wednesday 28th December: the overnight rain storm produced 0.73 inch in Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft) while Long Valley (8600 ft) led San Jacinto mountain locations in rainfall with 1.01 inch. (909) 382-2682 (Voice) At the Peak on Sunday 15th January 2023 at 0750 the air temperature was 17.8F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -5.6F (-21C), 100% relative humidity, and a wild SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 30.2 mph. SNOW DEPTHS measured (largely) on 21st November 2022 are as follows, with depths from 9th November 2022 in parentheses where known. 2-3 inches on 9th November), Saddle Junction/approx. Alternatively snowshoes could have been used, depending on personal preference and time of day. Randonnes autour de Sand To Snow National Monument Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship. We estimate that 3407 Calle Sin Rival would rent between $7,377 / mo. He didn't know the area, and he was in ice with [boot spikes] he just got at Christmas," Goodman said. As we are limited to 6-person crews, it will be a little harder on the personnel but if you are out on the trail during the week, you might see us hard at work. Be prepared for ice and deep snow, bring crampons and /or snow shoes and above all do not hike past your limits. An additional six inches of accumulation today brings the total in Idyllwild since 21st February to 20.5 inches. Deer Springs Trail is clear from the Highway 243 trailhead to the Suicide Rock trail junction at 7000 ft, and functionally clear from there to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft), with a few icy snow patches increasing in length and frequency as you ascend. 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 are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. 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. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to Saddle Junction. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses by the approximate depth of fresh snow added by the latest storm sequence on 14th-17th January. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying the storm there is extensive drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Largely a day for digging out again, and getting prepared for the next major snowfall, due tonight. Clearly conditions are expected to continue to change over the next week or two, so this summary is intentionally brief. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): storm total 12 inches (total depth 17-20 inches), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 8 inches (total 9 inches), Annies Junction/approx. It does not accurately follow the established trail route in significant sections but is navigable. 41900 Falls Rd. There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. Accumulation so far of about 0.5 inch in Idyllwild, and one inch at Long Valley. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Above seasonal temperatures will continue until Sunday 27th November. Underlying the fresh snow is in places a thin layer of ice and/or icy snow remaining from the previous storm in early November. Every year seems to have unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Group size limited to 12 people and 8 pack/riding animals per group. 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave. 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. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. 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. This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since the Great Valentines Day flood of 2019. As discussed above, multiple additional snowfalls forecast for 14th-18th January will further complicate the trail conditions. The open section of trail below 5800 ft is clear of snow. The PCT on the south-facing slope (Angels Glide) for about 1.0 mile north of Saddle Junction is largely clear of snow (spikes not required). 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. 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. A San Bernardino County Superior Court jury has found two brothers guilty of killing a man at his 2019 wedding reception in Chino.. Joe Melgoza's widow said she wants justice for her husband's . Cold clouds in the high country produced thick rime on the trees above about 10,200 ft elevation on 1st December (photo from 2nd below) but otherwise no meaningful precipitation. It's 7.8 miles (Gary Suttle's book lists it as 8.4 miles) with almost 5,500 feet in elevation gain. 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. At the Peak on Monday 30th January 2023 at 1110 the air temperature was 15.5F (-9C), with a windchill temperature of -0.4F (-18C), 98% relative humidity, and a light SSE wind sustained at 3 mph gusting to 8.4 mph. 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. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently lightly, or above 7500 ft moderately, snow-covered. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. This western side of the mountain was better protected from winds and drifting snow, and this track should largely survive until the weekend. It was very disturbing to see. more We were heading NB from Horsethief Canyon to the Interstate 15. There was thin patchy snow at the trailhead (4900 ft) and then it was largely continuous above 5800 ft. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft, lower in places. Chung Hun "Charles" Koh, 53, of Buena Park left home New Year's Day to hike on Mt. These are free and self-issued. Snowshoes are not required anywhere on the established trail system, where snow is now too shallow, icy and compacted. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will certainly remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country well into February at least. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. San Gorgonio, San Bernardino National Forest - Recreation.gov 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). They cleared, repaired, and defined 200 yards of trail tread in various places, removed 4 trees from across the trail, rebuilt a trail tread retaining wall, and cut back 100 feet of brush growing over the trail. However I was surprised to find almost all of this had melted by the time I hiked to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. Free shipping for many products! They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and/or icy patches (depending upon time of day). On 23rd January I saw posthole tracks from Saddle Junction that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, the start of Willow Creek Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. Only five of these require cutting, and I was able to remove three by hand earlier in February. San Gorgonio Peak Running Trail, Banning, California 2; 2; 1 month, 1 week ago. Thanks. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Snowshoes are likely to become useful (even essential in early January), at least above about 9000 ft, if there is significant snowfall during the coming week or so as forecast. Girl Scout Daisies will earn the Between Earth and Sky Journey. The first storm system comes through overnight on Tuesday 27th, with precipitation continuing into the morning of Wednesday 28th. Report An Accident; Traffic Cameras >> Interstate 10 >> California >> North Palm Springs >> News Reports. When plowed Humber will remain very icy for the next few days at least. This is crowdsourced and depends on your contributions. Easily the most popular San Gorgonio hike route, the Vivian Creek Trail is an iconic adventure up to the highest point in SoCal, at 11,503 feet. A fourth and final minor system is expected on 28th February-1st March. Peru: Land of the Inca and the Amazon | Girl Scouts The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder. Conditions are currently excellent for avalanches on specific terrain in the San Jacinto high country, as proven below. Share sensitive information only Current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness feeling more typical for April or May than late November. 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. San Gorgonio Hike on the Vivian Creek Trail - HikingGuy.com Temperatures on the morning of 15th were the lowest of this winter, and among the lowest of the past decade. Pack your camera and your taste buds for this delicious adventure to see the sights and explore the food of Southern Italy! I've backcountry skied in Northern Arizona, Utah, and Southern Colorado. There are five new major treefall hazards, plus many other limbs and branches, across the trail between the Suicide Rock junction and the Marion Mountain Trail junction. In 1852, the summit of the nearby10,624 - foot San Bernardino Peak provided the initial baseline and meridian from which all land surveys for Southern California originate. If camping overnite anywhere within the San Gorgonio Wilderness a permit is required. About six inches of snow fell at San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft) decreasing to 0.5 inch in upper Fern Valley (at c.6000 ft). Discover your local Girl Scout council: about Girl Scouts, what they do, what activities are available locally, and how to contact us. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 7000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. Consequently cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. Rainfall may continue at mid elevations potentially for several consecutive days, and the relative warmth of the air masses may produce rain and/or freezing rain as high as San Jacinto Peak, challenging layers of icy or mixed snow/ice conditions at all elevations, and perhaps melting of much preexisting snow below about 8000 ft. Current forecasts for precipitation suggest as much as three inches of rain around the elevation of Idyllwild (5000-6000 ft) between the afternoon of Tuesday 27th December 2022 and Wednesday 4th January 2023. These concerns may steadily increase over the next few weeks with rising then falling temperatures, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt. . All have been reported to US Forest Service. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 12th November 2022 are as follows (measured on 15th for Deer Springs Trail locations). Spikes tend to be most valuable for descending even when not needed for ascending. 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. Members | Girl Scouts Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular track or trail. Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow in its upper switchbacks to the PCT. Great snowshoeing in the Winter. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures near or below freezing in the high country, and generally well below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). The 1714 sq.ft. Searchers planned to be back out this morning looking for both men. Currently only one major trail route has been traveled and even that is partially obscured by icefall, melting and drifted 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). These can be obtained from any of the ranger stations or from many of the local merchants. The trail descriptions list this route as being 16 miles round trip. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. In related (but frankly much more positive) news, today I had a long but spectacular day snowshoeing to San Jacinto Peak. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th December (east side) or 15th December (west side) 2022 are as follows. "On Mount San Jacinto, the conditions just aren't good for avalanches with the slopes and amount .