san gorgonio trail conditions

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. United States government. It continued to drizzle in Idyllwild all day, slowly accumulating to about 0.25 inch of rain. All trails above about 6500 ft remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. Further light snow is expected starting this evening, followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March. Use this trailhead address: South Fork Trail 1E04, 40800-40894 Jenks Lake Rd W, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin, and the State Park campground at Stone Creek, are closed for the season. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th December (east side) or 15th December (west side) 2022 are as follows. Deer Springs Trail [updated 15th December] now has an accurate snowshoe track to follow all the way to San Jacinto Peak as I broke trail the entire way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction on the afternoon of 15th. The table also shows that with another few inches, this could be the biggest snow season since the 1940s! After an interesting month of weather, the remainder of January into February is forecast to be somewhat more settled. These concerns may steadily increase over the next few weeks with (eventually) temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt. Between November 2021 and May 2022, 61 downed trees were removed and almost the entire trail thoroughly trimmed and cleared. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains 3-8 inches deep in places. From the top of Marion, the route is well-traveled but pretty uneven, up into Little Round Valley. SGWA lists the elevation gain from momyer creek trailhead to SG summit as 6,062'. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th). That fair weather in the valleys has fooled too many hikers, Weston said. However the Tuesday storm is forecast to be much colder, with a freeze level dropping to 5000 ft, with several of inches of snow therefore possible at the elevation of Idyllwild. Some hikers will find spikes preferable. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail. 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). There was a further 0.5 inch dusting of snow above 8000 ft on Thursday 29th (as I describe in this video). Your contribution helps SGWA protect the Wilderness and educate visitors! Many thanks to Florian Boyd for bringing this to my attention. Moderate snow has continued for the past few hours at San Jacinto Peak, with a storm total so far of about 7.5 inches. 3407 Calle Sin Rival is a 2956 square foot property with 4 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. The South Fork Trail is over 10 miles one-way. 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. Go Hiking Trip Reports San Gorgonio Wilderness-California. I think some of the switchbacks above High Creek Camp may have been lengthened in recent history to make the route longer. The next, much more substantial, wave of snow arrives later this afternoon. While the snow quantities are forecast to be 1-2 inches at most, they may be much colder systems than have been typical so far this winter, with freeze levels below 5000 ft. All trails above about 5000 ft are currently lightly (or above 8000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. Went out on South Fork/Dry Lake Trails with micro spikes to Dry Lake via winter route. 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. The trail is clearest above immediately above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. However a brief frigid interlude on 5th-6th February included a very light overnight snowfall at all elevations above 5000 ft, with 0.75 inch in Idyllwild, increasing to 1.5 inch at San Jacinto Peak. Currently spikes at a minimum, and ideally crampons, with an ice axe (and knowledge of how to use it), are strongly recommended. 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). United States government. Per "Tarol" 6-21-2011The Vivian Creek route is the most popular, South Fork is #2If you want a permit for Vivian for a dayhike on the weekend in the summertime, you must get it 3-4 weeks in advance. Children refers to the set of objects that logically fall under a given object. After that you have one of the best and most encouraging views of the summit of any route. It's remote trailhead is probibly the only reason it's not as popular as the other routes. The Peak Trail has about 90% cover of icy snow to 9900 ft elevation, and then >95% cover to San Jacinto Peak. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 4-5 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 4 inches on 24th (was approx. On the north side, a location just south-east of Banning in San Gorgonio Pass recorded a gust of 92 mph. SNOW DEPTHS measured on or around 28th November 2022 are as follows, with depths after the last significant storm (on 9th November) for comparison in parentheses where known. Comments Off on Vivian Creek Trail Maintenance, STAY SAFE! Rain has continued solidly today in Idyllwild, with another 0.90 inch since 0700 this morning. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is clear of snow. The initial freeze level was at about 9000 ft but has already dropped. Largely a day for digging out again, and getting prepared for the next major snowfall, due tonight. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. There is a well-traveled track on light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. Many hikers may find spikes are already useful, and will become increasingly so during and after this weekend with melting and compaction. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. 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. 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. Minor 0.5 inch dusting of snow above 8000 ft on Thursday 29th (, Moderate storm largely in the early hours of 1st January 2023 was the third significant snowfall of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. Share. 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. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Three periods of cold, cloudy days are now expected over the next ten days, but little if any precipitation.]. Icy snow cover is 80% overall, becoming increasingly patchy below about 7000 ft, and again in the sun-exposed areas above 8000 ft. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. Later that morning at San Jacinto Peak, I measured a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), the fourth lowest temperature I have ever recorded there. 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. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. On June 22, 16 SGWA Trail Crew members headed for the Vivian Creek trail. New treefall hazards on major trails have been reported to relevant agencies, and those on Spitler Peak Trail have already been cleared by the Trail Report. but ideal for snowshoes, which I used from Saddle to San Jacinto Peak and back. 2 night trip SB Peak Trail to Limber Pine, Trail Fork Springs and back. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). Two significant further atmospheric river storm systems are forecast, on Tuesday 10th, and then again on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th. Spikes are not essential but will be useful for most hikers, especially for descending. At 11,499 feet, San Gorgonio Mountain is the highest peak in California south of the Sierra. My snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junction through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide , the Peak Trail, and East Ridge, but this may become obscured by additional light snowfall and/or drifting snow from strong winds. There is a section of the PCT that is also locally known as the camp Cajon Kauder more Join us in thanking these generous businesses for their support of the Pacific Crest Trail. Temperatures will be below seasonal for December for at least the next week, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy. At the Peak on Thursday 17th November 2022 at 0825 the air temperature was 36.3F (2C), with a windchill temperature of 29.5F (-1C), 10% relative humidity, and a cool NW breeze sustained at 3 mph gusting to 6.3 mph. I've climbed it many times during winter and have found myself to be the only soul on the mountain. A few cleared patches are developing below 7000 ft. Search and Rescue advises always hike with someone, and not leave your group. June 20, 2017 at 7:59 pm #387136. 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. 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. I barebooted to 9000 ft, then snowshoed the rest of the way through lovely light powder. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 4-5 inches (5.5 inches on 12th December), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 4-6 inches (6 inches on 12th December), Long Valley (8600 ft): 3-4 inches (5-6 inches on 12th December), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Saddle Junction/approx. The Vivian Creek route is the most popular, South Fork is #2 Above that elevation, icy snow is largely continuous to Saddle Junction. For locations measured on 23rd January, these measurements are still useful, as the new recent snow depth is roughly offset by melting over the past week. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. 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). San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 10-12 inches (12-14 inches on 12th December), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 9 inches (10-12 inches on 12th December), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 2-4 inches (7 inches on 12th December), Annies Junction/approx. The significant Pacific storm of the winter that had been forecast over an extended period between about 16th-21st December is no longer thought likely to impact the San Jacinto mountains, although considerable uncertainty persists in the weather models for that period. (130) Good Coverage. After we took the Dry Lake trail for about a 1/4 of a mile, we split from the main trail and took the main winter route. These impacts are especially striking in Southern California mountains, where the sun is relatively potent even in midwinter and where even on the coldest days temperatures at mid elevations may fluctuate either side of freezing. Take warm clothing and equipment so you can stay overnight should you have to. As mentioned last week, current trail conditions are oddly reminiscent of spring, with snow distribution and iciness typical of April rather than December. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 22nd-27th December 2022 are as follows. Although not essential, spikes are recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Leave your itinerary Make sure you tell someone where you are planning to go and when youll be back. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. It is possible they may deteriorate even further with some warming from direct sunlight. Spikes are not required for ascending, but some hikers will find them useful at least for descending the uppermost section. The system was generally very mild, with the freeze level near 8000 ft, but this is expected to drop overnight, by which time the precipitation will have largely passed. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Add : Sale Price: $8.88 . He had taken ice climbing equipment he'd been given for Christmas, but had never used it before, authorities said. 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. Explore this 19.0-mile out-and-back trail near Forest Falls, California. Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 45 inches, heavily drifted, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 40 inches (45 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches (45-48 inches), Tahquitz Peak (8836 ft): 25 inches, heavily drifted to 40 inches in places (measured 20th January), Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 36 inches, Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8100 ft): 15 inches, Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 19 inches (21 inches), Suicide Rock Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (6950 ft): 1-3 inches, Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 2-4 inches (5-6 inches), Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-2 inches (3 inches). 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). Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. 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. Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Melting on sun-exposed slopes is already well underway, e.g., on lower Devils Slide Trail, South Ridge and lower Deer Springs trails. With some melting already underway and compaction caused by freeze-thaw cycles and hiker traffic, conditions will deteriorate for snowshoeing over the next few days, especially on more heavily traveled trails below 9000ft. 9.1 miles one-way. This morning Anabel and I broke trail up Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction. For day use a permit is required on any of the trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is largely clear of icy snow, with a few patches remaining, mostly close to Humber Park. From there I used snowshoes to ascend via Annies Junction and Wellman Divide. Please allow at least 72 hours for processing of permits.And as a reminder, self-issue permits are only good for that day.Also, Mill Creek RS phone number is now 909-382-2882 and they are closed Tues/Wed. ( On 13th, Idyllwild received 2.75 inches, and I measured five inches at San Jacinto Peak, with 3-4 inches at locations in between. The highest probability of precipitation is early morning on Friday 2nd. We hiked to top of San Gorgonio yesterday (8/23/09) via the Vivian Creek trail. Time of day, temperature, and sun exposure all have significant impacts on the nature of the snow, in turn changing the conditions underfoot, and hence both the hiking difficulty and the preferred traction device (if any). Currently few major trail routes have been traveled and even those may become partially obscured by drifted snow and fresh icefall. There are two new treefall hazards to pass on the upper trail.