It turned to occasional light snow at about 1500, but less than 0.5 inch has accumulated so far (at 5550 ft). Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all now options. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures well 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). Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. All seasonal and ephemeral streams were running strongly, and the current water conditions are the best for four years, since the great Valentines Day flood event of 2019. Each of them was memorable. she said. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 7500 ft, potentially lower in places. Spikes are expected to remain extremely useful over the next few weeks given the unpredictable weather. With compaction of the trails in the second week of January, snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country for the foreseeable future. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. 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. The cold icy early morning snow had the perfect bite for good boots with excellent soles. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses where known by the maximum depth so far this winter immediately following the latest storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. We survey the trail system daily, with hikes via different routes to San Jacinto Peak several times per week, Tahquitz Peak and vicinity at least weekly, and many other trails on other days. On 24th the road had about 30% patchy ice cover. This morning Anabel and I broke trail up Devils Slide Trail to Saddle Junction. 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. Precipitation is predicted to start falling by 6 p.m. Monday with lows in the mountains of 28 to 36 degrees and gusts up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego. See their announcement here. Snowshoes are useful in low to moderate angle terrain with adequate snow depth above about 8000 ft, for example the Tahquitz area meadows near Saddle Junction, sections of Deer Springs Trail, and Long Valley/Round Valley. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) 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. 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. The other bonus was an immaculate set of fresh Mountain Lion tracks in the trail (photos below), with sign that the lion had crossed back-and-forth across Devils Slide in multiple locations further up also. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Sunday 1st January 2023 at 0830 the air temperature was 17.9F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -2.3F (-19C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 21.1 mph. Very shallow snow is often icy and potentially perilous, while deeper powder can actually be much safer, albeit slow-going for most hikers. This latest storm was again very mild, as expected from an atmospheric river system pulling moisture in from warmer latitudes. the snowfall predicted in some forecasts. Spikes are strongly recommended. All trails above about 5500 ft are currently snow-covered. 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). 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). 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). no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. The highest peaks appeared to add slightly less snow than some lower locations, probably because they were above the cloud for some of the precipitation events. South Ridge Road is now clear of ice and snow. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches, Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 2.5 inches (melting already underway this afternoon). This may mean rain and/or freezing rain as high as 10,000 ft, and challenging layers of icy or mixed snow/ice conditions at all elevations, including the possible melting of some or most preexisting snow below about 8000 ft due to rainfall. Forecasts the expected snowfall amount, snow accumulation, and with snowfall radar. Areas here at 6500-7000 ft had had much less snow than a few miles further north, only 0.5-1.0 inch depth. You will encounter 35 to 45 degree snow slopes, with the angle increasing as you get near the top. Snow cover is a patchy 20% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.5 mile (roughly 8600 ft). Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. Relatively little snow is therefore expected throughout the mid elevations including Idyllwild. Forecast models have a higher degree of confidence for the Tuesday storm than the storm next weekend. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including chunks as large as a small microwave weighing 40-80 lb, which then dislodge as soon as direct sunlight warms the trees. Two powerful systems will bring heavy snow and areas of blizzard conditions across southern and interior Alaska. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Altitudes are approximate. A few cleared patches are developing below 7000 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. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (summarized here) has been melting steadily at mid elevations but more slowly in the high country given the relative weakness of the sun at this time of year. Strong winds expected on 11th-12th, and again on 14th, will likely obscure many tracks. The mountain snow level is expected to drop to 6,000 feet by Wednesday morning . The main track is clearest just above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. The primary purpose of this update is an advisory of imminent major snow accumulation forecast due to a triple storm sequence. If camping in the Mt. Mt. The Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 10th January] has minor patches of snow along its entire length, however it is largely clear for long sections, and the remaining snow is rarely icy. Current forecasts suggest that the moderate storm on 14th-15th January may be cooler than the Tuesday storm, with somewhat more snow at lower elevations. If there are Road Closed signs further down often the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Thankfully it was relatively straightforward in crampons as the underlying snow was very solid due to freeze/thaw cycles, and the overlying powder was generally shallow. 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. Consequently cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. Thursday 5th January saw the fifth storm in the past ten days in the San Jacinto mountains. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. 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. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park remains open and the parking area has been largely plowed. 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. [Checked 18th January by Anne and Anabel. Crampons are recommended for the traversing slopes. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 19th December (east side) or 15th December (west side) 2022 are as follows. However the route is now largely well-traveled and compacted. Overall, melting is proceeding faster than expected, especially with warmer than forecast temperatures, but this weekend trails will be very icy. She was driving on Interstate 10 (and had to concentrate on the road!) More rain and snow is expected in the San Diego area Monday and forecast to arrive . 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. Rapid melting of snow on sun-exposed slopes and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. However they are not required, depending on your comfort level with postholing in drifted snow of moderate depth. We have had an excellent start to 2023 regarding the water and snow situations in the San Jacinto mountains. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin and patchy icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). 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. 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