san gorgonio trail conditions

This was immediately followed by a milder storm on 22nd-23rd that brought heavy snowfall with 13 inches in Idyllwild across a 30 hour period (measured at 5550 ft), and about 18 inches in Long Valley (8600 ft). At the Peak on Wednesday 1st February 2023 at 0935 the air temperature was 16.6F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -8.0F (-22C), 13% relative humidity, and a wild NNE wind sustained at 21 mph gusting to 35.2 mph. It's nearly 20 miles, a 5,600 foot elevation gain and it reaches 11,503 feet! As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. Thanks. So we recommend getting your permit in advance! On the morning of Wednesday 15th February I ascended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes), descending the western side via roughly Deer Springs Trail. Hard 4.7 (4326) San Gorgonio Wilderness. From the top of Marion Mountain Trail icy snow cover is about 90% to Little Round Valley, although there are a few lengthy clear areas on sun-exposed sections. Map Information, Forest Headquarters San . Envie de partir en randonne autour de Sand To Snow National Monument pour explorer ce superbe coin de San Bernardino County ? WEATHER UPDATE 23rd December: forecasts have been shifting dramatically in recent days. Some of the storms are expected to be very cold with snow levels below 3000 ft, and, for example, Garner Valley may receive between 6-12 inches of snow by early March. One major treefall hazard is across the trail almost exactly midway between the trailheads at Humber Park and Tahquitz View Drive. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Current forecasts for precipitation suggest as much as three inches of rain around the elevation of Idyllwild (5000-6000 ft) between the evening of Tuesday 27th December 2022 and Friday 6th January 2023. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. Spikes will likely become more increasingly useful over the next few days as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. Spikes can be useful for descending in particular. The best times to visit this trail are May through November. Latest details are given in the introduction above. This latest storm was again very mild, as expected from an atmospheric river system pulling moisture in from warmer latitudes. 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. Hopefully someone will update the trail description with respect to the total miles. San Gorgonio, located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing above about 9000 ft, potentially lower in places. Days are short and nights are very cold. Best, 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 snowfall of this 20th storm of the winter brings the seasonal total here to 71.8 inches of snow, which is 233% of the average water year snowfall for Idyllwild. The summit of San Gorgonio (11,499') is 3 miles beyond High Creek. United States government. However I was surprised to find almost all of this had melted by the time I hiked to San Jacinto Peak on 31st December. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. 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). This is the flattest portion of the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains, and snow depth currently averages about 13 inches. It is clear, based on information on the PCTA website closures page (linked here), that these closures will dramatically and negatively impact early season PCT hikers. Spikes are recommended but not strictly essential depending upon your comfort level hiking on angled icy snow. Snowshoes are not required anywhere on the established trail system, where snow is now too shallow, icy and compacted. He didn't know the area, and he was in ice with [boot spikes] he just got at Christmas," Goodman said. There is considerable uncertainty regarding timing and precipitation amounts for Southern California. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. Deer Springs Trail has a broken track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak. 2 night trip SB Peak Trail to Limber Pine, Trail Fork Springs and back. Spikes at least are required, but preferably crampons, both best used with an ice axe, specifically for the uppermost switchbacks, but traction is useful for descending much lower also. As described above, crampons with hiking poles and an ice axe, depending on terrain are currently very useful everywhere above about 9000 ft. San Gorgonio are popular peaks year-round with Southland hikers, and receive snowfall above roughly 7,000 feet in winter. Altitudes are approximate. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. Spitler Peak Trail is now functionally clear of snow. All have been reported to US Forest Service. The storm forecast for 29th-30th January looks less dramatic than previously predicted, with the high country largely above the storm (only an inch of snow forecast), and only 2-4 inches now expected at the elevation of Idyllwild. Roads 1n02 / 1n05 that go into Aspen Grove and Fish Creek are closed for the winter. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for most of the major trails (details below). 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). San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 25-27 inches (includes 2.5 inches snow added on 10th January) but very heavily drifted, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 24 inches (2 inches on 10th January), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 16 inches (1.5 inches snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail/PCT Mile 184.9 (8700 ft): 13 inches (1 inch snow on 10th), Long Valley (8600 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus 1.5 inches rain on 10th), Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183.3 (8100 ft): 6 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 8 inches (1 inch snow plus unknown quantity of rain on 10th), Deer Springs Trail at Suicide Rock Trail junction (6950 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0.5 inch (0.5 inch snow plus >1.0 inch rain on 10th). However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for almost all major trails (details below). After some early sleety drizzle it has been snowing in Long Valley (8600 ft) since late morning with 0.75 inch accumulating so far. Weve had a long break due to the Covid-19 issues, but after developing a set of safety procedures our teams are back in business. The northerly wind was bitter at the Peak and got stronger throughout the morning as we descended. Every year seems to have unique challenges and 2023 is already proving to be no exception. Comments Off on Updated El Dorado closure area. Reliable tracks are currently only known to be my posthole tracks from 15th for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via the Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails, and then descending Deer Springs Trail. Steady heavy snow started in Idyllwild at about 0830 but stopped at about 1400. Fresh snowfall in Long Valley is now at about four inches. Some hikers will find spikes preferable. 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. 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. All trails above about 5500 ft are largely snow-covered (wholly snow-covered above about 7000 ft). 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. At the Peak on Wednesday 18th January 2023 at 1115 the air temperature was 16.8F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -3.6F (-20C), 27% relative humidity, and a frigid NNW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 25.8 mph. It warmed last night to just above freezing below 6000 ft, with a mixture of rain and sleet falling on top of the prior snow, turning it increasingly to wet slush at mid elevations (we measured about 0.25 inch rain in Idyllwild). If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Type of Hike Day hike. See more of the Johns Meadow Trail clearing on volunteer John Flippins website, High Lake Photography. 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. . Your contribution helps SGWA protect the Wilderness and educate visitors! ) or https:// means you've safely 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. From near Miller Peak, I did not continue to break trail on the Peak Trail, but instead turned up the East Ridge, breaking a track roughly along the route of the old East Ridge Trail. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow; very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The PCT throughout the San Jacinto mountains (roughly Miles 207-151) has a clear track to follow, including Fuller Ridge Trail, which has been traversed by a handful of sobo PCT hikers.