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Temperatures are expected to remain below average for January for the remainder of the month in Strawberry Valley (Idyllwild area), but are forecast to swing well above average (above freezing) for the highest elevations on 21st-26th January. The first number is the current total snow depth, followed in parentheses by the greatest depth of the winter to date following the latest storm on 11th-12th December. . Treacherous ice is the common denominator in three of the four deaths, and the disappearances of Kumm and Barbour, said Sgt. These conditions are expected to change significantly over the next ten days due to the highly unsettled weather forecast into early January. but probably light rain and/or about an inch of snow at the elevation of Idyllwild. Strong winds expected on 11th-12th February, and again on 14th, will likely obscure many tracks with spindrift. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. UPDATE Tuesday 3rd January 2023: Following another minor overnight snow storm our fourth in the past week Anabel and I briskly broke trail up Devils Slide to Saddle Junction early this morning. I was very happy to find no new treefall hazards down on Spitler Peak Trail. A light snowfall on the evening of Tuesday 21st will be accompanied by very strong winds, and is expected to largely or completely eliminate all tracks above about 7000 ft. the snowfall predicted in some forecasts. 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. Turn around take a look, establish points of reference, a mountain top you can see or a particular rock formation, that will take you home. In related (but frankly much more positive) news, today I had a long but spectacular day snowshoeing to San Jacinto Peak. At 11,503, "Old Grayback" provides an excellent high altitude training for those . However, snowshoes may become increasingly useful if conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 9000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Fresh snowfall, melting, and freeze/thaw cycles will all combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain over the next week or two. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 36-40 inches (winter max depth 45-48 inches), drifted >50 inches in places, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 38 inches (45 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches (48 inches), Long Valley (8600 ft): 20 inches (24 inches), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 18 inches (22 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-3 inches, partly melted by afternoon of 6th (6 inches), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): <1.0 inch, largely melted by afternoon of 6th (4 inches). At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 11th January 2023 at 0915 the air temperature was 24.0F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 5.8F (-15C), 74% relative humidity, and a bitter NNW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 24.5 mph. At the Peak on Thursday 15th December 2022 at 0715 the air temperature was 28.0F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 13.9F (-10C), 52% relative humidity, and a chilly WNW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 14.5 mph. For day use a permit is required on any of the trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. 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). However, forecast models suggest anywhere from 6-20 inches of snow above 10,000 ft elevation spread across at least two of the three days, and the possibility of several inches of snow at mid elevations (e.g., 2-4 inches in Idyllwild). The forecasts remain wildly inconsistent for the potential storms next week but it is looking increasingly likely that the systems will miss us to the north.]. Add : Our Price: $15.95 . The remainder of February is currently forecast to continue the cold temperatures of recent days, generally at or below seasonal at all mountain elevations, and to be increasingly unsettled. New treefall hazards on several major trails have been reported, and those on Spitler Peak Trail have already been cleared by the Trail Report. This information will be updated daily over the next week as details are changing significantly with every new forecast. South Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gain San Gorgonio trail and issued strong warnings to those who choose to hike the region's rugged mountains in treacherous conditions. All trails above about 4500 ft are snow-covered. Three periods of cold, cloudy days are now expected over the next ten days, but little if any precipitation.]. This morning I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. It's 7.8 miles (Gary Suttle's book lists it as 8.4 miles) with almost 5,500 feet in elevation gain. With such strong Santa Ana winds on Thursday 26th causing extensive drifting, and a light snowfall early on 30th, by the 30th prior tracks had been thoroughly erased and I was once again breaking trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak, largely through relatively shallow powder. 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. The Fish Creek Trail is a great route. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. As mentioned above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, notably the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. Avalanche risk in the high country is currently minimal due to snow depths and conditions, with the exception of the traditionally unstable north face of San Jacinto Peak which avalanches to some extent every winter. UPDATE Friday 20th January: Overnight Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow, but the high country was above the cloud so existing tracks should be unaffected. 5; 12; 2 months, 4 weeks ago. Snowshoes are not required anywhere, as recent experience has shown that off-trail snow is now too shallow and/or patchy for snowshoes. The high country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast for the high country. #32 | Salsa Dancing Up Half Dome, Redemption on San Gorgonio - Vurbl The icy conditions are the third deadly threat in the mountains, which were ravaged first by fires, then flash floods late last year. Spikes are strongly recommended. There are layers of hard ice and firm icy snow beneath the fresh powder, and crampons are ideal at present everywhere above 9000 ft, lower in places. I recorded an overly rambling and partly wind affected video report from San Jacinto Peak late morning on Wednesday 18th, available here on YouTube, but it does give a sense for the conditions underfoot at the highest elevations, and for the spectacular vista that day. Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since the early November storm, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. San Gorgonio, San Bernardino National Forest - Recreation.gov 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. Minimum Impact Ethics; Wilderness Regulations; Forum; Trails. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft, lower in places. Emergency-Closure-Forest-Order-No.-05-12-00-23-02-SIGNED-1. 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. 3407 Calle Sin Rival, San Clemente, CA 92673 | Redfin Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. I snowshoed the rest of the way to San Jacinto Peak through lovely light powder. 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. Both days I put spikes on at the Peak for the descent, on 24th keeping them on until about 8000 ft on Marion Mountain Trail, and on 28th until about 9900 ft on the Peak Trail, roughly one mile north of Wellman Divide. 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. Most days will be at least partly cloudy. However the route is now largely well-traveled and compacted. However they will remain very valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places) for the next week or two at least. At about 10K feet we began seeing our fist snow obstructing the trail. 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. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. "He usually goes with his girlfriend or a buddy," said Hendley, who lives across the street from Kumm. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for almost all major trails (details below). Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. We are leveraging crowd-sourced info for water availability and other conditions. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. Steady melting of snow, especially on sun-exposed slopes, and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. The permits can be obtained at the Ranger Station in Mentone, 34701 Mill Creek Rd. WATCH: Rare Southern California Avalanche Caught On Camera The number given is the current average total snow depth. Currently few major trail routes have been traveled and even those may become partially obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. Altitudes are approximate. Despite warmer temperatures on some days, hikers should be prepared for temperatures near freezing in the high country, and generally below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). Broadly speaking it is clear that snowfall has become much more variable in the past decade, ranging from extremely dry (<10 inches) to, obviously, very snowy. Thank you so much for your support. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. Forecasts are increasingly confident of a moderate storm on Sunday 11th, with up to 1.5 inch of rain at the elevation of Idyllwild, turning into 1-3 inches of light snow on Sunday night, while 8-14 inches of snow are forecast for the high country. "Everything he has done indicates he was not an experienced hiker. website belongs to an official government organization in the Round Valley is the campsite along the trail to San Jacinto from the Long Valley ranger station. However it is thinning rapidly everywhere, and will look radically different in a week or so. San Gorgonio Peak via Vivian Creek Trail Quick Facts: Elevation: 11,503 feet. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 45-48 inches (includes about 24 inches snow in latest storms), heavily drifted to 60 inches in places, especially on the East Ridge. The fresh snow overnight could have covered any tracks or other signs of a campsite, but "if he's still moving, we'd be able to see his footprints clearly," Amrhein said. 2nd-3rd December). This western side of the mountain was better protected from winds and drifting snow, and this track should largely survive until the weekend. March 11 - San Gorgonio via Jepson Bowl and return same route. Started by: jack. San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek - SoCal Hiker Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. While the snow was not especially deep, it still took about double the time of a completely dry ascent. Hiking Mount San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek Trail is quite the challenge. 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. 602 S. Tippecanoe Ave. Note: When there is sufficient snow coverage, the winter route is MUCH preferred and typically much safer. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including many chunks I have estimated as weighing 40-100 lb this winter, which can dislodge dramatically once direct sunlight warms the trees.