So don't be fooled into thinking you are going for 16 miles. Its proximity to scenic trails and nearby mountain lakes and streams make the campground a great . Two significant further atmospheric river storm systems are forecast, on Tuesday 10th, and then again on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th. Weather near Middle Fork Jumpoff Last report from Apple Valley, CA 26.7km away Temperature: 18C / 64F Wind: . Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular route, as discussed below. Four hikers have been found dead in three weeks, none of them novices. South Ridge Road remains closed now with only about 35% icy snow cover. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. When the gate is closed there are still nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). In fact on my hike to San Jacinto Peak on Monday 13th through steady morning snow I could barely tell the difference in snow depths from the previous week, as the few inches of fresh snow had almost exactly replaced the few inches of depth that had melted over the previous week. Overnight in Idyllwild we had three inches of snow, the first notable snowfall of this latest storm series, but temperatures actually warmed during the night (presumably with the arrival of the latest atmospheric river) and before dawn it was raining on top of the snow. This makes for less than perfect snowshoeing conditions, but still preferable to postholing. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Spikes are recommended. A second forecast storm system may bring some light precipitation to the San Jacinto mountains on 2nd December, and possibly again on 4th-5th. Photos (5,382) Directions. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the challenge (or otherwise) of a given trail. The total snow accumulation was ultimately somewhat below prior forecasts, with San Jacinto Peak receiving about 9-10 inches overnight (rather than the 12-16 anticipated). However the route is now largely well-traveled and compacted. South Ridge Road (5S11) remains closed to vehicle traffic. This latest storm was again very mild, as expected from an atmospheric river system pulling moisture in from warmer latitudes. 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. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular track or trail. 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. Consequently cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. 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. Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. The Vivian Creek trail is an artery used by hikers to reach the peak. Note that tracks are being obscured very quickly by drifting of snow from strong winds, sometimes in hours or even minutes (see photo below). Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are now closed for the season. 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. Apartments with air conditioning for rent in San Clemente. Stone Creek campground had also closed, but I saw that it had apparently reopened for Thanksgiving weekend. The twelfth storm system of winter 2022/23 impacted the San Jacinto mountains with a minor snow storm on 29th-30th January. Trails above about 7500 ft currently remain lightly covered with patchy icy snow (more continuous above about 9000 ft). At the Peak on Friday 6th January 2023 at 0930 the air temperature was 25.7F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 14.7F (-10C), 44% relative humidity, and a chilly NNW breeze sustained at 5 mph gusting to 10.6 mph. Potentially stormy weather forecast for four periods in the past ten days all failed to significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. Two new trees were down on the upper trail, unsurprising given the huge weight of ice from freezing rain plastered all over the trees. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. These storms are currently forecast to each produce at least ten inches of snow at the highest elevations and an inch or more of rain at mid elevations (e.g., in Idyllwild). Forest, San Gorgonio Wilderness, San Jacinto Wilderness and State Park. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail is largely clear of icy snow, with a few patches remaining, mostly close to Humber Park. I've climbed it many times during winter and have found myself to be the only soul on the mountain. 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. 5; 12; 2 months, 4 weeks ago. These mileages were all recently revised by the USFS and SGWA(one-way mileages to the top of San G)Vivian Creek 9.3 miles 5,422' gainSouth Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gainFish Creek 10.1 miles 3,342' gainSouth Fork via Dry Lake 11.34 miles, 4,622' gainAspen Grove 12.75 miles, 4,092' gainLost Creek Trail via Dry Lake 12.9 miles, 5,182' gainMomyer 13.2 miles, 6,062' gainForsee via Jackstraw 15.18 miles, 4,702' gain. Although most of the downed trees reported this summer were cleared in July, four more major trees came down in Tropical Storm Kay in September. Trails down to 5000 ft elevation currently have patchy shallow snow cover. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. A few trees were cut by chainsaw at the far (Hidden Divide) end of the Forest Service section recently, presumably by a CCC or State Park crew. From there I put in a direct ascending track roughly following the old East Ridge Trail to the Peak. Ft. 3919 Calle Andalucia, San Clemente, CA 92673. Current road and parking lot condition for South Fork Trailheda, 11/5/2022- First 3 miles of the Forsee Creek Trail, Trail report Momyer up Falls Creek up Dollar to San G and down Viv. 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. Leave your itinerary Make sure you tell someone where you are planning to go and when youll be back. Despite recent sunshine, 'It's just a sheet of ice up there,' a rescue official says. 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). Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Long Valley (8600 ft) looks to have added about 12 inches since last night. 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. Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (possibly lower in places) obscured by moderate snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. Bear in mind that half the winter total, 26 inches, have fallen in the past five days! If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. 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. San Bernardino Nat. Thanks. 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. Official websites use .gov A .gov These conditions are expected to change significantly over the next ten days due to the highly unsettled weather forecast into early January. I put in a posthole track the entire way up, but crampons (with an ice axe) were necessary on the upper switchbacks above about 8300 ft due to the usual steeply angled ice obscured underneath 6-12 inches of powder. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Type of Hike Day hike. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (discussed here) continues to melt slowly. 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. Both storms were relatively cold, the second in particular dusting snow below 3500 ft elevation. For example, although Long Valley currently has about 5 feet of snow, publicly available records for the 1970s show that Long Valley averaged 119 inches (almost 10 feet!) Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by any additional light snowfall and/or especially by drifting snow from strong winds. Palm Springs Desert Sun. After some early sleety drizzle it has been snowing in Long Valley (8600 ft) since late morning with 0.75 inch accumulating so far. Section B. Warner Springs to I-10/San Gorgonio Pass. Be prepared for trails above about 7500 ft (lower in places) obscured by moderate to deep snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. The State Park campground at Stone Creek is also closed. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail), and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) also closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. 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. Thank you so much for your support. 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. Spitler Peak Trail (surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. The week from 21st-26th December may be among the warmest on record for the year-end holiday period. Deer Springs Trail (surveyed 8th December) is functionally clear of ice to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft). 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. Snow cover is about 60% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter >90% to San Jacinto Peak. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Trailhead directions: The trailhead is located on Jenks Lake Road, 2.5 miles from Highway 38. 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. South Ridge Road is clear of ice and snow. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. 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. I recorded a short video at the Peak, available here on YouTube. Current snow depth at Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park is 4-5 inches on top of 1-2 inches of ice/icy snow from recent freezing rain. 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. Spitler Peak Trail (last surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. San Gorgonio. Current road and parking lot condition for South Fork Trailheda. Snowshoes are very strongly recommended for any trails in, or leading to, the high country. The map below shows the new updated El Dorado fire closure area. Even if there is no precipitation, there will be temperatures well below seasonal on those days. 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. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, and for the entire Deer Springs Trail. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. If there are Road Closed signs further down at the junction with Forest Drive as is often the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 8 inches (8-9 inches), Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4 inches (total 4 inches). Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for most hikers. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently snow-covered, and partially snow-covered above 5500 ft. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-1 inches (3.5 inches on 12th December). I measured 1.5 inches of fresh snow at Saddle Junction early this morning, with about one inch at Humber Park, and 0.8 inch of snow (following 0.7 inch of rain) at 5550 ft in Idyllwild. The powder was lovely and soft, and overlying a firm icy layer (from all the freezing rain). With at least two further snowfalls expected in the next few days, and strong winds in the high country expected for the next week causing substantial daily drifting of snow, much of the trail system will remain largely obscured by light to moderate snow until the second week of January. Many thanks to Florian Boyd for bringing this to my attention. 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. Only 2.5 inches of snow fell at San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft) decreasing to 0.25 inch in upper Fern Valley (at approximately 6000 ft). Only five of these require cutting, and I was able to remove three by hand earlier in February. Note that there are about a dozen stream crossings and sections of the trail with water flowing in them, at times for tens of feet. Snow cover remains >95% through Little Round Valley up to San Jacinto Peak. Crampons (or perhaps spikes or snowshoes on some days) are recommended. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. The second system may be more substantial, with precipitation expected most of the day and night of Saturday 31st December into Sunday 1st January. 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. In general conditions in the remainder of January will be much more settled than for the first half of the month. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. The areas Im reporting are within a mile or so of the McDonalds. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Tuesday 6th December 2022 at 1530 the air temperature was 19.9F (-7C), with a windchill temperature of 3.8F (-16C), 18% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 13.2 mph. Day hiked on 12/22/22 - Very nice snow and weather conditions with little wind. With the light dusting of fresh powder overnight, accompanied by strong winds causing extensive drifting, prior tracks had been partially obscured everywhere and almost completely erased above 8900 ft so I was again breaking trail in the high country. As of the afternoon of Sunday 1st, 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). Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). Map showing recreational areas. Once we reached the point where the Mineshaft trail beings it's long series of switchbacks (around 10,500' ) the trail was completely covered, forcing us to go direct - straight up the snow + a bit of rock scrambling up a large scree rock slid.. The icy conditions are the third deadly threat in the mountains, which were ravaged first by fires, then flash floods late last year. Free shipping for many products! Fish Creek 10.1 miles 3,342' gain Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 23rd and 26th January] has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the shallow icy snow (still >90% snow cover). Snow cover is shallow up to about 7000 ft, but relatively heavy above 8000 ft. Melting on sun-exposed slopes is well underway, e.g., on lower South Ridge and Deer Springs trails. Spikes are recommended but not required depending upon your comfort level hiking on angled icy snow. The trail is largely clear of snow from Highway 243 to Strawberry Junction, and with about 60% snow cover from there up to 8600 ft. Marion Mountain Trail [updated 22nd December] has a well-defined but lumpy posthole track throughout. San Gorgonio Peak via Vivian Creek Trail Directions: After that you have one of the best and most encouraging views of the summit of any route. Deer Springs Trail has an excellent posthole track to follow along its entire length. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak [checked 9th January] has no steps to follow through the steeply angled icy snow. Marion Mountain Trail has a lightly-traveled posthole track to follow, that does not follow the trail route in places. 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. 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. Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. Ali Aminian, 51, of Newbury Park was an experienced Sierra Club member who went hiking alone in the same area Jan. 11, while Koh was still missing. When to go: June-October. Comments Off on Vivian Creek Trail Maintenance, STAY SAFE! Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at 1030 the air temperature was 4.9F (-15C), with a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), 65% relative humidity, and a bitter due North wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. You don't hike alone. South Ridge Trail [updated 24th December] has about 30% icy snow cover from the top of South Ridge Road to Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). Conversely in places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. The Vivian Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail. but ideal for snowshoes, which I used from Saddle to San Jacinto Peak and back. South Ridge Road (5S11) is also currently closed to vehicle traffic. Treacherous ice is the common denominator in three of the four deaths, and the disappearances of Kumm and Barbour, said Sgt. The advice above should be used with this in mind, and if in any doubt carry the necessary traction devices that you will be most comfortable using. I descended via Deer Springs Trail, breaking trail through virgin powder all the way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Prior to that Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) had received 1.04 inches of rain, with a little hail and sleet mixed in. Forecasts for snowfall have varied greatly in both timing and volume, the latter ranging from inches to feet. At the Peak on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at 1030 the air temperature was 4.9F (-15C), with a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), 65% relative humidity, and a bitter due North wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. 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. 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. These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. Consequently the next comprehensive Report update will probably be published on Wednesday 15th February. Amrhein spoke at the command post at the closed Vivian Creek hiking trailhead, where weary search-and-rescue teams fanned out on a foot of fresh snow atop sheer ice, looking for Eugene Kumm, 25, of Seal Beach, missing since he set out alone for San Gorgonio peak Saturday. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 19th December 2022 at 0920 the air temperature was 31.3F (0C), with a windchill temperature of 20.7F (-6C), 9% relative humidity, and a light WNW wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 9.9 mph. 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. Phone is 909-382-2882 or you can request a permit via fax at (909) 794-1125. contact San Bernardino National Forest, San Gorgonio Ranger District, 34701 Mill Creek Rd., Mentone, CA 92359 909-382-2882 or fax (909) 794-1125.Current Trail Conditions. Mike, You might want to use this one instead Put on snowshoes and went up to the base of San Gorgonio . Even if its warm and sunny at lower elevations, its cold and icy in the wilderness. Altitudes are approximate. Expect crowding. Waterproof or highly water resistant footwear is recommended. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended everywhere above about 8500 ft, and 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, on both flanks but especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Explore this 19.0-mile out-and-back trail near Forest Falls, California. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location followed in parentheses by the maximum depth where known so far this winter, generally immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. Vehicles not parked in these spaces may be ticketed and/or towed. Above Saddle there was a layer of fresh powder (from the previous night) on top of a thick layer of ice, itself on top of more snow from prior storms. There are other South Fork Trails in Southern California, so make sure you are going to South Fork . Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 7500 ft. South Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gain There I generally put on Kahtoola microspikes for the descent. 10 inches on 9th), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-1 inch (was 4 inches on 9th), Annies Junction/approx. Spikes are recommended but not strictly essential depending upon your comfort level hiking on angled icy snow. San Bernardino Trail and Forsee Creek trails, along with the campsites near those trails, are still closed. You can also request via fax at (909) 794-1125. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the ease (or otherwise) of hiking a given trail. The forecast for the last ten days of December differs radically from what was predicted just a week ago, and a major warming trend is expected rather than another cold Pacific storm. Aspen Grove 12.75 miles, 4,092' gain Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. Measured snow depths as of late morning/early afternoon today are: San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft) 38 inches, at least 14 new in this storm; Wellman Divide (9700 ft) 30 inches, with 15 new in this storm; Annies Junction at 9070 ft the highest point of the PCT in Southern California 30 inches, with 14 new in this storm; Saddle Junction (8100ft) 15 inches, about 7-8 new in this storm; Devils Slide Trailhead at Humber Park (6520 ft) 2 inches, all from this storm. Sadly at first light the precipitation turned to drizzle at all elevations on the western slope between (at least) Idyllwild and 8100 ft at Saddle Junction, and consequently the snow quality was deteriorating fast at mid elevations this morning. My tracks from Wednesday 18th January from Humber Park to/from San Jacinto Peak will be largely visible but may become somewhat obscured in places. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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. 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 Mountain lies at the easternmost extremity of the Transverse Ranges.The mountain is a heavily eroded, partially dissected plateau.. Big Bear Lake, California is the largest city near San Gorgonio, and hosts two major ski resorts; it is also used for summer recreation.. Geology. I kept those on for the rest of the ascent, and almost all of the descent, finally removing them most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. I just moved to southern california and want to be back out doing what I love. 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. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country well into February. While all time and effort is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report requests small private donations to cover costs. Conditions are currently excellent for avalanches on specific terrain in the San Jacinto high country, as proven below. Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 5-6 inches (was approx. If you want to hike during the week, you have a better chance of getting a permit. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. 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. Average snow depth around the peak was 24-25 inches, but heavily drifted. Note that data for the high country are dramatically different from those for Idyllwild, and generally sadly lacking, other than meteorological records for Long Valley (8600 ft elevation) since the 1960s. However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. The average snow depth in this area is only about five inches, but on this slope it is heavily drifted in places at 10-12 inches. There was a dusting of snow in Garner Valley (4300 ft). About 46 inches have fallen in the past eight days. New treefall hazards on several major trails have been reported, and those on Spitler Peak Trail have already been cleared by the Trail Report.