The most recent storm of winter 2025/26 produced significant rainfall at mid elevations on 3rd-4th January, plus a minor snowfall overnight on 4th January. It was significantly colder – with more snow than rain at upper elevations – than most of the storms so far this winter, especially the very mild storm just three days earlier that was described in detail in the previous Report (linked here).

The morning of Thursday 8th January was a remarkable time to be on San Jacinto Peak. Strong winds had been forecast, and I timed my hike to experience them. In truly wild conditions, I recorded the highest wind gust reported in winter at the Peak (60.4 mph) and the highest sustained wind speed I have ever recorded there (44 mph). (The all-time record wind gust recorded at the Peak was 77.8 mph on 9th September 2022 during Tropical Storm Kay.) I recorded a short video from the Peak (linked here) although even that doesn’t seem to adequately convey the dramatic wind speeds.

High pressure returns to Southern California by this weekend with temperatures moving far above seasonal again next week, and, predictably, no significant further precipitation in the forecasts before late January.

With the high country remaining below freezing since Monday 5th, melting has been slow above 8000 ft. Melting will be steady this weekend, especially on sun-exposed slopes, before accelerating dramatically everywhere next week, especially given that snow depths everywhere are minimal.

South Ridge Road (5S11) closed on Saturday 3rd January having been partially blocked by a boulder involved in a landslide about 0.5 mile up following heavy rains (photo in previous Report linked here).

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (even more frequently during winter storm weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Light snow late on 4th January dusted down to 7400 ft on South Ridge Trail and to 7800 ft on Deer Springs Trail. On 5th I measured 1.5 inches at 8500 ft on South Ridge and two inches at Tahquitz Peak, with one inch at Saddle Junction, two at Wellman Divide and three inches at San Jacinto Peak. I recorded a short video report from San Jacinto Peak at about 1100 (linked here).

Prodigious rain continued until near dawn on 5th at mid elevations, with another 1.21 inches in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) in the 24 hours to 0700 that morning, for a storm total of 1.93, and remarkably 6.9 inches in the 14 days between 23rd December and 5th January.

Temperatures have remained below average this week, but are forecast to start climbing on Friday 9th, and by next week will be well above seasonal for January, as a “blocking” high pressure system moves back in over California, redirecting storm systems well to the north once again.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Thursday 8th January 2026 at 0945 the air temperature was 16.9°F (-8°C), with a windchill temperature of -12.3°F (-25°C), 63% relative humidity, and a record-breaking WNW wind sustained at 44 mph gusting to 60.4 mph. The latter was a record wind gust for winter at the Peak (photo below), and the former an all-time record for sustained wind speed that I have recorded at the Peak.

At the Peak on Monday 5th January 2026 at 1100 the air temperature was 19.7°F (-7°C), with a windchill temperature of -1.5°F (-19°C), 59% relative humidity, and a bitter SW wind sustained at 21 mph gusting to 26.4 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Snow on trails is largely continuous above about 8200 ft, and continuous above 9000 ft. However it is thin everywhere, generally only 1-2 inches deep below about 9700 ft, and will melt rapidly as temperatures rise over the next few days.

There were fresh tracks to follow on South Ridge, Wellman, Peak, Deer Springs, and Marion Mountain trails, plus the PCT from Miles 177-181, as early as the afternoon of Monday 5th. There is now also a reliable track to follow through very thin snow on the Round Valley Trail from Long Valley to Wellman Divide.

Carrying spikes remains valuable everywhere above about 9000 ft, and some hikers may find them useful in places as low as 8000 ft. Over the course of the next few days high country trails may become somewhat compacted from hiker traffic, and will undergo freeze/thaw cycles, turning the current powder into firmer, icy snow. Conversely, melting will be rapid as temperatures rise over the next few days, reducing the need for traction, especially below 9000 ft and on sun-exposed slopes. Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they seem marginally necessary for ascending.

Crampons could be used above about 9700 ft (Wellman Divide on the east side, Little Round Valley on the west side), at least for the next few days while snow depth is adequate, but they are certainly not required (nor preferable to spikes). Snow depths and conditions are generally inadequate for snowshoes even at the highest elevations.

The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail on the north side of Tahquitz ridge from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak was, remarkably, almost completely clear of icy snow (that remained from November) when checked on the morning of Saturday 3rd, having been drastically melted by mild rainfall in the preceding days. Fresh snow on this trail, when resurveyed on 5th, is only 1-2 inches deep and most hikers will not require spikes.

Devil’s Slide Trail is functionally clear of snow to 7800 ft. Between there and Saddle Junction there are some extended patches of very thin snow, which will become more icy this weekend (before melting completely next week). Most hikers will find spikes are not required.

Snow cover on the Wellman Trail is almost continuous but extremely thin, and most of this very sun-exposed trail will clear rapidly in the next few days.

The Peak Trail has thin but continuous snow cover from Wellman Divide to San Jacinto Peak. The least sun-exposed section at 9900-10,100 ft has also drifted the most, and locally depths are 8-10 inches, but snow is very firm with a well-defined track to follow. At this time almost all hiker traffic has remained on the route of the upper trail, and the few tracks on the East Ridge Trail route are not very apparent due to the firmness of the snow.

Deer Springs Trail is functionally clear of snow to Strawberry Junction. Snow is very thin and increasingly patchy from there to about 8500 ft (just south of the Marion Mountain Trail junction), but then largely continuous thereafter through to San Jacinto Peak. Snow will become increasingly patchy next week both above and below Little Round Valley, but due to differential drifting and sun exposure, snow will remain several inches deep in most of Little Round Valley for the next week or so. Hikers will find spikes are useful on the upper trail, especially for descending from the Peak to below Little Round Valley.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation this year. It is now read by over 30,000 people per year, and will pass one million views in 2026. The Report has helped thousands of hikers and saved multiple lives, both directly and indirectly. Since the Report became established online, snow/ice rescues in the San Jacinto Mountains have declined 82%, saving Riverside County tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars. While all time is volunteered, the Report uses private donations to help cover operating costs, keeping the Report available to all, free from paywalls or advertising, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this Donate page link. Thank you very much for your support.

The sixth storm system of winter 2025/26 to impact the San Jacinto mountains was impressive for both its rain generation, and for its remarkably high freeze level. This combination brought heavy rain – which froze above about 9300 ft – all the way to San Jacinto Peak, but (sadly) minimal fresh snow.

Rainfall began around 0700 on 31st December at both mid and upper elevations, continuing with remarkable persistence until the morning of 2nd January (0500 in Idyllwild, 0700 at 9000 ft). Across the roughly 48 hour period, Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) received 2.98 inches of rain, with Wellman’s Cienega (9300 ft) recording a prodigious 5.2 inches.

Snowfall immediately around San Jacinto Peak was a mere two inches, heavily admixed with freezing rain, sleet, and remnant snow from November and December storms, with just one inch at 10,500 ft, and a dusting as low as 9900 ft.

I recorded a rather lengthy video report from San Jacinto Peak in superb conditions at 0830 on Friday 2nd January (linked here, discussion of trail/ice conditions between minutes 4-5). Icy snow is essentially continuous above 9800 ft, and was so hard and icy that conditions are optimal for spikes. This will change rapidly on sun-exposed areas during the day, but the upper elevations will refreeze overnight, getting icy again every morning. Crampons could be used above about 10,000 ft, but are frankly more than is needed at this time. Snow depth and condition are unsuitable for snowshoes.

Contrary to normal winter reporting, snow depths are not given at the foot of this posting. Rain has largely eliminated all snow from trails below 9800 ft (with the notable exception of uppermost Deer Springs Trail and the north side of Tahquitz Peak). Generally, trails below that elevation are largely or completely clear of snow (but may retain some ice). Snow depth above 10,000 ft is currently 2-5 inches, with deeper drifts in places.

High country temperatures are forecast to be generally around seasonal into mid January. Consequently, hikers must be prepared for air temperatures below freezing above 10,000 ft elevation and well below freezing when considering wind chill effects. See the Weather section below for my recent observations from San Jacinto Peak.

The conditions forecast for 3rd-4th January may be similar to those earlier this winter which resulted in multiple significant hypothermia cases in the San Jacinto high country. Hikers – most notably those from the Tramway where such conditions are less anticipated – may be ascending through rain, before encountering snowfall, stronger winds, and frigid windchills at the highest elevations. Being fully prepared for the challenging combination of both winter conditions and wet weather can be critical (at a minimum, having fully wind- and waterproof clothing, plus multiple dry layers, hats, and gloves stored in a truly waterproof pack system, is very strongly advised). A clear recognition of when turning around is the safest option in such conditions is also invaluable.

South Ridge Road (5S11) closed on Saturday 3rd January having been partially blocked by a boulder about 0.5 mile up following recent heavy rains (photo below).

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (but even more frequently during winter storm weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Conditions remain very unsettled, especially at mid elevations, until at least 8th January. Consequently, temperatures remain generally below seasonal, especially at mid elevations, until next weekend.

Light rain is forecast from late on Saturday 3rd to early on Monday 5th January. This system will be colder than most recent ones, with a freeze level near 8000 ft, but with little precipitation forecast (<1 inch rain at mid elevations, 1-2 inches of snow >9000 ft), the impacts will be limited.

The “blocking” high pressure area returns to Southern California later this week, with temperatures moving back above seasonal the following week, with, predictably, no further precipitation in the forecasts thereafter.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Friday 2nd January 2026 at 0830 the air temperature was 32.4°F (0°C), with a windchill temperature of 18.7°F (-7°C), 34% relative humidity, and a cool due West wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 17.0 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 31st December 2025 at 1100 the air temperature was 33.8°F (1°C),with a windchill temperature of 17.1°F (-8°C), 79% relative humidity, and a sharp SSE wind sustained at 22 mph gusting to 30.8 mph.

At the Peak on Saturday 27th December 2025 at 0730 the air temperature was 15.2°F (-9°C), with a windchill temperature of -7.4°F (-22°C), 100% relative humidity, and a bitter NW wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 28.2 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails below about 9,800 ft (east side) or 9500 ft (west side) are generally snow-free, but may be icy to lower elevations in early to mid mornings.

Carrying spikes remains advisable everywhere above about 9000 ft. Sections of ice and icy snow that remained from November are now largely obscured under very thin fresh snow cover (>9900 ft), or ice from frozen rain, making them especially treacherous. This is especially true on the Peak Trail above 10,100 ft, and on upper Deer Springs Trail (>9500 ft). Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they do not seem necessary for ascending.

Snow depths are generally unsuitable for snowshoeing everywhere due to limited snow depths and compaction/ice.

Remarkably, the section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [updated 3rd January] is largely clear of icy snow, having been melted by rainfall in recent days (photo below). Some hikers may find spikes useful for short sections.

South Ridge Trail [updated 3rd January] south of the peak is clear of snow and ice to Tahquitz Peak.

The Wellman Trail is almost entirely clear of icy snow, other than a handful of patches in the sheltered areas at its southern end.

The Peak Trail has an obvious track through very thin continuous snow cover that accurately follows the trail route to the Summit Junction with Deer Springs Trail, and then onward up to San Jacinto Peak. The snow is extremely icy in mornings and in areas that are not sun-exposed. Spikes recommended.

Upper Deer Springs Trail does not have a track to follow through continuous icy snow above Little Round Valley as of Friday 2nd. The existing tracks have been largely obscured by a mixture of melting, rain, and icy fresh snow. Spikes are strongly recommended for this route.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation this year. It is now read by over 30,000 people per year, and will pass one million views in 2026. The Report has helped thousands of hikers and saved multiple lives, both directly and indirectly. Since the Report became established online, snow/ice rescues in the San Jacinto Mountains have declined 82%, saving Riverside County tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars. While all time is volunteered, the Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Donations keep the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

UPDATE Friday 2nd January 2026: it continued to drizzle up to 9000 ft until early this morning. San Jacinto Peak added two inches of snow, but it is embedded in a thick ice layer of freezing rain.

I recorded a video report from the Peak early this morning (linked here) discussing the weather and current conditions.

Spikes are strongly recommended everywhere above about 9000 ft due to heavy icing of all surfaces at this time.

Rainfall was prodigious, with about 5.4 inches at Wellman’s Cienega (9300 ft) in the past 48 hours.

UPDATE Thursday 1st January 2026 at 1745: steady rain overnight and almost all day is finally slowing (almost to a stop at mid elevations). Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) received 1.47 inches in the 24 hours up to 0700 this morning, and another 1.37 inches in the subsequent ten hours, for an impressive storm total of 2.84 inches. Long Valley (8500 ft) recorded 1.63 inches in the 24 hours to midnight last night, with an additional 0.45 inch today. The freeze level remained above 10,000 ft all morning, finally dropping this afternoon closer to 9000 ft (but after the bulk of the precipitation had passed).

UPDATE Wednesday 31st December 2025: I spent most of the day in the high country, as my morning hike turned into substantial involvement in a hiker rescue from San Jacinto Peak. The good news is that all has ended well, but this update was of course delayed. Rain started this morning at 0700, but did not turn heavy at mid elevations until 1500. Above 9000 ft, the rain was heavy for much of the day, with Wellman’s Cienega recording 0.4 inch in just four hours from 0900-1300. Rain in Idyllwild totaled 0.83 inch from 0700-1900 today. The system is very mild, as expected, with rain as high as San Jacinto Peak this morning before turning to intermittent snow and sleet at about 1115, but only above 10,500 ft. Trails that had snow and/or ice remaining from last week (or even November) have fast become an ugly mix of softening snow, watery ice, and, increasingly, slush. Fully waterproof gear, including footwear, is critical for the next 36 hours, in addition to gear for genuine winter conditions. Rain is forecast to persist all night until late tomorrow afternoon, at least to 10,000 ft, with just a few inches of snow expected above that elevation.

UPDATE Tuesday 30th December 2025: an extremely mild winter storm arrives tomorrow morning, bringing steady rain all day on Wednesday and Thursday (totaling about two inches at Idyllwild elevation). The forecast freeze level is remarkably high, not dropping below 10,000 ft, above which 6-8 inches of snow are tentatively forecast, with perhaps a dusting down to 9000 ft. After a hiatus on Friday 2nd January, most of the first half of January remains unsettled, with precipitation possible on many days, and a more typical freeze level – especially in the second week of the month – perhaps eventually bringing snow down to mid elevations.

UPDATE Monday 29th December 2025: in a 180° change in the weather – literally, in terms of the wind direction – strong Santa Ana winds are impacting the mountains today. I recorded a north-easterly wind gust of 43.8 mph at Tahquitz Peak early this morning, but more impressive was the sustained speed at 30 mph, with the wind seemingly strengthening further after we left the peak. Although the direction remains the same, the wind speeds are forecast to drop substantially tomorrow, Tuesday 30th, with rain forecast for the following day.

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This update summarizes conditions following the fifth storm system of winter 2025/26 – a major atmospheric river across most of California – that recently impacted the San Jacinto mountains on 23rd-26th December. This update is intentionally brief as (a) very limited snowfall has resulted in generally benign trail conditions, and (b) another very warm storm system starting 31st December expected to bring widespread rain to at least 10,000 ft elevation and lasting into the first few days of January will change conditions significantly once again.

Despite reports of dramatic weather only a short distance to our west, the latest storm greatly underperformed forecasts in the San Jacinto mountains. Across three different days of precipitation, total snow accumulation at San Jacinto Peak was 7.5 inches, with 2.01 inches of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft).

Other than at the end of the storm system on 26th, the bulk of the storm was very mild, and rather than adding snow, rainfall as high as 10,000 ft actually contributed to removing much of the already rather limited snow that remained from November storms. When the freeze level finally dropped, even snowfall on 26th was generally less than 0.5 inch fell below 8500ft, with only an inch to 9900 ft, so impacts on the trails have been very limited.

I recorded a short video discussion from San Jacinto Peak on the morning of Saturday 27th December, giving a feel for the snow conditions underfoot at the highest elevations (linked here). I maintained day-by-day postings on the progress of the multiday storm system available here.

Details are given below under Trail Conditions, but carrying spikes remains advisable everywhere above about 9000 ft, and they can be useful down to 8000 ft in places. Sections of ice and icy snow that remained from November are now largely obscured under thin fresh snow cover, making them especially treacherous. This is especially true on the Peak Trail between 9700-10,100 ft, and on upper Deer Springs Trail (9000-10,500 ft). Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they do not seem necessary for ascending.

Snow depths are not currently suitable for snowshoes, except perhaps for off-trail travel around the highest peaks (>10,000 ft), but even then only for the next couple of days as melting is expected to be steady with rising temperatures this week.

Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given towards the end of this posting. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or ease) of hiking a particular track or trail. For example a firm, well-compacted track across snow feet deep is often much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of angled virgin icy snow.

High country temperatures are forecast to remain near or above seasonal for the first ten days of January 2026. Nevertheless, hikers should be prepared for temperatures near or below freezing in the high country (>9800 ft elevation) and at times well below freezing when considering wind chill effects. See the Weather section below for my recent observations from San Jacinto Peak.

The conditions forecast for 31st December-4th January are similar to those on 15th November which resulted in multiple significant hypothermia cases in the San Jacinto high country, and with which I was heavily involved as I alluded in a prior report linked here. Hikers – most notably those from the Tramway where such conditions are less anticipated – may be ascending through rain, before encountering snowfall, stronger winds, and frigid windchills at the highest elevations. Being fully prepared for the challenging combination of both winter conditions and wet weather will be critical (at a minimum, having fully wind- and waterproof clothing, plus multiple dry layers, hats, and gloves stored in a truly waterproof pack system, is very strongly advised). A clear recognition of when turning around is the safest option in such conditions is also invaluable.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (but almost daily during winter storm weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures rise steadily in the last few days of December, with widespread melting of the very thin snow expected. They will remain somewhat above seasonal in the first week of January, especially at upper elevations, even as a new storm system arrives.

The first five days of January 2026 are forecast to be very unsettled, especially at mid elevations. About two inches of rain are expected at Idyllwild elevation (5000-6000 ft) between the afternoon of Wednesday 31st December and Monday 5th January, heaviest on 31st December and 1st January. The system is expected to be even warmer than that of 23rd-24th December, with freeze levels consistently near or even above 10,000 ft. Snowfall around the highest peaks is tentatively forecast to be several inches spread across the five days, mostly falling on 31st and 1st, with little more than a dusting expected down to 8000 ft, and only roughly 1-3 inches in between, following significant rainfall to 10,500 ft or higher.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Saturday 27th December 2025 at 0730 the air temperature was 15.2°F (-9°C), with a windchill temperature of -7.4°F (-22°C), 100% relative humidity, and a bitter NW wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 28.2 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 26th November 2025 at 1330 the air temperature was 28.4°F (-2°C), with a windchill temperature of 13.4°F (-10°C), 98% relative humidity, and a surprisingly gentle SW wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 6.5 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 25th December 2025 at 0645 the air temperature was 20.6°F (-6°C), with a windchill temperature of -0.2°F (-18°C), 98% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 15 mph gusting to 27.0 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 24th November 2025 at 1045 the air temperature was 32.3°F (0°C), with a windchill temperature of 15.6°F (-9°C), 96% relative humidity, and a harsh SSW wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 28.9 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails below about 9,900 ft (east side) or 9000 ft (west side) have such a thin covering of snow that they are functionally snow-free, or will largely clear of snow within the next day or two. With sunny days forecast on 28th-31st December in the high country, melting will be rapid, especially on sun-exposed slopes.

Spikes can be useful in places above about 8000 ft, but especially above 9000 ft, depending upon personal preference and comfort level hiking on icy snow. Snow on established trails from storms in November has become densely compacted by hiker traffic, has undergone many freeze-thaw cycles, and has recently been rained upon. Spikes are especially useful for descending heavily traveled high elevation trails (e.g., Peak and upper Deer Springs trails), and also the north side of Tahquitz Peak, which remained largely unmelted from November storms.

Snow depths are generally unsuitable for snowshoeing everywhere due to limited snow depths and compaction/ice.

Devil’s Slide Trail is clear of snow, but is very icy in places close to Saddle Junction in the mornings.

The section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [updated 29th December] currently has a well-traveled, uneven track to follow through increasingly patchy angled icy snow. A very thin covering of fresh snow partially obscures the persistent compacted icy snow remaining from November. These icy slopes on the north side of Tahquitz Peak are notoriously treacherous. Currently spikes are recommended; they are not essential for hikers most experienced with icy snow travel, but conversely this route will not feel safe for some hikers.

South Ridge Trail [updated 29th December] is functionally clear of snow, but has a few small but tricky ice patches above 8500 ft. There is a patchy dusting of 0.25 inch of snow admixed with ice around Tahquitz Peak. Most hikers may find spikes useful

As of Saturday 27th, there was a lightly-traveled track to follow through very shallow and rapidly melting snow on the Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183).

There are well-traveled and compacted tracks on Round Valley Trail through Long and Round valleys to Wellman Divide.

The PCT north from Saddle Junction, continuing onto the Wellman Trail, has a well-traveled track through very light snow cover to Wellman Divide [updated Saturday 27th]. Melting has been rapid on the most sun-exposed section immediately north of Saddle Junction (“Angel’s Glide”) with some lengthy snow-free sections already appearing.

The Peak Trail has a well-traveled track through generally thin continuous snow cover that accurately follows the trail route to the Summit Junction with Deer Springs Trail, and then onward up to San Jacinto Peak.

Upper Deer Springs Trail does not have a track to follow through continuous snow above Little Round Valley as of Saturday 27th. The existing tracks will have been completely obscured by fresh snow, which although shallow, was heavily drifted by strong accompanying winds. Spikes are strongly recommended for this route.

Fuller Ridge Trail [updated Saturday 27th] has a lightly traveled but accurate track to follow through very thin snow cover along its entire length (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5).

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 27th December 2025 are as follows. Current total depth is the first number given, followed (in parentheses) by details of the snowfall in the storm of 23rd-26th December. Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10811 ft): 10 inches, drifted deeper in places, notably on East Ridge (0.5 inch added 23rd, 3.5 inches on 24th, 3.5 inches on 26th December)

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 1 inch (1 inch on 26th December)

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9020 ft): 1 inch (1 inches on 26th December)

Long Valley (8500 ft): 1 inch (on 26th December)

Saddle Junction/approx. PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): <0.25 inch (on 26th December)

Devil’s Slide Trail at Humber Park (6500 ft): 0 inch

Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch snow, 1.99 inches rain 23rd-26th December.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. It is read by over 30,000 people each year, and will pass one million views in 2026. The Report has helped thousands of hikers, and saved multiple lives, both directly and indirectly. Since the Report became established online, snow/ice rescues in the San Jacinto Mountains have dropped 82%, also saving Riverside County tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars. While all time is volunteered, the Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Donations keep the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

The fifth storm system of winter 2025/26 is forecast to impact the San Jacinto mountains between Tuesday 23rd and Friday 26th December 2025.

Please check this page for periodic updates – the most recent is at the top – throughout the multiday storm sequence. The next comprehensive Report update, summarizing conditions after the storm, is tentatively scheduled for Saturday 27th.

UPDATE Saturday 27th December at 0700

Overnight snowfall at San Jacinto Peak totaled 3.5 inches, for a rather paltry storm total of 7.5 inches.

I recorded a short video discussion from the Peak at 0730 this morning, giving a feel for the snow conditions underfoot (linked here).

Snow dusted down to 7800 ft, with one inch at 8500 ft (e.g., Long Valley).

Rainfall in Idyllwild at 0700 totaled 0.82 inch in the previous 24 hours.

Hikers this weekend will find spikes invaluable above 9000 ft, as there is extensive ice and icy snow on the main trails now obscured under a thin cover of fresh powder. Snow depths are insufficient for snowshoes, other than perhaps for off-trail travel only around the highest peaks, snd even then only for the next day or two as melting will be steady with warming temperatures.

UPDATE Friday 26th December at 2010

Fine granular snow has so far accumulated to two inches average depth in the past six hours at San Jacinto Peak, although the snow has been heaviest in the past hour.

A light dusting (<0.25 inch) in Long Valley at 8500 ft shortly before dusk melted, it then briefly rained at that elevation before recently turning to snow, with currently 0.5 inch accumulation.

Rainfall this afternoon in Idyllwild totaled 0.47 inch by 1900 (at 5550 ft), where it continues to rain gently.

UPDATE Friday 26th December at 1430

It started raining in Idyllwild at 1350 this afternoon, and about 15 minutes later started snowing lightly and intermittently at San Jacinto Peak. Forecasts have reduced expected precipitation amounts for this final phase of the storm system, with 3-4 inches of snow predicted for the high peaks, and under 0.5 inch rain for Idyllwild. Very light snow is expected as low as 6000 ft.

The Peak Trail is very icy starting immediately above Wellman Divide (9700 ft) and spikes are strongly recommended. The same is almost certainly true on upper Deer Springs Trail (there probably as low as 9000 ft).

UPDATE Thursday 25th December at 1200

There was no further precipitation overnight. I recorded a short video report from San Jacinto Peak this morning just after sunrise (linked here). With clearing skies, a sharp drop in temperatures, and such wet snow yesterday, the snow above 10,000 ft has frozen solid, making for very easy hiking (with spikes and/or appropriate boots).

The next low pressure system arrives tomorrow morning, Friday 26th, and a colder air mass should result in the snow level dropping to 6000 ft, possibly even lower. Snow estimates are about six inches above 10,000 ft and 2-4 inches at 8000 ft (e.g., Saddle and Strawberry junctions). Rainfall of 0.5-0.8 inch is forecast for the mid elevations.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

UPDATE Wednesday 24th December at 1915

It stopped snowing at San Jacinto Peak at about 1800, where unfortunately only 3.5 inches accumulated today.

The snow level today was astonishingly high, having dusted down to 9000 ft, but with no more than a barely measurable 0.25 inch at Wellman Divide. On his descent to the tram, Kyle Eubanks described Round and Long valleys as having “many rivers and waterfalls”, such was the volume of rainfall (plus snowmelt).

Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) recorded 0.76 inch of rain today, for a storm total of 1.17 inches, less than half the forecast expectations.

UPDATE Wednesday 24th December at 1630

Snowfall has been largely continuous at San Jacinto Peak for the past four hours, but often light, so far accumulating to 2.5 inches. Winds have been sustained at 25-30 mph, with gusts close to 40 mph, but it feels like the strongest winds and heaviest precipitation have slipped past to the west of the San Jacinto mountains.

Rainfall in Idyllwild since 0700 today has totaled 0.45 inch, for a storm total of 0.86 inch so far, roughly half of forecast.

That said, rain intensity is clearly localized, as Long Valley (8500 ft) is reporting 1.4 inches since midnight. I saw Kyle Eubanks at the Peak this afternoon and he commented that trails in Long and Round valleys were “like rivers”, so the relatively low rainfall for Idyllwild is evidently not representative of the whole mountain.

UPDATE Wednesday 24th December at 1200

Precipitation largely stopped at mid and upper elevations between 0700-1000, with light rain starting again above 10,000 ft at about 0950, finally turning to snow at 1150 around San Jacinto Peak. Winds are getting potent in the high country, sustained from SSW at 20 mph, gusting to 29 mph, but forecast to continue strengthening.

UPDATE Wednesday 24th December at 0620

At least in the San Jacinto mountains the initial front of the atmospheric river system is so mild (relatively speaking) that it is currently raining all the way to San Jacinto Peak.

Patchy, and at times intense, rain started in Idyllwild at 0200, with rain accumulation overnight 0.26 inch in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft), for a current storm total of 0.41 inch, with 0.22 reported in Long Valley (8500 ft).

UPDATE Tuesday 23rd December at 1700

One “arm” of the dramatic low pressure system forming off the California coast passed over the San Jacinto mountains around 1130 this morning, bringing light precipitation throughout. The temperature plunged more than 10°F in less than half-an-hour in the high country, and it briefly snowed above 8000 ft (with 0.5 inch briefly accumulating above 10,000 ft, and barely a dusting in Long Valley), and about 0.02 inch of drizzle in Idyllwild. The temperature rose again subsequently, largely melting the minimal fresh snow. It remained misty and drizzly throughout the early afternoon, totaling 0.15 inch in Idyllwild, before beautifully clearing out at dusk.

The major blocking high pressure area over the south-west of the country continued to generate very warm and dry conditions for our region for most of the first three weeks of December. A significant atmospheric river system is forecast to impact Southern California on 23rd-26th December. While precipitation volumes and timing remain somewhat uncertain for the San Jacinto mountains, the bulk of the system will be relatively mild, with a high freeze level, and snowfall largely above about 9000 ft, before the freeze level drops, with snow possibly as low as 6500 ft, by late on 26th. Considerable rainfall (2.5-3.5 inches across four days) is expected throughout mid elevations. Unsettled conditions, with possibilities for further light precipitation (snow in the high country, rain at mid elevations) may persist for the last three days of the year and the first three days of January.

Since the minor snow storms that impacted the region for nine days in mid November – discussed in detail in a prior Report linked here – temperatures generally well above seasonal have led to very rapid snow melt for the time of year (photos below).

The air temperature of 52.2°F (11°C) that I recorded at San Jacinto Peak on Thursday 11th December 2025 shattered (by 3°F) the previous high temperature knowingly recorded at the Peak in the month of December.

Once temperatures drop markedly from 23rd December onwards, hikers must be prepared for temperatures below freezing at high elevations, and potentially far below freezing when considering wind chill effects, with strong winds (>30 mph) forecast on many days. See the Weather section below for my recent observations from San Jacinto Peak.

The conditions forecast for 24th-25th December are similar to those on 15th November which resulted in multiple significant hypothermia cases in the San Jacinto high country (the overlap with a holiday period adding a further complication) to which I briefly alluded in a prior report linked here. Hikers – most notably those from the Tramway where such conditions are rarely anticipated – may be ascending through rain, before encountering snow, strong winds, and frigid windchills at the highest elevations. Being fully prepared for the challenging combination of both genuine winter conditions and very wet weather will be critical (at a minimum, having fully wind- and waterproof clothing, plus multiple dry layers, hats, and gloves stored in a truly waterproof pack system, is very strongly advised). A clear recognition of when turning around is the safest option in such conditions is also invaluable.

Details are given below under Trail Conditions, but most hikers will find that carrying spikes remains advisable in areas above about 9000 ft, although experienced hikers will find they are generally no longer needed on established trails even well above that elevation. Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they seem to be of limited use for ascending.

Current snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given near the foot of this posting. Note that these are expected to change starting Wednesday 24th. Also note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or ease) of hiking a particular track or trail. For example a firm, well-compacted track across snow feet deep is often much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of, for example, angled virgin icy snow. Conversely, just a one inch covering of icy snow at mid-elevations (where there have been many freeze-thaw cycles) can be among the most treacherous surfaces to hike.

Black Mountain Road (4S01) closed to vehicle traffic in mid November at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Despite being clear of snow for most of December it is now expected to remain closed for the winter season, per Forest Service.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice every week (and even more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures have generally been well above seasonal since the last week of November (with the brief exception of 1st-4th December). They are forecast to remain far above seasonal until 22nd December, after which the current “blocking” high pressure system is forecast to move east, allowing a storm system flow to return (perhaps only briefly) to Southern California.

Significant rainfall is expected at mid elevations, with about three inches of rain forecast between 23rd and 26th December at 5000-6000 ft. Rainfall will be heaviest and probably continuous on Wednesday 24th, but lighter and more intermittent on 25th-26th.

Snowfall predictions for the high country have varied significantly, but most recent forecast models suggest 12-20 inches of snow are possible around the highest peaks of the San Jacinto mountains, largely on Wednesday 24th but continuing into the 25th. Regardless of precise snow volumes, the system is expected to be relatively warm, at least initially, with freeze levels largely remaining above 8000 ft, and hence little (or possibly even no) snowfall expected at mid elevations. It is most likely that any snowfall in the mid elevations will accumulate as the coldest part of the storm system moves through late on Friday 26th, when 1-2 inches are possible at the higher elevations of Pine Cove and Fern Valley.

Further waves of unsettled weather are tentatively forecast almost daily between 29th December and 3rd January, with light rainfall (mid elevations) and very light snowfall (highest elevations) possible on some or even all of those days. Currently the timing and volume of precipitation on those days is uncertain, but will become clearer over the course of the next week.

The second, third, and fourth storm systems of winter 2025/26 all impacted the San Jacinto mountains in quick succession, on 14th-16th, 17th-18th, and 20th-22nd November, respectively. All three storms were relatively mild, with high freeze levels and very limited snow below 7000 ft. The storm sequence and precipitation outcomes were described in detail in an earlier Report (linked here).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Monday 22nd December 2025 at 0845 the air temperature was 39.9°F (4°C), with a windchill temperature of 27.5°F (-2°C), 26% relative humidity, and a stiffening SW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 20.3 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 18th December 2025 at 0840 the air temperature was 44.3°F (7°C), with a windchill temperature of 34.5°F (1°C), 44% relative humidity, and a fresh NW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 15.6 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 15th December 2025 at 0830 the air temperature was 40.4°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 34.5°F (1°C), 22% relative humidity, and a very light due North wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 5.5 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 11th December 2025 at 0830 the air temperature was 52.2°F (11°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 48.4°F (9°C), 15% relative humidity, and a barely discernable SE wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 3.5 mph. This is the first time I have ever recorded an air temperature exceeding 50°F in December at the Peak, and this is undoubtedly a record high for the month at that location.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails above about 9500 ft remain largely snow-covered (details below), especially on the less-exposed western slope trails. With above seasonal temperatures almost continuously since 24th November, melting has been unusually rapid for the time of year, especially on sun-exposed slopes. This melting will continue with warm temperatures forecast to persist until 22nd December.

Spikes can be useful above about 9000 ft, locally as low as 8500 ft, as established trails have become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergone freeze-thaw cycles. They are especially useful for descending parts of heavily traveled tracks where the snow persists (most notably uppermost Deer Springs Trail). Snow depth and condition is no longer suitable for snowshoes, even for off-trail travel at the highest elevations.

Devil’s Slide Trail [updated 22nd December] is now clear of icy snow. A few tiny, persistent, icy snow patches remain above 7700 ft, but most are so dirt-covered at this time that underfoot traction is rarely a concern. Spikes are no longer required.

There is a well-traveled, compacted track on the PCT south from Saddle Junction to Chinquapin Flat/PCT Mile 178 [updated 18th December]. Snow cover has dropped markedly this week, to about 40%.

The section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [updated 20th December] has a very well-traveled track to follow through increasingly patchy angled icy snow. These icy slopes on the north side of Tahquitz Peak are notoriously treacherous, and see so little direct sunlight in December and January that conditions change slowly at this time of year. That said, some cleared patches have appeared this week, especially at the Chinquapin Flat (northern) end. Spikes are recommended for most hikers, but even then parts of the route may not be comfortable for all (photo above).

South Ridge Trail south of Tahquitz Peak [updated 20th December] is now clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak, with a few tiny icy patches remaining above 8500 ft (switchback 9).

The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183) is functionally clear of snow, other than patches that persist for 0.1 mile at its eastern end, and in a handful of forested sections nearer Strawberry Junction.

Willow Creek Trail [updated 18th December] averages less than 10% thin snow cover to Hidden Divide.

There are well-traveled and compacted tracks on Round Valley Trail through Long and Round valleys to Wellman Divide, and on the “Sid Davis” route, the latter emerging at the Peak Trail near 10,000 ft [updated 15th December]. Both routes are starting to have extensive bare patches appear in their most exposed sections.

The PCT north from Saddle Junction [updated 22nd December] is now clear of snow to 9000 ft elevation, with just a few small icy snow patches persisting on this very sun-exposed south-facing slope. From 9000 ft, where the trail enters forest, to Annie’s Junction, has cleared dramatically in the past few days, and now averages only 10% snow cover. Most hikers will find spikes are not required.

The Wellman Trail [updated 22nd December] averages less than 10% snow cover, concentrated in the forested section at its southern end (closest to Annie’s Junction). Spikes are not required.

The Peak Trail [updated 22nd December] has a rapidly diminishing 30% cover of softening and generally thin snow, largely confined to the sheltered section around 10,000 ft, and then above 10,400 ft. There is a split in hiker traffic – as is traditional in winter – near Miller Peak at 10,400 ft. The East Ridge route is a somewhat meandering (but well-compacted) route through 90% continuous snow cover to San Jacinto Peak. The Peak Trail itself above 10,400 ft now has a heavily-traveled track to follow through 80% snow cover. Trails just below San Jacinto Peak proper have largely consolidated into 3-4 alternate routes, all of which ultimately reach the peak. Spikes are no longer essential on this trail for those with extensive experience of snow hiking. Snow cover on the exposed south- and east-facing slopes around San Jacinto Peak is now only 30%, and averages just 1-2 inches in most places, with drifts to 10 inches.

Deer Springs Trail [updated 15th December] is clear of snow to 8500 ft (just 0.4 mile south of the Marion Mountain Trail junction). Although snow cover still averages about 90% thereafter all the way to San Jacinto Peak, lengthy bare patches are starting to appear even as high as 10,500 ft in the most sun-exposed areas, and these will expand steadily over the next week. After the Marion junction, the track is well-traveled and compacted to Little Round Valley, almost entirely following the trail route accurately (spikes useful for descending). Above Little Round Valley there are myriad posthole track options, but the most heavily traveled now almost entirely follows the actual trail route. The other, more direct tracks, are now harder to follow as they encounter rocks and vegetation in the rapidly expanding snow-free areas.

Marion Mountain Trail [updated 15th December] is now largely clear of snow to the junction with the PCT/Deer Springs Trail. Nevertheless, two sections of persistent icy snow sections remain, one for about 0.4 mile in the central (most sheltered) portion of the trail, and the other the final 0.1 mile closest to the PCT. Some hikers will find that spikes remain very useful, especially for descending, as some of the icy snow patches are treacherous. The Trail Report removed one new blowdown from the lower trail on 9th, but there is another significant one about 0.7 mile from the top (with a fairly easy workaround).

Seven Pines Trail [updated 15th December] has no tracks to follow through the patchy snow on its uppermost section.

Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5) [updated 15th December] has a lightly traveled but accurate posthole track to follow through the remaining 20% snow cover in its most sheltered sections. Sun-exposed areas (notably Miles 186-186.6 and 187.5-188.5) and those closest to Black Mountain Road (north from Mile 189.5) are now clear of snow.

Black Mountain Trail (2E35) was functionally clear of snow by 3rd December, with just a few tiny icy snow patches near the top. Four medium-sized treefall hazards include three within 0.1 mile of one another about 1.5 miles up from the trailhead, plus another just below the top of the trail, but all have easy workarounds. The climbers trail section that continues from the top of the trail to the fire lookout still has about 20% icy snow cover, as does the uppermost access road to the tower.

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 22nd December 2025 (most locations) and 15th December (Deer Springs Trail) are as follows. Current total depth is the first number given, followed (in parentheses) by the total measured in November following the most recent storms. Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10811 ft): 0-3 inches (was 17 inches on 24th November)

Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 4-5 inches (was 15-18 inches in late November)

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0 inch (was 11 inches on 24th November)

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9020 ft): 0 inch (was 12 inches on 24th November)

Fuller Ridge Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail/PCT Mile 185.5 (8900 ft): 2-3 inches (was 10-12 inches in late November)

Long Valley (8500 ft): 0-1 inch (was 8 inches on 24th November)

Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 0 inch (was 8 inches on 24th November)

Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8050 ft): 0 inches (was 6 inches in late November)

Devil’s Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch by 24th November.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

A major blocking high pressure system just west of California will continue to generate warm, relatively calm, and extremely dry conditions for our region into the second half of December. There are tentative forecasts suggesting the jet stream may return to Southern California late in December, around 22nd-26th. Three minor snow storms impacted the San Jacinto mountains in nine days in mid November, as discussed in detail in a prior Report (linked here). Since then, temperatures generally well above seasonal have led to rapid snow melt (for the time of year, given the Sun is at its weakest of the year).

The air temperature of 52.2°F (11°C) that I recorded at San Jacinto Peak on Thursday 11th December 2025 shattered (by 3°F) the previous high temperature knowingly recorded at the Peak in the month of December. Forecasts suggest that the new record could even be exceeded again early next week.

Details are given below under Trail Conditions, but most hikers will find that spikes remain useful in many areas above about 9000 ft, although experienced hikers may find they are no longer essential on established trails even well above that elevation. Despite rapid melting, challenging icy patches persist as low as 7700 ft, notably on Devil’s Slide and Marion Mountain trails. Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they seem unnecessary for ascending.

Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given near the foot of this posting. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or ease) of hiking a particular track or trail. For example a firm, well-compacted track across snow feet deep is often much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of, for example, angled virgin icy snow. Conversely, just a one inch covering of icy snow at mid-elevations (where there have been many freeze-thaw cycles) can be among the most treacherous surfaces to hike.

Temperatures are forecast to be far above seasonal into the second half of December. Nevertheless, it is (nominally) winter and hikers should be prepared for temperatures near freezing above 10,000 ft elevation, and periodically below freezing when considering wind chill effects. This advisory may be especially important after 20th December. See the Weather section below for my recent observations from San Jacinto Peak.

Black Mountain Road (4S01) closed to vehicle traffic in mid November at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Despite being clear of snow it is now expected to remain closed for the winter season, according to Forest Service.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, at least six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017 (I have personally encountered at least one annually for the past seven years). A full-sized adult bear with a right ear tag has been seen in multiple locations from Willow Creek to Fern Valley since August (see my video from a trail cam on 14th September available here, and images from Fern Valley in late August in a prior Report linked here). A smaller, second individual has been reliably reported at least twice, most recently in late September in lower Fern Valley. My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking past our house in 2018 (linked here) show two further individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails, but bear-safe storage of food when camping is recommended.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (much more frequently during stormy weather and in winter), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures were well above seasonal in the last week of November, and following a few days of cooler seasonal temperatures on 1st-4th, they again warmed to well above average starting Friday 5th. Temperatures are forecast to remain far above seasonal until 20th December, after which there is a possibility that the current “blocking” high pressure system moves away, allowing the jet stream flow to return to Southern California (although details of possible precipitation remain unclear at this time).

The second, third, and fourth storm systems of winter 2025/26 all impacted the San Jacinto mountains in quick succession, on 14th-16th, 17th-18th, and 20th-22nd November, respectively. All three storms were relatively mild, with high freeze levels and very limited snow below 7000 ft. The storm sequence and precipitation outcomes were described in detail in an earlier Report (linked here).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Thursday 11th December 2025 at 0830 the air temperature was 52.2°F (11°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 48.4°F (9°C), 15% relative humidity, and a barely discernable SE wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 3.5 mph. This is the first time I have ever recorded an air temperature exceeding 50°F in December at the Peak, and this is undoubtedly a record high for the month at that location.

At the Peak on Tuesday 9th December 2025 at 0750 the air temperature was 40.5°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 29.5°F (-1°C), 16% relative humidity, and a persistent NNE wind sustained at 15 mph gusting to 21.6 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 8th December 2025 at 0820 the air temperature was 37.2°F (3°C), with a windchill temperature of 28.0°F (-2°C), 31% relative humidity, and a light NNW wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 10.5 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 4th December 2025 at 0840 the air temperature was 24.5°F (-4°C), with a windchill temperature of 8.2°F (-13°C), 13% relative humidity, and a remarkably steady NE wind sustained at 15 mph gusting to 17.7 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

All trails above about 8500 ft remain largely snow-covered (details below), although the frequency and extent of snow-free patches has increased rapidly this week. With above seasonal temperatures almost continuously since 24th November, melting has been unusually rapid for the time of year, especially on sun-exposed slopes. This melting will accelerate further with unusually warm temperatures forecast for the next week at least.

Spikes can be useful above about 9000 ft, locally as low as 7700 ft, as established trails have become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergone freeze-thaw cycles. They are especially useful for descending parts of heavily traveled tracks where the snow has become compacted and icy (e.g., Devil’s Slide, Wellman, Peak, Round Valley, Marion Mountain, and uppermost Deer Springs trails).

Snow depths are marginally suitable for snowshoes above about 9500 ft, but only for off-trail travel. They are no longer useful on established high country trails which are all now heavily compacted. Snow depths everywhere are dropping steadily, and snowshoes will be of little or no use, even off-trail, by mid December.

Devil’s Slide Trail [updated 11th December] is clear of icy snow to about 7700 ft. Above that elevation average ice cover is now only 20% to Saddle Junction. Nevertheless some of the small, persistent, icy snow patches are treacherous, especially those closest to Saddle Junction, and many hikers will continue to find traction devices are helpful on the uppermost trail, especially for descending.

There is a well-traveled, compacted track on the PCT south from Saddle Junction to Chinquapin Flat/PCT Mile 178 [updated 11th December]. Snow cover has dropped markedly this week, to about 80%.

The section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [updated 13th December] now has a well-traveled track to follow through the angled icy snow. These icy slopes on the north side of Tahquitz Peak are notoriously treacherous, and see no direct sunlight in December and January, so conditions change very slowly at this time of year. Spikes are recommended for most hikers, but even then the route will not be comfortable for all (photo below).

South Ridge Trail south of Tahquitz Peak [updated 13th December] is functionally clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak, with a limited number of small icy patches remaining mainly above 8500 ft (switchback 9). Most hikers will find spikes are no longer needed.

There is a lightly-traveled posthole track to follow through shallow and rapidly melting snow on the Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183). The bulk of this trail is very sun-exposed and snow cover now averages only 10% on this trail.

Willow Creek Trail [updated 11th December] has a lightly traveled track to follow through shallow and patchy snow to Skunk Cabbage Meadow. Thereafter the trail is largely clear of snow to Hidden Divide.

There are well-traveled and compacted tracks on Round Valley Trail through Long and Round valleys to Wellman Divide, and on the “Sid Davis” route, the latter emerging at the Peak Trail near 10,000 ft [updated 11th December]. Both routes are starting to have extensive bare patches appear in their most exposed sections.

The PCT north from Saddle Junction [updated 11th December] is now largely clear of snow to 9000 ft elevation, with just a few small icy snow patches persisting on this very sun-exposed south-facing slope. From 9000 ft, where the trail enters forest, there is a well-traveled, compacted, track through light snow cover (now about 90%) to Annie’s Junction and north onto the Wellman Trail.

The Wellman Trail [updated 11th December] averages only about 30% snow cover, concentrated in the most forested sections. The remaining, sun-exposed, areas are clearing rapidly.

The Peak Trail [updated 11th December] has a well-traveled, compacted, track through 90% snow cover that accurately follows the trail route. Several snow-free patches have appeared in the past few days, and these will expand considerably in the next week. There is a split in hiker traffic – as is traditional in winter – near Miller Peak at 10,400 ft, with two equally prominent tracks, one taking the East Ridge on a somewhat meandering (but well-compacted) route to San Jacinto Peak, and the Peak Trail itself above 10,400 ft now having a defined but often lumpy posthole track to follow (photo above). Trails just below San Jacinto Peak proper have largely consolidated into 3-4 alternate routes, all of which ultimately reach the peak. Most hikers are clearly using spikes on this trail, but they are no longer essential for those with extensive experience of snow hiking.

Deer Springs Trail [updated 9th December] is clear of snow to Strawberry Junction. Above Strawberry Junction snow cover has rapidly thinned and largely cleared to 8500 ft (just 0.5 miles south of the Marion Mountain Trail junction). Although snow cover averages 90% thereafter all the way to San Jacinto Peak, lengthy bare patches are starting to appear even as high as 9650 ft in the most sun-exposed areas, and these will expand steadily over the next week or two. Where snow remains between Strawberry Junction and the top of Marion Mountain Trail (approx. PCT Miles 183-185) there is only a moderately traveled posthole track but the snow is thin and easy underfoot. After the Marion junction, the track is well-traveled and compacted to Little Round Valley, almost entirely following the trail route accurately (spikes useful for descending). Above Little Round Valley there are myriad posthole track options, one of which largely follows the actual trail route, but it is rarely the most heavily traveled, most compacted, or indeed the best option, but eventually all the tracks seem to ultimately make their way up towards the Peak (example photo below).

Marion Mountain Trail [updated 9th December] is completely clear of snow to 7700 ft, a little above midway to the junction with the PCT/Deer Springs Trail. In the upper half of the trail snow cover now averages only 30%, but note that some of the persistent snow sections are lengthy and very icy. Spikes remain very useful, especially for descending, as some of the icy snow patches are treacherous. The Trail Report removed one new blowdown from the lower trail on 9th, but there is another significant one about 0.7 mile from the top (with a fairly easy workaround).

Seven Pines Trail [updated 9th December] has no tracks to follow through the snow on its upper section.

Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5) [updated 9th December] has a lightly traveled but accurate posthole track to follow through the remaining 30% snow cover in its most sheltered sections. Sun-exposed areas (notably Miles 186-186.6 and 187.5-188.5) and those closest to Black Mountain Road (north from Mile 189.5) are now functionally clear of snow.

Black Mountain Trail (2E35)[updated 3rd December 2025] is functionally clear of snow, with just a few tiny icy snow patches near the top. Four medium-sized treefall hazards include three within 0.1 mile of one another about 1.5 miles up from the trailhead, plus another just below the top of the trail, but all have easy workarounds. The climbers trail section that continues from the top of the trail to the fire lookout still has about 40% icy snow cover, as does the uppermost access road to the tower.

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 9th December (Deer Springs Trail locations) and 8th December 2025 (elsewhere) are as follows. Current total depth is the first number given, followed (in parentheses) by the total measured in November following the most recent storms. Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10811 ft): 7-8 inches (was 17 inches on 24th November)

Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 5-7 inches (was 15-18 inches in late November)

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 1-2 inches (was 11 inches on 24th November)

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9020 ft): 2 inches (was 12 inches on 24th November)

Fuller Ridge Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail/PCT Mile 185.5 (8900 ft): 5 inches (was 10-12 inches in late November)

Long Valley (8500 ft): 2-3 inches (was 8 inches on 24th November)

Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 0-2 inches (was 8 inches on 24th November)

Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8050 ft): 0 inches (was 6 inches in late November)

Devil’s Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch by 24th November.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

Three minor snow storms impacted the San Jacinto mountains in nine days in mid November, as discussed in detail in the previous Report (linked here). Since then, a week of above seasonal temperatures has led to relatively rapid melting (for the time of year). Although this week is cooling to about seasonal, further dry, warm, weather is expected to return and persist into mid December, with currently no significant additional precipitation in the forecasts.

Details are given below under Trail Conditions, but spikes remain valuable in many areas above about 8000 ft, although experienced hikers may find they are no longer essential on established trails even well above that elevation. Despite rapid melting, treacherous icy patches persist as low as 7700 ft, notably on Devil’s Slide and Marion Mountain trails. Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they are unnecessary for ascending. Snow depths are locally suitable for snowshoes above about 9500 ft, but generally only off-trail. They are no longer useful on established trails which are now heavily compacted (and hence ideal for spikes) such as Round Valley Trail, Peak Trail, Wellman Trail, and the posthole route on upper Deer Springs Trail.

Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given towards the end of this posting. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or ease) of hiking a particular track or trail. For example a firm, well-compacted track across snow feet deep is often much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of, for example, angled virgin icy snow. Conversely, just a one inch covering of icy snow at mid-elevations (where there have been many freeze-thaw cycles) can be the most treacherous surface to hike.

Temperatures are forecast to be generally above seasonal into mid December. Nevertheless, hikers should be prepared for temperatures near or below freezing above 10,000 ft elevation, and at times well below freezing when considering wind chill effects, the latter in particular during the passage of a cold front to the north on 3rd-4th December. See the Weather section below for my recent observations from San Jacinto Peak.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, at least six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017 (I have personally encountered at least one annually for the past seven years). A full-sized adult bear with a right ear tag has been seen in multiple locations from Willow Creek to Fern Valley since August (see my video from a trail cam on 14th September available here, and images from Fern Valley in late August in a prior Report linked here). A smaller, second individual has been reliably reported at least twice, most recently in late September in lower Fern Valley. My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking past our house in 2018 (linked here) show two further individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails, but bear-safe storage of food when camping is recommended.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (much more frequently during stormy weather and in winter), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures were well above seasonal in the last week of November, and following a few seasonal days on 1st-4th, will again be well above average starting Friday 5th, then potentially far above average on 8th-12th December. During the latter period, temperatures will be especially mild in the high country (more akin to early April than early December), and melting of snow is expected to be steady throughout, and rapid on sun-exposed slopes.

The second, third, and fourth storm systems of winter 2025/26 all impacted the San Jacinto mountains in quick succession, on 14th-16th, 17th-18th, and 20th-22nd November, respectively. All three storms were relatively mild, with high freeze levels and very limited snow below 7000 ft. The storm sequence and precipitation outcomes were described in detail in the previous Report (linked here).

All three storms underperformed their snow forecasts, but given the climate change crisis, any snow on the ground prior to December should probably be considered something of a bonus. Indeed, at 18.5 inches total snowfall at San Jacinto Peak by the end of November 2025, this winter is second only to 2019/20 in the past eight years for the most snowfall before 1st December (some may remember the spectacular Thanksgiving storm of 2019 that produced almost three feet of snow in three days in late November that year).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Thursday 4th December 2025 at 0840 the air temperature was 24.5°F (-4°C), with a windchill temperature of 8.2°F (-13°C), 13% relative humidity, and an exceptionally steady NE wind sustained at 15 mph gusting to 17.7 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 1st December 2025 at 0840 the air temperature was 30.6°F (-1°C), with a windchill temperature of 22.8°F (-5°C), 44% relative humidity, and a light NNE wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 5.8 mph.

At the Peak on Saturday 29th November 2025 at 0755 the air temperature was 36.1°F (2°C), with a windchill temperature of 24.4°F (-4°C), 31% relative humidity, and a benign WNW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 11.2 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 27th November 2025 at 0850 the air temperature was 41.6°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 35.2°F (2°C), 18% relative humidity, and a steady SE wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 7.9 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

All trails above about 8500 ft are largely – or above about 9500 ft completely – snow-covered. With above seasonal temperatures since 24th, melting has been unusually rapid, especially on sun-exposed slopes.

Spikes can be useful above about 8000 ft, locally somewhat lower, as established trails have become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergone freeze-thaw cycles. They are especially useful for descending heavily traveled tracks where the snow has become compacted and icy (e.g., Devil’s Slide, Wellman, Peak, Round Valley, and uppermost Deer Springs trails).

Snow depths are locally suitable for snowshoeing above 9500 ft, but only off-trail or when breaking trail on routes that have so far been largely untraveled. Snow depths are dropping steadily, and snowshoes will be of very limited use by the second week of December.

Devil’s Slide Trail [updated 4th December] is functionally clear of icy snow to about 7700 ft. Above that elevation, there is a heavily compacted and icy track to follow through increasingly patchy thin snow (average ice cover now only 30% to Saddle Junction). Some hikers will find that traction devices are helpful on the upper trail, especially for descending.

There is a well-traveled, compacted track on the PCT south from Saddle Junction to Chinquapin Flat/PCT Mile 178 [updated 4th December]. The track is somewhat less well traveled and requires some minor postholing about 0.3 mile from Chinquapin Flat.

The section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [updated 6th December] now has a well-traveled track to follow through the angled icy snow, with significant compaction over the holiday weekend in late November, plus minor melting. Some of the track remains covered by fallen ice. These icy slopes on the north side of Tahquitz Peak are notoriously treacherous. Spikes are recommended for most hikers, but even then the route will not be comfortable for all (photo below).

South Ridge Trail south of Tahquitz Peak [updated 6th December] is functionally clear of snow to 8500 ft (switchback 9) with just a couple of tiny icy patches below that elevation. Thereafter icy snow cover averages about 40% to Tahquitz Peak, but it is diminishing rapidly with coverage having halved in the past four days. Some hikers will find spikes useful for descending the upper trail.

As of Sunday 30th November, there is a simple posthole track to follow through shallow and rapidly melting snow on the Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183). The bulk of this trail is very sun-exposed and snow cover averages only 30% on this trail.

Willow Creek Trail [updated 1st December] has a lightly traveled track to follow through shallow and patchy snow, at least to Skunk Cabbage Meadow.

There are well-traveled and compacted tracks on Round Valley Trail through Long and Round valleys to Wellman Divide, and on the “Sid Davis” route, the latter emerging at the Peak Trail near 10,000 ft [updated 4th December].

The PCT north from Saddle Junction, continuing onto the Wellman Trail, has a well-traveled and increasingly compacted track through light snow cover to Wellman Divide [updated 1st December]. Melting has been rapid on the most sun-exposed section immediately north of Saddle Junction (“Angel’s Glide”) with some lengthy snow-free sections already appearing, and the first mile north of Saddle Junction now averages only 50% snow cover.

The Peak Trail [updated 4th December] has a well-traveled, compacted, posthole track through continuous snow cover that accurately follows the trail route to near Miller Peak at 10,400 ft. Thereafter there is a split in hiker traffic – as is traditional in winter – with two equally prominent tracks, one taking the East Ridge on a somewhat meandering route to San Jacinto Peak, and the Peak Trail itself above 10,400 ft now having a defined compacted track to follow. Trails just below San Jacinto Peak proper are starting to consolidate into less of a shambolic maze of alternate routes, but there has been some infilling with spindrift in strong winds on 3rd-4th December, reducing the visibility of some tracks, notably that on the East Ridge.

Deer Springs Trail [updated 4th December] is clear of snow to Strawberry Junction. Above Strawberry Junction snow cover has rapidly thinned and is increasingly patchy to 8500 ft (about 0.5 miles south of the Marion Mountain Trail junction). Although snow cover is functionally continuous thereafter all the way to San Jacinto Peak, small bare patches are starting to appear even as high as 9650 ft. There is only a moderately traveled posthole track between Strawberry Junction and the top of Marion Mountain Trail (approx. PCT Miles 183-185), but the snow is thin and easy underfoot. After the Marion junction, the track is well-traveled and compacted to Little Round Valley, almost entirely following the trail route accurately (spikes useful for descending). Above Little Round Valley there are multiple posthole track options, none of which consistently follow the actual trail route, most of which ascend steeply, some of which are more heavily traveled than others, but all of which seem to ultimately make their way up towards the Peak (example photo below).

Marion Mountain Trail [updated 4th December] is completely clear of snow to 7600 ft, roughly midway to the junction with the PCT/Deer Springs Trail. In the upper half of the trail snow cover averages 60%, with extensive bare patches in the most sun-exposed areas, but also some lengthy and very icy sections too. Spikes are very useful, especially for descending.

Seven Pines Trail [updated 4th December] has no tracks to follow through the snow on its upper section.

Fuller Ridge Trail [updated 4th December] has a lightly traveled but accurate posthole track to follow through light snow cover along its entire length (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5). Sun-exposed areas (notably Miles 187.5-188.5) and those closest to Black Mountain Road (Mile 190 north) are now largely clear of snow.

Black Mountain Trail (2E35)[updated 3rd December 2025] is functionally clear of snow, with just a few tiny icy snow patches near the top. Four medium-sized treefall hazards include three within 0.1 mile of one another about 1.5 miles up from the trailhead, plus another just below the top of the trail, but all have easy workarounds. The climbers trail section that continues from the top of the trail to the fire lookout still has about 40% icy snow cover, as does the uppermost access road to the tower.

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 1st December 2025 are as follows. Current total depth is the first number given, followed (in parentheses) by the total measured on 24th November following the most recent storms. Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10811 ft): 11-12 inches (17 inches on 24th November)

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 5 inches (was 11 inches on 24th)

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9020 ft): 10 inches (was 12 inches on 24th)

Long Valley (8500 ft): 3-4 inches (was 8 inches on 24th)

Saddle Junction/approx. PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 3-4 inches (was 8 inches on 24th)

Devil’s Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch by 24th November.

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Details are given below under Trail Conditions, but carrying spikes is now generally advisable everywhere above about 8000 ft. Despite rapid melting, treacherous icy patches persist as low as 7700 ft, notably on Devil’s Slide Trail. Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they do not seem necessary for ascending. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoes above about 9000 ft, but they are only of use on untraveled trails and off-trail. They are no longer useful on established trails which are now heavily compacted (and hence ideal for spikes) such as Round Valley Trail, Peak Trail, Wellman Trail, and the posthole route on upper Deer Springs Trail.

The second, third, and fourth storm systems of winter 2025/26 all recently impacted the San Jacinto mountains in quick succession, on 14th-16th, 17th-18th, and 20th-22nd November, respectively. More detail on each is given in the Weather section below.

All three storms underperformed their snow forecasts, but given the climate change crisis, any snow on the ground prior to December should probably be considered something of a bonus. Indeed, at 18.5 inches total snowfall at San Jacinto Peak by the end of November 2025, this winter is second only to 2019/20 in the past eight years for the most snowfall before 1st December (some may remember the spectacular Thanksgiving storm of 2019 that produced almost three feet of snow in three days in late November that year).

The most recent storm resulted in arguably the biggest weather forecasting error in the past decade in these mountains, when the first wave of the storm late on Friday 21st November produced only four inches of snow at San Jacinto Peak, in contrast to the 10-25 inches that was widely predicted. The situation was partially salvaged when the rotational movement of the system brought it back around on Saturday 22nd, this time coming in from easterly directions, with locations on the east slope, including the Peak, receiving 3-4 more inches. The easterly winds accompanying the rotation were strong and especially gusty, resulting in prodigious drifting.

Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given towards the end of this posting. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or ease) of hiking a particular track or trail. For example a firm, well-compacted track across snow feet deep is often much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of angled virgin icy snow.

Temperatures are now expected to be above seasonal into early December. Nevertheless, hikers should be prepared for temperatures near freezing above 10,000 ft elevation, and below freezing when considering wind chill effects, in particular around 4th and 7th-8th December. At this time, the next possible precipitation is tentatively forecast for 3rd-4th December. See the Weather section below for my recent observations from San Jacinto Peak.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, at least six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017 (I have personally encountered at least one annually for the past seven years). A full-sized adult bear with a right ear tag has been seen in multiple locations from Willow Creek to Fern Valley since August (see my video from a trail cam on 14th September available here, and images from Fern Valley in late August in a prior Report linked here). A smaller, second individual has been reliably reported at least twice, most recently in late September in lower Fern Valley. My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking past our house in 2018 (linked here) show two further individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails, but bear-safe storage of food when camping is recommended.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (much more frequently during stormy weather and in winter), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Three storm systems impacted the San Jacinto mountains in nine days from 14th-22nd November. All three storms were relatively mild, with high freeze levels and very limited snow below 7000 ft.

An “atmospheric river” on 14th-16th started extremely warm for the season, with a freeze level initially above 11,000 ft and rain throughout the highest peaks for the first day of the storm, before turning to snow early on Saturday 15th. Even then, the snow level remained high, with little more than a dusting below 7000 ft. This warmth of course limited snow at all elevations, with seven inches at San Jacinto Peak, down to three inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). Accumulated rainfall was impressive at mid elevations, with 2.70 inches in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft).

The system on 17th-18th was colder, with a freeze level dropping to 6000 ft. However this cooling happened largely after the passage of the main precipitation, so snowfall at mid elevations was extremely limited, with just one inch at Humber Park (6500 ft)(which lasted only hours before melting) and barely a dusting below that. Fresh snowfall in the high country was more limited than the prior storm (four inches at San Jacinto Peak), but more uniformly distributed across all elevations above 8000 ft (2-4 inches throughout). Rainfall in Idyllwild was 0.51 inch.

The third system, on 20th-22nd, initially moved across the region from the south-west. Universally forecast to produce heavy snow, in the San Jacinto mountains the accumulation rate of 0.25 inch/hour at the highest elevations overnight on 20th produced only four inches by first light the next day as the storm moved away, with a dusting down to 6500 ft. Thankfully the rotation of the system brought it back around from the east with a vengeance the next day, with fine snowfall accompanied by sustained winds of 20 mph with gusts nearly double that speed. Snowfall accumulation on 22nd roughly matched that on 20th-21st, especially on the eastern slope of the mountain (e.g,, from Red Tahquitz to Long Valley, including the east flanks of the high peaks), with three inches at San Jacinto Peak for a nine day total accumulation of 17-18 inches.

Temperatures are rising rapidly to above seasonal this week, especially at upper elevations. This is expected to result in steady snowmelt at all elevations, and consequent deterioration in trail conditions of snowy tracks. Minor storm systems provisionally forecast to arrive overnight on Saturday 29th November and another on 3rd-4th December now look like to pass too far to the north to impact the San Jacinto mountains, other than causing brief and modest drops in temperatures.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Saturday 29th November 2025 at 0755 the air temperature was 36.1°F (2°C), with a windchill temperature of 24.4°F (-4°C), 31% relative humidity, and a benign WNW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 11.2 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 27th November 2025 at 0850 the air temperature was 41.6°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 35.2°F (2°C), 18% relative humidity, and a steady SE wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 7.9 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 24th November 2025 at 0910 the air temperature was 35.5°F (2°C), with a windchill temperature of 25.0°F (-4°C), 47% relative humidity, and a light NNE wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 10.2 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 21st November 2025 at 0820 the air temperature was 18.7°F (-7°C), with a windchill temperature of 1.9°F (-17°C), 56% relative humidity, and a cool SSW wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 14.8 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

All trails above about 8000 ft are largely – or above 9000 ft completely – snow-covered. With above seasonal temperatures since 24th, melting has been unusually rapid, especially on sun-exposed slopes.

Spikes can be useful everywhere above about 8000 ft, locally lower in places, as established trails have become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergone freeze-thaw cycles. They are especially useful for descending heavily traveled trails where they have become compacted and icy (e.g., Devil’s Slide, Wellman, Peak, and Round Valley trails).

Snow depths are suitable for snowshoeing above 9000 ft, but only off-trail or when breaking trail on routes that have so far been untraveled.

Devil’s Slide Trail [updated Saturday 29th] is functionally clear of icy snow to about 7600 ft. Above that elevation, there is a heavily compacted and icy track to follow through increasingly patchy thin snow (average snow cover now 50% to Saddle Junction). Most hikers will find that traction devices are very helpful on the upper trail, especially for descending.

There is a well-traveled, compacted track most of the way on the PCT south from Saddle Junction to Chinquapin Flat/PCT Mile 178 [updated Wednesday 26th]. The track is less well traveled and requires some minor postholing about 0.3 mile from Chinquapin Flat.

The section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [updated Wednesday 26th] currently has a lightly traveled, uneven track to follow through the angled icy snow. Much of the track is covered by fallen ice. These icy slopes on the north side of Tahquitz Peak are notoriously treacherous. Currently spikes (with hiking poles at a minimum) are strongly recommended, but the route is probably not suitable for most hikers (photo above).

South Ridge Trail [updated Wednesday 26th] is clear of snow to 0.5 mile beyond Old Lookout Flat to about 7800 ft. Snow cover is increasingly patchy to 8500 ft, but the patches are invariably icy. There is a well-defined but icy track through continuous snow above 8500 ft to Tahquitz Peak. Rocks around the Peak are also largely icy, but the tower is now almost completely clear of ice. Spikes are recommended for the upper trail.

As of Saturday 29th, there were no tracks to follow through shallow and rapidly melting snow on the Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183).

Willow Creek Trail [updated Saturday 29th] now has a lightly traveled track to follow through shallow and patchy snow, at least to Skunk Cabbage Meadow.

There are well-traveled and compacted tracks on Round Valley Trail through Long and Round valleys to Wellman Divide, and on the “Sid Davis” route, the latter emerging at the Peak Trail near 10,000 ft [updated Saturday 29th].

The PCT north from Saddle Junction, continuing onto the Wellman Trail, has a well-traveled and increasingly compacted track through light to moderate snow cover to Wellman Divide [updated Saturday 29th]. Melting has been rapid on the most sun-exposed section immediately north of Saddle Junction (“Angel’s Glide”) with some lengthy snow-free sections already appearing.

The Peak Trail [updated Saturday 29th] has a well-traveled, compacted, posthole track through continuous snow cover that accurately follows the trail route to near Miller Peak at 10,400 ft. Thereafter the majority of hiker traffic – as is traditional in winter – takes the East Ridge on a meandering route to San Jacinto Peak. The Peak Trail itself above 10,400 ft has seen more traffic this weekend, but remains a more uneven postholing route. Tracks just below San Jacinto Peak proper are starting to consolidate into less of a shambolic maze of alternate routes, but it is still easy to wander well off track on less obvious options.

Deer Springs Trail [updated Thursday 27th] is functionally clear of snow to Strawberry Junction, with just a few tiny patches of soft snow close to the junction (spikes not required). Above Strawberry Junction snow cover is very thin and increasingly patchy to 8500 ft, becoming functionally continuous thereafter all the way to San Jacinto Peak. There is only a very lightly traveled posthole track between Strawberry Junction and the top of Marion Mountain Trail (approx. PCT Miles 183-185), but the snow is thin and easy underfoot. After the Marion junction, the track is well-traveled and compacted to Little Round Valley, almost entirely following the trail route accurately (spikes useful, mainly for descending). Above Little Round Valley there are two options, a lightly traveled and uneven posthole track that ascends steeply (as is traditional in winter), or my snowshoe track that largely follows the trail route. The latter (photograph below) is an easier ascent, but only if followed with snowshoes (or skis), as it would otherwise involve severe postholing.

Marion Mountain Trail [updated Thursday 27th] has a well-traveled and compacted track that accurately follows the trail route through the snow on its upper section. Patchy snow cover starts at 7000 ft and is largely continuous above 7500 ft, with bare patches higher in the most sun-exposed areas. Spikes are useful, especially for descending.

Seven Pines Trail [updated Thursday 27th] has no tracks to follow through the snow on its upper section.

Fuller Ridge Trail [updated Thursday 27th] has a lightly traveled but accurate posthole track to follow through light-to-moderate snow cover along its entire length (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5).

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 24th November 2025 are as follows. Current total depth is the first number given, followed (in parentheses) by details of the snowfall in the storm of 21st-22nd November. For details of the snowfall in the two preceding storms see the prior Report (linked here). Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate. [Update on Saturday 29th November: all of these locations have lost 20-40% of these depths to melting in the past five days. I expect to issue revised measurements on Monday 1st December.]

San Jacinto Peak (10811 ft): 17-18 inches (4 inches added by 21st November, plus three on 22nd)

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 11 inches (4 inches new on 21st-22nd)

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9020 ft): 12 inches (6 inches new on 21st-22nd)

Long Valley (8500 ft): 8 inches

Saddle Junction/approx. PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 8 inches (3 inches new on 21st-22nd)

Devil’s Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0 inch on 24th, with single inches on 18th and 21st already completely melted

Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch snow, 0.56 inch rain 21st-23rd November

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

UPDATE Saturday 22nd November 2025 at 1150: as seems to be more frequent in recent years, the rotational movement of yesterday’s storm system has brought it back around, this time coming in from easterly directions. Consequently the east side of the range has received modest snowfall this morning, with about four inches in Long Valley (for a total depth of about eight inches). The highest elevations remained above the cloud for much of the morning. The easterly winds have been strong and very gusty, resulting in extensive drifting, and unfortunately the (at least partial) removal of tracks broken yesterday. We broke trail up South Ridge this morning to Tahquitz Peak, from where I recorded a short video report (linked here). The snow level remained high at about 7000 ft, with just light drizzle in Idyllwild, and total accumulation at Tahquitz is a modest 4-6 inches, but this is obscured by severe drifting everywhere above about 8000 ft. Further fresh snow is possible this afternoon.

UPDATE Friday 21st November 2025: in the biggest weather forecasting error in the past decade in these mountains, the storm overnight – our third in eight days – that was widely forecast to produce 10-25 inches of snow around the highest peaks instead resulted in only three inches at San Jacinto Peak, with one inch at both Saddle Junction and Long Valley, and barely a dusting below 7000 ft. It was however a gorgeous morning in the high country, as seen in a short video report I recorded from San Jacinto Peak early today (linked here). As of this morning, well-defined, accurate tracks are in place on Devil’s Slide Trail, north from there via the Wellman and Peak trails to San Jacinto Peak, and also on the Round Valley Trail from Long Valley to Wellman Divide (broken above 9000 ft with snowshoes by myself and Kyle Eubanks). Spikes are useful everywhere above about 8000 ft, potentially lower in places. While we both used snowshoes this morning above about 9000 ft, they will not be required even above that elevation on traveled tracks (they would however be useful on upper Deer Springs Trail, which does not have a freshly broken track as of Friday morning).

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This is a summary of conditions following the second and third storm systems of winter 2025/26 that impacted the San Jacinto mountains on 14th-16th and 17th-18th November, respectively. I recorded a video report from San Jacinto Peak on the morning on Tuesday 18th (linked here) which gives a feel for current conditions in the high country.

This Report is intentionally brief as the next storm system, the third in a week, arrives late on Thursday 20th with precipitation expected to last into Saturday 22nd November. That storm will again be relatively cool, similar to the storm on 17th-18th, with a freeze level dropping to near 6000 ft, and potentially two feet of snow forecast above 10,000 ft elevation. Consequently snow and trail conditions are expected to change markedly again by Saturday 22nd, although the changes should be limited to upper elevations, with predominantly rain expected below about 6500 ft.

Both of the recent storms were ultimately less impactful than forecasts had suggested, partly due to the difficulty of predicting the exact paths of complex rotating “atmospheric rivers”, and partly because the first storm was so mild that the very high freeze level significantly restricted the quantity of snowfall (it rained all the way up to San Jacinto Peak for the first 20 hours of the storm throughout 14th November). It is interesting to speculate that if the front of that earlier storm system had been just a couple of degrees colder, with a freeze level consequently hundreds of feet lower overnight on Friday 14th, the snow depth around the highest peaks could easily have been double what we ultimately experienced.

Further details are given below under Trail Conditions, but in summary, carrying spikes is now recommended everywhere above about 7500 ft. Snow depths are currently marginal anywhere for snowshoes, although they could be used above about 9500 ft on untraveled trails. That advice is expected to change by Saturday 22nd with significant additional fresh snowfall.

Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given towards the end of this posting. Note however that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or ease) of hiking a particular track or trail. For example a firm, well-compacted track across snow several feet deep is often much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of angled virgin icy snow.

Below seasonal temperatures followed the passage of the storm system on Tuesday 18th November and will persist until Sunday 23rd. Hikers must be prepared for temperatures well below freezing at higher elevations, and far below freezing when considering wind chill effects. See the Weather section below for my recent observations from San Jacinto Peak.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, at least six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017 (I have personally encountered at least one annually for the past seven years). A full-sized adult bear with a right ear tag has been seen in multiple locations from Willow Creek to Fern Valley since August (see my video from a trail cam on 14th September available here, and images from Fern Valley in late August in a prior Report linked here). A smaller, second individual has been reliably reported at least twice, most recently in late September in lower Fern Valley. My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking past our house in 2018 (linked here) show two further individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails, but bear-safe storage of food when camping is recommended.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

The second storm system of the season (and the first since 14th October) impacted the region on 14th-16th November. The “atmospheric river” system was extremely warm for the season, with a freeze level initially above 11,000 ft and rain throughout the highest peaks for the first day of the storm, before turning to snow early on Saturday 15th. Even then, the snow level remained high throughout the storm, with little more than a dusting below 7000 ft. Inevitably this limited snow at all elevations, with seven inches at San Jacinto Peak, down to three inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). Accumulated rainfall was impressive at mid elevations, with 2.70 inches in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft).

The system on 17th-18th was palpably colder, with a freeze level dropping to 6000 ft. However this rapid cooling happened largely after the passage of the main precipitation, so snowfall at mid elevations was extremely limited, with just one inch at Humber Park (6500 ft)(which lasted only hours before melting) and barely a dusting below that. Fresh snowfall in the high country was more limited than the prior storm (four inches at San Jacinto Peak), but more uniformly distributed across all elevations above 8000 ft (2-4 inches throughout). Rainfall in Idyllwild was 0.51 inch.

The third system in a week, due on 20th-21st, is expected to be similar in temperature to the storm of 17th-18th. with a freeze level near 6000 ft. About one inch of rain is forecast for Idyllwild. Although snow forecasts have varied widely in recent days, at least 10-12 inches, possibly much more, is now expected above 10,000 ft.

Starting Sunday 23rd November, temperatures are tentatively forecast to rise rapidly to above seasonal, especially at upper elevations. This is expected to result in rapid snowmelt at all elevations, and of course consequent steady changes in trail conditions.

The first (very minor) winter storm of the season impacted the region on Tuesday 14th October 2025, as described in detail in a prior Report (linked here).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 0650 the air temperature was 15.9°F (-9°C), with a windchill temperature of -3.7°F (-20°C), 38% relative humidity, and a sharp SSW wind sustained at 14 mph gusting to 20.7 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 17th November 2025 at 1420 the air temperature was 25.0°F (-4°C), with a windchill temperature of 16.0°F (-9°C), 66% relative humidity, and a frigid SW wind sustained at 14 mph gusting to 26 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 14th November 2025 at 1610 the air temperature was 36.0°F (2°C), with a windchill temperature of 23.5°F (-4°C), 100% relative humidity, and a steady due South wind sustained at 14 mph gusting to 17.4 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

All trails above about 7500 ft are largely or completely snow-covered. By the afternoon of 18th, melting was already well underway below 9000 ft. The powder on 18th was so light and fine that drifting in the trails has been dramatic above 9000 ft, which is not reflected in the snow depths given below. Trails above 10,000 ft have snow up to 25 inches deep in the trail routes in places.

Spikes are potentially useful everywhere above about 7500 ft, lower in places, especially as established trails become consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. They are especially useful for descending trails when they become icy and compacted (e.g. Devil’s Slide and lower Deer Springs trails). Snow depths are suitable for snowshoeing above 10,000 ft, but this elevation is expected to drop significantly after 22nd November.

Ernie Maxwell Trail is completely clear of snow.

Devil’s Slide Trail has a well-traveled track to follow through largely continuous thin icy snow above 7000 ft.

Deer Springs Trail is largely clear of snow to the Suicide Rock junction with just a few patches close to the junction (spikes not required). Above Strawberry Junction snow cover is continuous, but at this time there is no track to follow to Little Round Valley or beyond to San Jacinto Peak.

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 18th November 2025 are as follows. Current total depth is the first number given, followed (in parentheses) by the snowfall in the storm of 14th-16th November and then the snowfall in the storm of 17th-18th November). Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10811 ft): 11 inches (7 inches by 16th November/4 inches added by 18th November)

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 7 inches (4 inches/3 inches)

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9020 ft): 6 inches (3 inches/3 inches)

Saddle Junction/approx. PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 5 inches (3 inches/2 inches)

Devil’s Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 1 inch on 18th, already completely melted later that day

Idyllwild (village center at 5400 ft): 0 inches

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

The first significant storms of winter 2025/26 – three systems in eight days – are forecast to impact the San Jacinto mountains from Friday 14th to Friday 21st November 2025.

Please check this page for periodic updates – the most recent is at the top – throughout the multiday storm sequence. The next comprehensive Report update, summarizing conditions during and after the first two of the three storms, is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday 19th.

UPDATE Tuesday 18th November at 0800

The minor storm that moved through swiftly overnight produced a further three inches of snow at San Jacinto Peak – for a total on the ground of about 10 inches – and dusted locally as low as 6000 ft. The snow quality was perfect, a light powder, but that did drift heavily in gusty overnight winds, so tracks are obscured above 10,000 ft and snow in trails can be much deeper than expected.

At this time snow depths are marginal for snowshoes. That is expected to change, at least above about 9500 ft, following the next storm on Friday 21st.

Rainfall in Idyllwild totaled 0.51 inch, with no evidence of snow in Pine Cove (to 6300 ft).

I recorded a video report from San Jacinto Peak early this morning (linked here) which gives a good feel for current conditions.

UPDATE Monday 17th November at 1545

On my afternoon hike, snow conditions were poor and slushy to nearly 9000 ft, before improving above that elevation. Snow depths at Annie’s Junction (9020 ft) and Wellman Divide (9700 ft) are four and five inches, respectively.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Monday 17th November 2025 at 1515 the air temperature was 24.1°F (-4°C), with a windchill temperature of 5.5°F (-15°C), 72% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 15 mph gusting to 23.9 mph.

UPDATE Monday 17th November at 1130

There was no further precipitation overnight. The second storm arrives tonight and is forecast to move through relatively quickly overnight, with several inches of additional snow in the high country and just under 0.5 inch of rain at mid elevations.

The current snow level is as low as 7000 ft in Strawberry Valley with a dusting down to 6600 ft. Snow depth increases steadily with three inches at 8000 ft (Saddle Junction) up to seven inches at San Jacinto Peak.

Devil’s Slide Trail for example has largely continuous snow in the trail above 7200 ft, which is currently slushy, but will freeze again overnight.

Carrying spikes is recommended everywhere above about 7000 ft at this time, along with the necessary clothing and equipment for genuine winter conditions. The storm coming in tonight is considerably colder, with high country air temperatures well below freezing and windchills far below freezing for the remainder of this week.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

UPDATE Sunday 16th November at 1900

Until it largely stopped at dusk, the rain was almost continuous in Idyllwild today, with an additional 0.84 inch in the past 12 hours for a storm total of 2.70 inches.

Periodic snowfall restarted in the high country by 1200, with the snow level remaining high (>7500 ft), but with only modest accumulation (struggling to reach 0.25 inch/hour) by the time it stopped in mid afternoon.

UPDATE Sunday 16th November at 0940

Periodic rain overnight at mid elevations produced another half inch in Idyllwild, for an impressive storm total at 5550 ft (since Friday 14th) of 1.86 inches by 0700 this morning (and it continues to rain steadily). Light snow overnight and into this morning has added about two inches at the elevation of Long Valley (8500 ft), with total depth at San Jacinto Peak now near six inches. The snow level has remained stubbornly around 7500 ft, with all elevations above that level having added an inch or two of snow since yesterday.

By 0930 it stopped snowing throughout most of the high country, with the cloud cover rapidly clearing on the eastern side of the mountain range. All forecasts are indicating relatively minimal further precipitation today as this first storm system moves away to the east, however rain-producing cloud often remains socked into the west slope valleys long after the high country has cleared.

UPDATE Saturday 15th November at 1830

Apologies for the delayed updating. As described below, it was a challenging day around the Peak. Snowfall at San Jacinto Peak was three inches by early afternoon, likely 4-5 inches by this evening, with two inches at Wellman Divide (9700 ft). There has been a dusting as low as 8000 ft (just below Saddle Junction), with a slushy 0.5 inch from there to 9000 ft elevation.

An additional 0.9 inch of rain in Idyllwild today brings the storm total at 5550 ft to 1.41 inches. Rainfall accumulation at Saddle Junction was 1.29 inches before turning to sleet/light snow.

We dealt with three cases of hypothermia in two separate hiker groups at San Jacinto Peak today, occupying most of the daylight hours. All cases were basically caused by hikers getting wet in the rain on their ascents and then running into the cold, wind, and snow at the highest elevations. Two women I assisted this afternoon exhibited serious symptoms, and I helped get them dry, provided them with extra clothing that I had, made hot beverages, and ultimately guided them part way back down the mountain. The good news is that I have had messages from both groups that everyone eventually got home safely. A tough day, but a great learning experience for those who ventured into the high country today.

UPDATE Saturday 15th November at 0930

The bad news from the top of the mountain is that it rained gently throughout the night at San Jacinto Peak, with the freeze level remaining stubbornly above 11,000 ft. Storm total rainfall by 0700 was 1.09 inches.

The good news is that it steadily turned to snow after 0700, accumulating to 0.75 inch by 0930. Currently the snow level is reported to be around Wellman Divide (9700 ft).

Rainfall storm total in Idyllwild up to 0700 this morning was 0.51 inch.

UPDATE Friday 14th November at 2020

The temperature at San Jacinto Peak has remained around 36°F all day, with consequently no snow but 0.79 inch of rain accumulating by 2015. It is forecast to turn to light snow overnight.

On our hike up this afternoon, there was intermittent light rain at all elevations above 6000 ft.

Total rainfall in Idyllwild in the past 24 hours has been an unexpectedly low 0.28 inch, most of which fell overnight.

UPDATE Friday 14th November at 1030

Rain accumulation overnight by 0700 was 0.20 inch in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft), with 0.05 inch in Long Valley (8500 ft). The start of the system was so mild – well above freezing even above 10,000 ft – that light rain fell at all elevations including around the highest peaks.

The first significant winter storm of the 2025/26 winter will impact the San Jacinto mountains on 14th-16th November. A second storm system will follow so close behind, on 17th-18th, that the gap between the two may be hard to discern, especially at mid elevations where it is expected to rain more-or-less continuously for five days (14th-18th).

The first system will be warm for the season, with initial rainfall potentially above 10,000 ft before the freeze level drops down to around 8000 ft. Rain is expected to persist at mid elevations for at least three days (Friday-Sunday), heaviest on Saturday 15th, and may reach (or even exceed) three inches. Current forecasts indicate 10-15 inches of snow around the highest peaks, mainly focused on the morning of 15th. Due to the warmth of the system, snowfall may be only 4-6 inches at the elevations of Strawberry and Saddle junctions (both around 8000 ft) as these areas will predominantly receive rain. A dusting of snow is possible at elevations as low as Pine Cove and Fern Valley.

Uncertainty persists regarding the second storm system tentatively forecast for 17th-19th. The system is expected to be much colder, with a freeze level dropping as low as 5500 ft, hence light snow in Pine Cove and Idyllwild is more likely. Atmospheric instability continues throughout those days, with a likelihood of periodic light rain at mid elevations (roughly an additional one inch forecast), but snow estimates for the high country have ranged widely from 0-12 inches, with about the middle of that range most likely.

A third storm system tentatively forecast for 20th-21st will also be relatively cold. At this time further light rain is forecast for mid elevations, nut little or no snow for the high country.

Water flows have deteriorated again despite inches of rain in recent months (some example photos below) although this situation may become academic later this week. Most key hiker water sources remain flowing. All ephemeral sources that dried in the summer but temporarily flowed again earlier this month are now dry again. Wellman’s Cienega and the pipe in Round Valley are flowing steadily and will now maintain useable flow into the winter. The creek in Little Round Valley has dried again both where it passes through the meadow and also where it crosses Deer Springs Trail, but continues to flow patchily in its central section. Deer Springs creek (PCT Mile 185.4) dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name, and although it has intermittently flowed again twice during recent rains, is now functionally dry again. The North Fork of the San Jacinto River is flowing where it crosses both Fuller Ridge (PCT Mile 186) and Deer Springs trails, but is largely dry where it crosses Seven Pines Trail. Stone Creek has now dried again where it crosses Deer Springs Trail (near PCT Mile 183.6). Marion Creek is flowing steadily where it crosses the Suicide Rock Trail. Strawberry Cienega (approx PCT Mile 181.9), has dried again.

Willow Creek is flowing weakly again where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, having dried in August. Hidden Lake functionally dried by the end of June. Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations)(photos below). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail has been functionally dry since 1st August, but I maintain a tiny pool there from which dogs can drink.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, at least six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017 (I have personally encountered at least one annually for the past seven years). A full-sized adult bear with a right ear tag has been seen in multiple locations from Willow Creek to Fern Valley since August (see my video from a trail cam on 14th September available here, and images from Fern Valley in late August in a prior Report linked here). A smaller, second individual has been reliably reported at least twice, most recently in late September in lower Fern Valley. My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking past our house in 2018 (linked here) show two further individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails, but bear-safe storage of food when camping is recommended.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures throughout early November were generally above seasonal at all elevations, with warm, dry (but thankfully weak) easterly winds in recent days. Temperatures cool markedly after Tuesday 11th with the anticipated passage of back-to-back minor winter storms on 13th-19th November.

Winter storm systems are forecast for 14th-16th November (high degree of confidence), 17th-18th November (some uncertainty), and 20th-21st (considerable uncertainty). The first system will be relatively mild, with a freeze level likely above 7000 ft. Steady rain from late Thursday 13th into Sunday 16th is forecast to total at least two inches at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild). Currently 8-15 inches of snow are forecast around the highest peaks, but due to the warmth of the system, possibly fewer than six inches at the elevations of Strawberry and Saddle junctions (around 8000 ft).

National Weather Service San Diego published a detailed, revised, video forecast of the upcoming storm system on 12th November (linked here).

The second system on 17th-18th will be colder, with several inches of snowfall mainly on Monday 17th in the high country even though rainfall at mid elevations could be less than one inch, the latter mainly in the afternoon/evening of Monday 17th. Due to the temperature of the storm, light snow is possible at elevations as low as Pine Cove and Fern Valley (a dusting at 5000 ft, 1-3 inches near 6000 ft).

Details remain unclear for the third system, due on 20th-21st, at this time, although it is expected to be as cold as the storm on 17th-18th, but possibly fast moving, and hence with minimal precipitation.

The first (very minor) winter storm of the season impacted the region on Tuesday 14th October. Snow fell intermittently at San Jacinto Peak most of the afternoon, accumulating to about 1.5 inches. Snow dusted as low as 9000 ft, averaging about one inch above 9500 ft. Rainfall in Idyllwild (5550 ft) totaled an impressive 0.76 inch for the day, with 0.85 inch at Saddle Junction (8100 ft).

That storm was a dramatic contrast from the relatively mild, humid, weather experienced since late August. The San Jacinto mountains had a remarkable sequence of tropical and monsoonal autumnal rains spread across ten distinct rain events between 22nd August and 10th October. San Jacinto Peak recorded an impressive 8.74 inches of rainfall, with 4.58 inches recorded in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Wednesday 12th November 2025 at 1020 the air temperature was 39.9°F (4°C), with a windchill temperature of 28.0°F (-2°C), 48% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 18.5 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 7th November 2025 at 0945 the air temperature was 46.1°F (8°C), with a windchill temperature of 39.6°F (4°C), 35% relative humidity, and a cool NNE wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.7 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 3rd November 2025 at 0840 the air temperature was 44.1°F (7°C), with a windchill temperature of 36.5°F (2°C), 16% relative humidity, and a remarkably steady SW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 10.9 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 31st October 2025 at 0910 the air temperature was 45.3°F (7°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 43.0°F (6°C), 36% relative humidity, and a very light NNE breeze sustained at 0 mph gusting to 3.0 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 29th October 2025 at 0945 the air temperature was 56.2°F (13°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 50.7°F (10°C), 30% relative humidity, and a barely discernable NW breeze sustained at 0 mph gusting to 2.2 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Temperatures will be relatively cold in the high country during the passage of dual storm systems between 13th-19th November. Hikers must be prepared for temperatures well below freezing at higher elevations, and far below freezing when considering wind chill effects, especially on 14th, 15th, 18th, and 19th. It is expected that spikes may be needed above about 9000 ft elevation after 14th.

Trails have cleared of the icy snow that fell three weeks ago. Thankfully most trails suffered relatively minor tread erosion from intense rains in August-October. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

For the first time in nearly a decade, Deer Springs Trail from its trailhead to Little Round Valley is now completely clear of blowdowns, with 26 trees removed since the middle of last year (of which 70% were cut by the Trail Report). A joint Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps/State Park crew working in early October trimmed encroaching vegetation along Deer Springs Trail just above the Fuller Ridge Trail junction to about 9300 ft.

On PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) most blowdowns have been removed but six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report this spring. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has had long-term blowdowns removed this month by Forest Service volunteers. The brush along Miles 181-181.7 has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed by the Trail Report in 2021, but there is a plan for trimming work in the next few months.

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved significantly in July 2025, with the Trail Report clearing most of the 15 blowdowns and a PCTA volunteer crew cutting the remainder the following week.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing well compared to earlier in the autumn (photo below). The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail well-maintained (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) had some effective basic maintenance on its dirt section in the spring. The associated Dark Canyon campground is closed for the year (apparently due to federal budget cuts).

For the first time in about 20 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared semi-annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

On Willow Creek Trail whitethorn urgently needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail trimmed and cleaned three times this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Stormy weather this autumn brought down another seven trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All were removed by the Trail Report on 20th October, bringing to 169 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar is the only tree that remains across the trail, immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

Temperatures in early November have been broadly above seasonal at all elevations. They are expected to remain above average into the second week of November, before cooling from 12th. Forecasts are suggesting back-to-back minor winter storm systems on 13th-14th and 17th-19th November. The first system will be mild, with rain potentially as high as 9,000 ft (before possibly transitioning to light snow). Rain may persist at mid elevations for 1-2 days, starting on the afternoon of 13th. The system on 18th will be colder, with a dusting of snow as low as 6500 ft possible. For the first storm, snowfall is forecast to be limited to no more than 1-2 inches around the highest peaks, while estimates for the later storm have ranged widely from 1-12 inches.

Water flows have deteriorated again despite inches of rain in recent months (some example photos below). However most key hiker water sources are flowing. All ephemeral sources that dried in the summer but temporarily flowed again earlier this month are now dry again. Wellman’s Cienega and the pipe in Round Valley are flowing steadily and will now maintain useable flow into the winter. The creek in Little Round Valley has dried again both where it passes through the meadow and also where it crosses Deer Springs Trail, but continues to flow patchily in its central section. Deer Springs creek (PCT Mile 185.4) dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name, and although it has intermittently flowed again twice during recent rains, is now functionally dry again. The North Fork of the San Jacinto River is flowing where it crosses both Fuller Ridge (PCT Mile 186) and Deer Springs trails, but is largely dry where it crosses Seven Pines Trail. Stone Creek has now dried again where it crosses Deer Springs Trail (near PCT Mile 183.6). Marion Creek is flowing steadily where it crosses the Suicide Rock Trail. Strawberry Cienega (approx PCT Mile 181.9), has dried again.

Willow Creek is flowing weakly again where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, having dried in August. Hidden Lake functionally dried by the end of June. Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations)(photos below). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail has been functionally dry since 1st August, but I maintain a tiny pool there from which dogs can drink.

During the federal government shutdown, the Forest Service Idyllwild Ranger Station is closed. Unlike the 2018-19 shutdown which occurred in the winter months of December-January, gates on Forest Service roads and USFS campgrounds have remained open (for now).

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, at least six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017 (I have personally encountered at least one annually for the past seven years). A full-sized adult bear with a right ear tag has been seen in multiple locations from Willow Creek to Fern Valley since August (see my video from a trail cam on 14th September available here, and images from Fern Valley in late August in a prior Report linked here). A smaller, second individual has been reliably reported at least twice, most recently in late September in lower Fern Valley. My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking past our house in 2018 (linked here) show two further individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails, but bear-safe storage of food when camping is recommended.

The fire lookout at Black Mountain is closed indefinitely due to issues identified in a May 2025 safety inspection. Tahquitz Peak lookout reopened (likely only for a few weeks) on 7th November having been closed all season to date.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures remain generally above seasonal throughout early November, before cooling markedly after Tuesday 11th.

Consecutive winter storm systems are forecast (with increasing reliability) for 13th-15th and 18th November. The first system will be relatively mild for the season, with a freeze level above 7000 ft and initial rainfall possibly near 10,000 ft (before turning to very light snow). Steady light rain from late on Thursday 13th into Saturday 15th could total one inch at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild). Only 1-3 inches of snow are currently forecast around the highest peaks, with a dusting possible at elevations as low as Pine Cove and upper Fern Valley.

The system on 18th is forecast to be colder, with a freeze level potentially dropping to 6000 ft and hence a dusting of snow as low as Idyllwild possible. Snowfall in the high country is expected to be somewhat greater with the second storm than the first, but still only 2-4 inches, falling throughout the day on Tuesday 18th.

The first (very minor) winter storm of the season impacted the region on Tuesday 14th October. Snow fell intermittently at San Jacinto Peak most of the afternoon, accumulating to about 1.5 inches. Snow dusted as low as 9000 ft, averaging about one inch above 9500 ft. Rainfall in Idyllwild (5550 ft) totaled an impressive 0.76 inch for the day, with 0.85 inch at Saddle Junction (8100 ft).

That storm was a dramatic contrast from the relatively mild, humid, weather experienced since late August. The San Jacinto mountains had a remarkable sequence of tropical and monsoonal autumnal rains spread across ten distinct rain events between 22nd August and 10th October. San Jacinto Peak recorded an impressive 8.74 inches of rainfall, with 4.58 inches recorded in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft).

One interesting consequence of the climate change crisis is the increasing prevalence of tropical, rather than monsoonal, rainfall in the San Jacinto mountains. In three of the four most recent years (2022-2025) the majority of rainfall in our region between August-October has come from tropical sources (generally from the south or south-west) as opposed to the historically much more frequent monsoonal storms (originating from easterly directions).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Friday 7th November 2025 at 0945 the air temperature was 46.1°F (8°C), with a windchill temperature of 39.6°F (4°C), 35% relative humidity, and a cool NNE wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.7 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 3rd November 2025 at 0840 the air temperature was 44.1°F (7°C), with a windchill temperature of 36.5°F (2°C), 16% relative humidity, and a remarkably steady SW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 10.9 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 31st October 2025 at 0910 the air temperature was 45.3°F (7°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 43.0°F (6°C), 36% relative humidity, and a very light NNE breeze sustained at 0 mph gusting to 3.0 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 29th October 2025 at 0945 the air temperature was 56.2°F (13°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 50.7°F (10°C), 30% relative humidity, and a barely discernable NW breeze sustained at 0 mph gusting to 2.2 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails have cleared of the icy snow that fell three weeks ago. Thankfully most trails suffered relatively minor tread erosion from intense rains in August-October. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

For the first time in nearly a decade, Deer Springs Trail from its trailhead to Little Round Valley is now completely clear of blowdowns, with 26 trees removed since the middle of last year (of which 70% were cut by the Trail Report). A joint Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps/State Park crew working in early October trimmed encroaching vegetation along Deer Springs Trail just above the Fuller Ridge Trail junction to about 9300 ft.

On PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) most blowdowns have been removed but six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report this spring. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has had long-term blowdowns removed this month by Forest Service volunteers. The brush along Miles 181-181.7 has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed by the Trail Report in 2021, but there is a plan for trimming work in the next few months.

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved significantly in July 2025, with the Trail Report clearing most of the 15 blowdowns and a PCTA volunteer crew cutting the remainder the following week.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing well compared to earlier in the autumn (photo below). The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail well-maintained (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) had some effective basic maintenance on its dirt section in the spring. The associated Dark Canyon campground is closed for the year (apparently due to federal budget cuts).

For the first time in about 20 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared semi-annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

On Willow Creek Trail whitethorn urgently needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail trimmed and cleaned three times this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Stormy weather this autumn brought down another seven trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All were removed by the Trail Report on 20th October, bringing to 169 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar is the only tree that remains across the trail, immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

The first winter storm of the season impacted the region on Tuesday 14th October, with precipitation starting about 1130 and lasting until near dusk. Snow fell intermittently at San Jacinto Peak most of the afternoon, accumulating to about 1.5 inches, but with a periodic mix of drizzle and sleet, and finishing with a thick icy coating from late freezing rain. Snow dusted as low as 9000 ft, averaging about one inch above 9500 ft. Rainfall in Idyllwild (5550 ft) totaled an impressive 0.76 inch for the day, with 0.85 inch at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). I posted a short video report from San Jacinto Peak early on 15th, linked here. Despite a steady warming trend in recent days, on Wednesday 22nd thin icy snow still persisted in patches in the most shaded areas above 9900 ft elevation, although spikes are no longer required anywhere.

This storm was a dramatic contrast from the relatively mild, humid, weather we have generally experienced since late August. The San Jacinto mountains had a remarkable sequence of tropical and monsoonal autumnal rains in the past eight weeks. San Jacinto Peak recorded an impressive 8.74 inches of rainfall spread across ten distinct rain events between 22nd August and 10th October, with 4.58 inches recorded in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) over the same period.

The most recent tropical rains, on 9th-10th October, were concentrated on the western flank of the mountain range. The junction of Marion Mountain and Deer Springs trails at 8600 ft recorded 2.23 inches of rain, with 1.67 inches at 9800 ft in Little Round Valley, in contrast to just 0.36 inch at Saddle Junction (located on the southern flank of the high country).

Water flows have improved following the rain events of recent weeks, although many rapidly returned to their mid-August condition (see photos below). Some key hiker water sources are flowing reasonably well. All ephemeral sources dried in the summer but some are temporarily flowing again, especially those on the western side of the mountains. Wellman’s Cienega and the pipe in Round Valley are flowing and should now maintain useable flow into the winter. The creek in Little Round Valley has already dried again both where it passes through the meadow and also where it crosses Deer Springs Trail, but continues to flow patchily in its central section. Deer Springs creek dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name, and although it has intermittently flowed again twice during recent rains, it will dry again soon. The North Fork of the San Jacinto River is flowing where it crosses both Fuller Ridge and Deer Springs trails. Stone Creek is temporarily trickling again where it crosses Deer Springs Trail (near PCT Mile 183.6). Marion Creek is flowing steadily where it crosses the Suicide Rock Trail. Strawberry Cienega (approx PCT Mile 181.9), which dried in midsummer, is temporarily trickling again, but not sufficiently to filter any useful volume of water.

Willow Creek is flowing again where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, having dried in August. Hidden Lake dried by the end of June (although it temporarily holds a tiny pond from recent rains). Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried up in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry and no longer useful for filtering. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail has been functionally dry since 1st August, but I maintain a tiny pool there from which dogs can drink.

During the federal government shutdown, the Forest Service Idyllwild Ranger Station is closed. Unlike the 2018-19 shutdown which occurred in the winter months of December-January, gates on Forest Service roads and USFS campgrounds have remained open (for now).

Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak are closed indefinitely due to issues identified in a May 2025 safety inspection at Black Mountain. Neither tower is now expected to reopen until 2026.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, up to six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past seven years. A full-sized adult bear with an ear tag has been seen in multiple locations from Laws to Fern Valley since late August (see my video from 14th September available here, and images from late August in a prior Report linked here). My other brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking through our property in Idyllwild in 2018 (linked here) show two other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails.

Daily survey hikes by the Trail Report year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures plunged to well below seasonal for October on 13th-16th with the passage of a cold front associated with the first winter storm of the season on Tuesday 14th. Strong winds associated with passage of the cold front briefly dropped windchill temperatures close to 0°F (-18°C) at the highest peaks.

Temperatures warm quickly this week, especially at mid elevations, and will be above seasonal for late October on most days from 18th to the end of the month. The last few days of October are forecast to be unusually warm for the season.

The San Jacinto mountains received valuable monsoonal and tropical rainfall in ten distinct events since late August, as described in more detail in the previous Report and links therein (linked here). The most recent tropical rains, on 9th-10th October, were associated with the breakdown of former Hurricane Priscilla far to our south. Locations on the western side of the high country received the bulk of the the intense rainfall, with 2.23 inches of rain recorded at the junction of Marion Mountain and Deer Springs trails at 8600 ft, and 1.67 inches at 9800 ft in Little Round Valley. In contrast, locations to the south of the high country received much less rain, with Saddle Junction recording just 0.36 inch, and Idyllwild 0.49 inch, while higher elevation locations on the east side fell between those extremes (1.21 inches at Wellman’s Cienega). San Jacinto Peak recorded 1.43 inches.

One interesting consequence of the climate change crisis is the increasing prevalence of tropical, rather than monsoonal, rainfall in the San Jacinto mountains. In three of the four most recent years (2022-2025) the majority of rainfall in our region between August-October has come from tropical sources (generally from the south or south-west) as opposed to the historically much more frequent monsoonal storms (originating from easterly directions).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 at 0930 the air temperature was 37.8°F (3°C), with a windchill temperature of 21.9°F (-6°C), 46% relative humidity, and a chilly SW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 21.4 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 17th October 2025 at 0940 the air temperature was 31.7°F (0°C), with a windchill temperature of 17.6°F (-8°C), 47% relative humidity, and a cool NNE wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14.9 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 15th October 2025 at 0645 the air temperature was 22.5°F (-5°C), with a windchill temperature of 5.5°F (-15°C), 100% relative humidity, and a frigid due West wind sustained at 14 mph gusting to 22.0 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 14th October 2025 at 1045 the air temperature was 30.3°F (-1°C), with a windchill temperature of 14.0°F (-10°C), 93% relative humidity, and a bitter SW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 20.6 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Icy snow was almost continuous on trails above 9300 ft on 15th October, with a patchy mix of ice, snow, and sleet down to 8800 ft. Spikes were useful, but not essential for those very familiar with hiking in such conditions, above about 9500 ft. These conditions will improve steadily with a warming trend over 16th-19th October, with melting most rapid at lower elevations (initially below 10,000 ft) and on the most sun-exposed trails. As of Friday 17th, very thin icy snow was still widespread in the sheltered sections of the Peak Trail above 9900 ft, and as low as 9300 ft on the least sun-exposed sections of Deer Springs Trail. With caution, spikes are generally not required, although there is little harm with carrying them of course.

Thankfully most trails have suffered relatively minor tread erosion from recent intense rains. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

For the first time in nearly a decade, Deer Springs Trail from its trailhead to Little Round Valley is now completely clear of blowdowns, with 26 trees removed since the middle of last year, of which 70% were cut by the Trail Report. A joint Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps/State Park crew working in early October made good progress trimming encroaching vegetation along Deer Springs Trail just above the Fuller Ridge Trail junction to about 9300 ft.

On PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) most blowdowns have been removed but six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report this spring. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has had several of its decade-old blowdowns removed this month by Forest Service volunteers. The brush along Miles 181-181.7 has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed by the Trail Report in 2021, but there is a plan for trimming work in the next few months.

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved significantly in July 2025, with the Trail Report clearing most of the 15 blowdowns and a PCTA volunteer crew cutting the remainder the following week.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing well compared to earlier in the autumn (photo below). The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail clear (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) had some effective basic maintenance on its dirt section in the spring. The associated Dark Canyon campground is closed for the year (apparently due to federal budget cuts).

For the first time in about 20 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

On Willow Creek Trail whitethorn urgently needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail trimmed and cleaned three times this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Stormy weather this autumn brought down another seven trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All were removed by the Trail Report on 20th October, bringing to 169 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar is the only tree that remains across the trail, immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

The San Jacinto mountains have experienced a remarkable sequence of tropical and monsoonal autumnal rains in the past eight weeks, as described in more detail in the Weather section below. San Jacinto Peak has recorded an impressive 7.46 inches of rainfall since 22nd August, with 4.20 inches recorded in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) over the same period.

Further tropical moisture fell on 9th and 10th October (included in the numbers above). A storm system passing largely to the north of our region next week – mainly overnight on 14th-15th October – is associated with a cold front and will be the first winter storm of the season, in dramatic contrast to the warm, humid, tropical storms of recent weeks. Light precipitation starting in the afternoon of Tuesday 14th may include a dusting of snow above 10,000 ft elevation, but limited rainfall everywhere below that level.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway closed for scheduled annual maintenance for five weeks starting 8th September, with a tentative reopening on 13th October 2025.

Water flows improved only briefly following the rain events of recent weeks, and many have already returned to their mid-August condition (example photos below). Some key hiker water sources are flowing reasonably well, but all ephemeral sources dried in the summer. Wellman’s Cienega and the pipe in Round Valley are flowing steadily and should now maintain useable flow deep into the autumn. Ephemeral sources along Marion Mountain Trail are all dry for the first time in more than two years. The creek in Little Round Valley has already dried again where it passes through the meadow and also where it crosses Deer springs Trail, but continues to flow patchily in its central section. Deer Springs creek dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name, and has dried again following very brief flow last month. The North Fork of the San Jacinto River is flowing where it crosses both Fuller Ridge and Deer Springs trails. Marion Creek is flowing steadily where it crosses the Suicide Rock Trail. Strawberry Cienega (approx PCT Mile 181.9), which dried in midsummer, is temporarily trickling again, but not sufficiently to filter any useful volume of water.

Willow Creek is flowing (weakly) again where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, having dried in August. All other minor creeks that cross Willow Creek Trail remain dry however. Hidden Lake dried by the end of June (although it temporarily holds a tiny pond from recent rains). Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried up in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry and no longer useful for filtering. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail has been functionally dry since 1st August, but I maintain a tiny pool there from which dogs can drink.

Full fire restrictions began on Tuesday 1st July 2025 on Forest Service lands, as described on the USFS website linked here. Campfires throughout USFS lands in the San Jacinto Mountains, including all campgrounds and yellow post sites, are prohibited.

Note that during the federal government shutdown, the U.S. Forest Service Idyllwild Ranger Station is closed. Adventure passes and wilderness permits are not required (or are at least unenforceable) until the shutdown ends. Unlike the 2018-19 shutdown which occurred in the winter months of December-January, gates on Forest Service roads and USFS campgrounds have remained open (for now).

Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak are closed indefinitely due to issues identified in a May 2025 safety inspection of Black Mountain lookout. Regrettably it is now unlikely that either will reopen this year.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, 4-5 individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past six years. Two bears have been seen in multiple locations in Fern Valley since late August, a large, chestnut-colored adult (images in the previous Report linked here) initially seen on Willow Creek Trail, plus a smaller immature dark-colored individual. My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking through our property in Idyllwild in 2018 (linked here) show two other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails.

Survey hikes by the Trail Report daily and year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically at least twice per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures stabilized at (or even slightly below) seasonal for the last week of September. They are now forecast to remain near seasonal for the first half of October, with a warming trend on 7th-10th. There is currently only light precipitation in the forecasts, as described above associated with the breakdown of Hurricane Priscilla, most likely on 9th-10th October. Typical autumnal temperatures forecast for the high country may include temperatures close to freezing around the highest peaks in October, most notably associated with the passage of a cold front after Monday 13th.

The San Jacinto mountains received valuable monsoonal and tropical rainfall in late August and early September, as described in detail in an earlier Report (linked here). Subsequently the heaviest rainfall was on 18th September, as described in the previous Report (linked here). Additional rainfall fell on Saturday 27th September when a highly localized storm cell – at that time it wasn’t even raining in nearby Pine Cove – produced 0.57 inch of rain in Idyllwild in just an hour early in the afternoon. A spectacular thunderstorm that evening was more widespread, with a further 0.38 inch of rain in Idyllwild, and very heavy rain in Garner Valley. Some parts of the high country received reasonable rainfall (0.61 inch at San Jacinto Peak and 0.41 inch at Wellman’s Cienega) but other areas missed the most intense precipitation (only 0.1 inch in Long Valley all day).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Friday 10th October 2025 at 1015 the air temperature was 50.6°F (10°C), with a windchill temperature of 42.4°F (6°C), 82% relative humidity, and a steady SSW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 10.6 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 6th October 2025 at 0900 the air temperature was 48.7°F (9°C), with a windchill temperature of 41.0°F (5°C), 31% relative humidity, and a light SSW wind sustained at 3 mph gusting to 9.0 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 3rd October 2025 at 0640 the air temperature was 38.5°F (4°C), with a windchill temperature of 23.5°F (-5°C), 37% relative humidity, and a stiff SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 33.4 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The established trail system was completely clear of snow by late May. Most trails have suffered only minor tread erosion from recent intense rains. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

For the first time in a decade, upper Deer Springs Trail – between the top of Marion Mountain Trail and Little Round Valley – is now clear of blowdowns, with the Trail Report having removed nine trees this year, including the two major hazards at PCT Mile 185.3 that came down this past winter.

A joint Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps/State Park crew working on 2nd-6th October made good progress trimming Deer Springs Trail just above the Fuller Ridge Trail junction to about 9300 ft. While some progress was made cutting a few trees lower down on Deer Springs Trail, they unfortunately failed to clear the long-term major blowdowns located 0.25 mile north of Strawberry Junction, and about 0.9 mile south of Strawberry Junction.

On PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) most blowdowns have been removed but six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report this spring. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has ten blowdowns, none of which pose major hazards to hikers. Of the eight on the Forest Service section, several have been down for 8-10 years and reported repeatedly but with no action. The brush along Miles 181-181.7 has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed in 2021.

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved in July 2025, with the Trail Report clearing most of the 15 blowdowns and a PCTA volunteer crew cutting the remainder the following week.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing relatively well compared to earlier in the autumn (photo below). The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail clear (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) had some effective basic maintenance on its dirt section in the spring. The associated Dark Canyon campground is closed for the year (apparently due to federal budget cuts).

For the first time in about 20 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

On Willow Creek Trail whitethorn urgently needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail already trimmed and cleared twice this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Storms early in 2025 brought down another 34 trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All but one were removed by the Trail Report, bringing to 162 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar remains across the trail immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead. A couple of other much more recent blowdowns are small and easily stepped over.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

UPDATE Saturday 27th September 2025: a highly localized storm cell – it wasn’t even raining in nearby Pine Cove – produced 0.57 inch of rain in Idyllwild in just an hour early in the afternoon. A spectacular thunderstorm in the evening was more widespread, with a further 0.38 inch of rain in Idyllwild, and very heavy rain in Garner Valley, but large parts of the high country missed the most intense precipitation (e.g., only 0.1 inch in Long Valley for the entire day).

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After nearly eight months of well-below-average precipitation to start 2025, the San Jacinto mountains have received multiple waves of excellent monsoonal and tropical rainfall since late August. Rainfall at San Jacinto Peak totaled 6.70 inches between 22nd August and 21st September, with 2.66 inches recorded in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) over the same period.

The most intense rainfall fell on Thursday last week. Moisture drawn north from former Tropical Storm Mario generated two phases of rain on 18th September, totaling 3.13 inches at San Jacinto Peak in under 24 hours, with 1.49 inches also measured in Idyllwild. I was hiking near the Peak during a spectacular afternoon thunderstorm that day, with 1.40 inches of rain measured at the Peak in just 40 minutes, including slushy hail above 10,000 ft. Idyllwild recorded 0.67 inch in the same storm. Earlier in the day the system produced more steady rain up to 0800, with 1.34 inches measured at San Jacinto Peak, 1.39 inches in Little Round Valley, and 0.82 inch in Idyllwild.

Further rains are possible over the next week, currently forecast as most likely on 26th-28th, as disorganized tropical moisture to our south may generate more cloud flowing northwards, with any possible precipitation intensity as always depending upon localized thunderstorm activity. After Wednesday 24th, temperatures are forecast to be at (or even below) seasonal for the remainder of September.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway closed for scheduled annual maintenance for five weeks starting 8th September, with a tentative reopening on 13th October 2025.

Water flows have briefly improved, given the rain events of recent days (and weeks). Although many key hiker water sources are temporarily flowing reasonably well, all ephemeral sources dried in the summer. Wellman’s Cienega, the pipe in Round Valley, and the creek in Little Round Valley, are flowing steadily and should now maintain useable flow into the autumn. Ephemeral sources along Marion Mountain Trail are all dry for the first time in more than two years. Deer Springs creek dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name (and remains dry even after recent rains). The North Fork of the San Jacinto River is flowing where it crosses both Fuller Ridge and Deer Springs trails. Marion Creek is flowing steadily where it crosses the Suicide Rock Trail.

Willow Creek is flowing again where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, having dried in August. All other minor creeks that cross Willow Creek Trail are dry however. Hidden Lake dried by the end of June (although it temporarily holds a small pond from recent rains). Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried up in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry and no longer useful for filtering. Strawberry Cienega is functionally dry despite some recent rainwater flows. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail has been functionally dry since 1st August, but a tiny pool persists from which dogs can drink.

Full fire restrictions began on Tuesday 1st July 2025 on Forest Service lands, as described on the USFS website linked here. Campfires throughout USFS lands in the San Jacinto Mountains, including all campgrounds and yellow post sites, are prohibited.

Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak are closed indefinitely due to issues identified in a May 2025 safety inspection of Black Mountain lookout. Neither lookout will reopen before October, and regrettably it is unclear whether either will reopen this year.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, 3-5 individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past six years. An adult-sized, light chestnut-colored bear has been reported multiple times since early July, initially from Willow Creek Trail, and subsequently in multiple locations in Fern Valley since late August (images in the previous Report linked here). My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (linked here) and one walking through our property in Idyllwild in 2018 (linked here) show two other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near campsites, or on trails.

Survey hikes by the Trail Report daily and year-round in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to the highest peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically 2-3 times per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures that were predominantly above seasonal for nearly four months since 20th May may finally stabilize at (or even below) seasonal for the last week of September. After a couple of warmer days, temperatures drop and remain relatively cool on 25th-30th September.

The San Jacinto mountains received valuable monsoonal and tropical rainfall in late August and early September, as described in detail in the previous Report (linked here). Subsequently the heaviest rainfall was on 18th September, as described above. Forecasts are currently suggesting that there may be further tropical rainfall later this week, most likely on 26th-28th. Further atmospheric instability is very tentatively forecast into the first few days of October.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Monday 22nd September 2025 at 0920 the air temperature was 47.3°F (8°C), with a windchill temperature of 42.3°F (6°C), 74% relative humidity, and a very light SW wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 5.6 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 19th September 2025 at 0635 the air temperature was 39.5°F (4°C), with a windchill temperature of 29.1°F (-2°C), 97% relative humidity, and a fresh SW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 17.0 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 16th September 2025 at 1010 the air temperature was 61.0°F (16°C), with a windchill temperature of 47.5°F (9°C), 65% relative humidity, and a variable SSW wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 8.1 mph. This remarkable air temperature is a record high for the Peak in September.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The established trail system was completely clear of snow by late May. While most trails have suffered nothing more that minor tread erosion from recent intense rains, it possible that some sections have suffered more significant damage as not all trails have been surveyed at this time. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

On PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) most blowdowns have been removed but six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Lengthy sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report in May. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has ten blowdowns, none of which pose major hazards to hikers. Of the eight on the Forest Service section, several have been down for 8-10 years and reported repeatedly but with no action. The brush along Miles 181-181.7 has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed in 2021.

Five further blowdowns remain on the Deer Springs Trail portion of the PCT (Miles 183-185), some of which are major obstructions, albeit with workarounds. For the first time in a decade, upper Deer Springs Trail – between the top of Marion Mountain Trail and Little Round Valley – is now clear of blowdowns, with the Trail Report having removed eight trees earlier this year, including the two major hazards at PCT Mile 185.3 that came down this past winter.

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved in July 2025, with the Trail Report clearing most of the 15 blowdowns and a PCTA volunteer crew cutting the remainder the following week.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing relatively gently (photo below) but there is still plenty of water for hikers for now. The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail clear (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) reopened in May and the dirt section has had some effective basic maintenance. The associated Dark Canyon campground is closed for the year (federal budget cuts).

For the first time in about 20 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

Willow Creek Trail is in its best condition since it was thoroughly cleared in 2020, although whitethorn urgently needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail already trimmed and cleared twice this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Storms early in 2025 brought down another 34 trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All but one were removed by the Trail Report, bringing to 162 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar remains across the trail immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead. A couple of other much more recent blowdowns are small and easily stepped over.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

After eight months of below-average precipitation to start 2025, the San Jacinto mountains have received four separate periods of excellent monsoonal and tropical rainfall since late August. San Jacinto Peak received 3.5 inches between 22nd August and 2nd September, and despite some trail erosion during intense thunderstorms, the rain pleasantly refreshed the forest and dampened hiking routes.

Moisture drawn north from former Tropical Storm Mario generated two phases of rain on Thursday 18th September 2025, totaling an additional 3.13 inches at San Jacinto Peak in less than a day, with 1.49 inches also measured in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft). I was hiking near the Peak during a spectacular afternoon thunderstorm, with 1.40 inches of rain falling at the Peak in about 40 minutes, including slushy hail above 10,000 ft. Idyllwild recorded 0.67 inch in the same storm. Earlier in the day the system produced steady rain up to 0800, with 1.34 inches measured at San Jacinto Peak, 1.39 inches in Little Round Valley, and 0.82 inch in Idyllwild.

Daytime temperatures are now forecast to remain largely around seasonal for the remainder of September, but with overnight low temperatures still tending to be above average. Further tropical rains are possible over the next week, as a disorganized possible tropical depression south of Baja California may generate more moisture flowing northwards, with intensity depending as always upon localized thunderstorm activity. Rains will briefly result in lower daytime temperatures.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway closed for scheduled annual maintenance for five weeks starting 8th September, with a tentative reopening on 13th October 2025.

Water flows markedly improved in recent days, with four different monsoonal/tropical rain events since late August. Although many key hiker water sources are temporarily flowing well, all ephemeral sources dried in the summer. Wellman’s Cienega, the pipe in Round Valley, and the creek in Little Round Valley, are flowing steadily and should now maintain useable flow well into the autumn. Ephemeral sources along Marion Mountain Trail are all dry for the first time in more than two years. Deer Springs creek dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name (and remains dry even after recent rains). The North Fork of the San Jacinto River is flowing where it crosses both Fuller Ridge and Deer Springs trails. Marion Creek is flowing steadily where it crosses the Suicide Rock Trail.

Willow Creek is flowing again where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, having dried in August. All other minor creeks that cross Willow Creek Trail remain dry however. Hidden Lake dried by the end of June (although it temporarily holds a small pond from recent rains). Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried up in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry and no longer useful for filtering. Strawberry Cienega is dry. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail was functionally dry by 1st August, but a tiny pool persists from which dogs can drink.

Full fire restrictions began on Tuesday 1st July 2025 on Forest Service lands, as described on the USFS website linked here. Campfires throughout USFS lands in the San Jacinto Mountains, including all campgrounds and yellow post sites, are prohibited.

Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak are closed indefinitely due to issues identified in a May 2025 safety inspection of Black Mountain lookout. Neither lookout will reopen before October, and regrettably it is unclear whether either will reopen this year.

Be bear aware. Although generally rarely reported, 3-5 individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past six years. Most recently, an adult-sized, light chestnut-colored bear was reliably reported from Willow Creek Trail adjacent to Skunk Cabbage Meadow on 12th July 2025. What is almost certainly the same individual has been seen in multiple locations in Fern Valley since late August (photos below). My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (available here) and one walking through our property in Idyllwild in 2018 (linked here) show two other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans at or near campsites or on trails.

Survey hikes by the Trail Report every single day throughout the year in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to various high peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically 2-3 times per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures have been predominantly above seasonal for nearly four months since 20th May, with overnight low temperatures in particular generally well above average. Although feeling pleasantly cooler compared to midsummer, temperatures have remained above seasonal for much of September, and temperature near or above seasonal will continue until late in the month.

The San Jacinto mountains received some valuable monsoonal and tropical rainfall in late August and early September, as described in detail in the previous Report (linked here). Subsequently the heaviest rainfall was on 18th September, as described above. Forecasts are currently suggesting that there may be further tropical rainfall this week, possibly accompanying thunderstorms.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Thursday 18th September 2025 at 0940 the air temperature was 46.2°F (8°C), with a windchill temperature of 35.6°F (2°C), 100% relative humidity, and a blustery due South wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 19.9 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 16th September 2025 at 1010 the air temperature was 61.0°F (16°C), with a windchill temperature of 47.5°F (9°C), 65% relative humidity, and a variable SSW wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 8.1 mph. This remarkable air temperature is a record high for the Peak in September.

At the Peak on Thursday 11th September 2025 at 0635 the air temperature was 41.8°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 30.6°F (-1°C), 21% relative humidity, and a steady SW wind sustained at 14 mph gusting to 21.9 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 10th September 2025 at 1000 the air temperature was 47.4°F (9°C), with a windchill temperature of 34.3°F (1°C), 21% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 18.7 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The established trail system was completely clear of snow by late May. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

On PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) most blowdowns have been removed but six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Lengthy sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report in May. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has ten blowdowns, none of which pose major hazards to hikers. Of the eight on the Forest Service section, several have been down for 8-10 years and reported repeatedly but with no action. The brush along Miles 181-181.7 has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed in 2021.

Five further blowdowns remain on the Deer Springs Trail portion of the PCT (Miles 183-185), some of which are major obstructions, albeit with workarounds. For the first time in a decade, upper Deer Springs Trail – between the top of Marion Mountain Trail and Little Round Valley – is now clear of blowdowns, with the Trail Report having removed eight trees earlier this year, including the two major hazards at PCT Mile 185.3 that came down this past winter.

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved in July 2025, with the Trail Report clearing most of the 15 blowdowns and a PCTA volunteer crew cutting the remainder the following week.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing relatively gently (photo below) but there is still plenty of water for hikers for now. The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail clear (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) reopened in May and the dirt section has had some effective basic maintenance. The associated Dark Canyon campground is closed for the year (federal budget cuts).

For the first time in about 20 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

Willow Creek Trail is in its best condition since it was thoroughly cleared in 2020, although whitethorn urgently needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail already trimmed and cleared twice this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Storms early in 2025 brought down another 34 trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All but one were removed by the Trail Report, bringing to 162 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar remains across the trail immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead. A couple of other much more recent blowdowns are small and easily stepped over.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

Temperatures dropped markedly starting Tuesday 2nd September, but remained above seasonal with unusually high humidity. Autumnal temperatures, i.e. seasonal for September, finally arrived starting Tuesday 9th, accompanied by fresh westerly winds and low humidity. This may only be a temporary reprieve however, with warm conditions forecast again for next week (at least 15th-19th September).

After eight months of below-average precipitation to start 2025, the San Jacinto mountains finally received some monsoonal and tropical rainfall in late August and early September, described in detail under Weather below. The rainfall totals have been satisfying – San Jacinto Peak received 3.5 inches between 22nd August and 2nd September – and despite some trail erosion during intense thunderstorms, the rain has done a great job of refreshing the forest and dampening hiking routes.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway closed for scheduled annual maintenance for five weeks starting 8th September, with a tentative reopening on 13th October 2025.

Water flows everywhere remain low – illustrated by some photos below – with ephemeral sources now dry. Recent rains have briefly augmented stream flow, but past experience suggests the effects will be short-lived, perhaps only a week or two in most locations. The descriptions below largely reflect the long-term situation, which is likely to be the default again by mid-September.

Key hiker water sources such as Wellman’s Cienega and the pipe in Round Valley are flowing gently but steadily and will now maintain useable flow into the autumn. Ephemeral sources along Marion Mountain Trail are all dry for the first time in more than two years. Deer Springs creek dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name (and remains dry even after recent rains). Flow in the creek in Little Round Valley has dropped dramatically since late July. While the creek is running briefly again, the flow is low and it may well be dry again by next week. The North Fork is dry where it crossed by Seven Pines Trail, but is flowing gently higher up where it crosses both Fuller Ridge and Deer Springs trails. Marion Creek is flowing steadily where it crosses the Suicide Rock Trail.

Willow Creek is now flowing again where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, having dried in August. All other minor creeks that cross Willow Creek Trail remain dry however. Hidden Lake had dried by the end of June (although it currently holds a small pond from recent rains). Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried up in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry and no longer useful for filtering. Strawberry Cienega is dry. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail was functionally dry by 1st August, but a tiny pool persists from which dogs can drink.

Full fire restrictions began on Tuesday 1st July 2025 on Forest Service lands, as described on the USFS website linked here. Campfires throughout USFS lands in the San Jacinto Mountains, including all campgrounds and yellow post sites, are now prohibited.

Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak are closed indefinitely due to issues identified in a May 2025 safety inspection of Black Mountain lookout. Neither lookout will reopen before October, and regrettably it is unclear whether either will reopen this year.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported in recent years, 3-5 individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past six years. One adult-sized, light chestnut-colored individual was reliably reported from Willow Creek Trail adjacent to Skunk Cabbage Meadow on 12th July 2025. What was almost certainly the same individual was seen in Fern Valley in late August (photo below). My brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (available here) and one walking through our property in Idyllwild in 2018 (linked here) show two other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans at or near campsites or on trails.

Be rattlesnake aware. Above about 5000 ft elevation, the venom of Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus [oreganus] helleri) in the San Jacinto mountains is predominantly neurotoxic, almost always fatal for dogs and sometimes for humans (see my detailed article linked here for further information describing our dogs’ survival after a July 2020 neurotoxic bite). Devil’s Slide Trail, lower Deer Springs and lower Marion Mountain trails, Suicide Rock, near Strawberry Cienega, and trails around Tahquitz Peak are frequent locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded widely up to 9350 ft (see example photos of an adult and a juvenile in a previous Report linked here). Encounters with rattlesnakes are rapidly declining with cooling temperatures in recent days, especially above 6000 ft.

Survey hikes by the Trail Report every single day throughout the year in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to various high peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically 2-3 times per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures have been generally above seasonal for three months from 20th May to 24th August, with overnight low temperatures in particular well above average, with notable heatwaves between 10th-20th June, in the second week of July, and again in both the second and third weeks of August.

The hot temperatures of the holiday weekend at the turn of the month thankfully cool starting on Tuesday 2nd September (although they remained above seasonal for the month during the first week of September). A further drop in temperatures, to average for the month, is forecast starting Tuesday 9th September.

The San Jacinto mountains received some monsoonal and tropical rainfall in late August and early September. The most recent monsoon storm was on Tuesday 2nd September when more than one inch of rain fell across the high country in just half-an-hour around 0730-0800, with lighter rain persisting until noon. I had the good fortune to be out in the thick of the storm as I hiked cautiously toward San Jacinto Peak, through trails that had (briefly) turned into whitewater creeks and with extremely vigorous thunder and lightning all around. Recorded rainfall on 2nd was 1.51 inches at San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft), 1.49 inches at Wellman’s Cienega (9300 ft), 0.70 inch at Little Round Valley (9800 ft), and 0.72 inch at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) total rainfall was an impressive 0.80 inch.

The first measurable monsoonal precipitation of the summer in these mountains fell on 22nd-25th August. Although there was some rain on all four days, the most spectacular thunderstorms were on Monday 25th August. A localized storm cell lingered over the high country in the early afternoon, initially producing heavy hail above 8900 ft on the eastern slope (photo below) and above 9600 ft on the western slope. Rainfall just that afternoon was 1.21 inches at San Jacinto Peak. The same storm storm reportedly produced over two inches of rain in just one hour in Long Valley. In contrast, rainfall in Idyllwild measured barely 0.02 inch. Total rain accumulation for the four days was 1.75 inches at San Jacinto Peak, 1.40 inches in Little Round Valley (9800 ft), 1.22 inches at the junction of Marion Mountain and Deer Springs trails (8700 ft), 0.71 inches at Wellman’s Cienega (9300 ft), and 0.43 inch at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) total rainfall was 0.25 inch, most of which fell on Saturday 23rd.

On Thursday 28th August we had a fully overcast day with many hours of light rain. This came not from monsoonal storms originating to our east, but from the remains of an offshore tropical storm to the south-west. Recorded rainfall was 0.27 inch at San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft), 0.32 inch at Wellman’s Cienega (9300 ft), and 0.25 inch at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) total rainfall was 0.11 inch.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Thursday 11th September 2025 at 0635 the air temperature was 41.8°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 30.6°F (-1°C), 21% relative humidity, and a steady SW wind sustained at 14 mph gusting to 21.9 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 10th September 2025 at 1000 the air temperature was 47.4°F (9°C), with a windchill temperature of 34.3°F (1°C), 21% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 18.7 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 9th September 2025 at 0900 the air temperature was 50.2°F (10°C), with a windchill temperature of 44.8°F (7°C), 14% relative humidity, and a cool WSW wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 8.2 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The established trail system was completely clear of snow by late May. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

Recent work has largely resolved the backlog of downed trees on PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) accumulated during years of agency neglect. Six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Lengthy sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174, but PCTA/Forest Service show little interest in improving this situation. Regrettably post-fire erosion has created a loose, rocky, and uneven tread in some parts of the same section, requiring caution in places. The trail is not passable by stock.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report in May. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has ten blowdowns, none of which pose major hazards to hikers. Of the eight on the Forest Service section, several have been down for 8-10 years and reported repeatedly but with no action. The brush between the cienega and Annie’s Junction (roughly Miles 181-181.7) has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed in 2021.

Five further blowdowns remain on the Deer Springs Trail portion of the PCT (Miles 183-185), some of which are major obstructions, albeit with workarounds. For the first time in a decade, upper Deer Springs Trail – between the top of Marion Mountain Trail and Little Round Valley – is now clear of blowdowns, with the Trail Report having removed eight trees earlier this year, including the two major hazards at PCT Mile 185.3 that came down this past winter. [About ten further trees would need to be cut to restore the original route of Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, but the State Park has shown zero interest in maintaining this trail for more than a decade. That section of trail, despite many minor workarounds, remains relatively easy to follow.]

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved in July 2025, having been in very poor condition earlier in the year. The Trail Report cleared nine of 15 blowdowns mid-month. A PCTA volunteer crew the following week largely removed the remaining six trees and undertook some brush trimming and clearing of debris.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing relatively gently (photo below) but there is still plenty of water for hikers for now. The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail clear (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) reopened in May and the dirt section has had some effective basic maintenance. The associated Dark Canyon campground is closed for the year due to federal budget issues.

For the first time in about 20 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water but this may not last beyond September (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

Willow Creek Trail is in its best condition since it was thoroughly cleared in 2020, although whitethorn urgently needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail already trimmed and cleared twice this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Storms early in 2025 brought down another 34 trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All but one were removed by the Trail Report, bringing to 162 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar remains across the trail immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead. A couple of other much more recent blowdowns are small and easily stepped over.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

UPDATE Friday 29th August 2025: in addition to the rain (and hail) described below, on Thursday 28th we had a fully overcast day with many hours of light rain. This came from the remains of an offshore tropical storm to our south-west, not from monsoonal conditions to the east. Although rainfall totals were unremarkable, the steady, wetting, drizzle did a good job of dampening trails and refreshing the forest. Recorded rainfall was 0.27 inch at San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft), 0.32 inch at Wellman’s Cienega (9300 ft), and 0.25 inch at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) total rainfall was 0.12 inch. Hot temperatures are forecast for this weekend, followed by encouraging probabilities of monsoonal thunderstorm activity every afternoon from 2nd-8th September.

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The San Jacinto mountains received their first measurable monsoonal precipitation of the summer on 22nd-25th August. There was little more than 0.02 inch on the afternoon of Friday 22nd, but rainfall on Saturday 23rd was intense at times. I experienced the best of it firsthand at San Jacinto Peak that morning with rain, periodically accompanied by impressive thunder and lightning, steady from 0900, before thinning to light drizzle about 1130. Rainfall was heaviest from 0900-1000, with 0.26 inch falling in just that hour see photo below). Further rainfall on the afternoon of Sunday 24th was highly localized, with only 0.04 inch in Idyllwild.

The most spectacular thunderstorms were on Monday 25th August. An intense storm cell lingered over the high country in the early afternoon, initially producing heavy hail above 8900 ft on the eastern slope (photo below) and above 9600 ft on the western slope. Rainfall that afternoon was a further 1.21 inches at San Jacinto Peak, and 1.02 inches at the junction of Marion Mountain and Deer Springs trails. The same storm storm reportedly produced over two inches of rain in just one hour in Long Valley. In contrast, rainfall in Idyllwild measured barely 0.02 inch.

Total rain accumulation for the four days was 1.75 inches at San Jacinto Peak, 1.40 inches in Little Round Valley (9800 ft), 1.22 inches at the junction of Marion Mountain and Deer Springs trails (8700 ft), 0.71 inches at Wellman’s Cienega (9300 ft), and 0.43 inch at Saddle Junction (8100 ft). In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) total rainfall was 0.25 inch, most of which fell on Saturday 23rd.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopened on Saturday 16th following a seven day closure for emergency maintenance. The scheduled annual maintenance closure is for five weeks from 8th September until at least 12th October 2025.

Water flows everywhere remain low – illustrated by multiple photos below – with ephemeral sources now dry. Recent rains will briefly augment stream flow, but past experience suggests the effects will be short-lived, a few days to a week in most locations. The descriptions below largely reflect the long-term situation, which is likely to be the default again by the first week of September.

Key hiker water sources such as Wellman’s Cienega and the pipe in Round Valley are flowing gently but steadily and are likely to maintain useable flow into the autumn. Ephemeral sources along Marion Mountain Trail are all dry for the first time in more than two years. Deer Springs creek dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name. Flow in the creek in Little Round Valley has dropped dramatically since late July. While the creek was running briefly again on 26th August, the day before only a few tiny pools persisted for filtering by campers. It is likely it will dry again by next week. The North Fork is completely dry where it crossed by Seven Pines Trail, but is flowing gently higher up where it crosses both Fuller Ridge and Deer Springs trails. Marion Creek is flowing steadily where it crosses the Suicide Rock Trail.

Willow Creek is now dry where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, although there are some minor pools about 100 yards downstream. All other minor creeks that cross Willow Creek Trail are also dry. Hidden Lake dried by the end of June. Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried up in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry and no longer useful for filtering. Strawberry Cienega is dry. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail was functionally dry by 1st August, but a tiny pool persists from which dogs can drink.

Full fire restrictions began on Tuesday 1st July 2025 on Forest Service lands, as described on the USFS website linked here. Campfires throughout USFS lands in the San Jacinto Mountains, including all campgrounds and yellow post sites, are now prohibited.

Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak are closed indefinitely due to issues identified in a May 2025 safety inspection of Black Mountain lookout. USFS has informed the Trail Report that Tahquitz Peak lookout may reopen by October if upgrades to its lightning conductor array are completed, but it is unlikely Black Mountain lookout will reopen this season.

Be rattlesnake aware. Above about 5000 ft elevation, the venom of Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus [oreganus] helleri) in the San Jacinto mountains is predominantly neurotoxic, almost always fatal for dogs and sometimes for humans (see my detailed article linked here for further information describing our dogs’ survival after a July 2020 neurotoxic bite). Devil’s Slide Trail, lower Deer Springs and lower Marion Mountain trails, Suicide Rock, near Strawberry Cienega, and trails around Tahquitz Peak are frequent locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded widely up to 9350 ft (see example photos of an adult and a juvenile in a previous Report linked here).

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported in recent years, at least three individually identifiable Black Bears have been in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past six years. One adult-sized, light chestnut-colored individual was reliably reported – with photographs – from Willow Creek Trail adjacent to Skunk Cabbage Meadow on 12th July 2025 (information courtesy of Mike Meyer). I photographed fresh tracks in snow on 12th February 2024 at 9000 ft near PCT Mile 180.5 (photo linked here), and my brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (available here) and one walking through our property in Idyllwild in 2018 (linked here) show two different individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans at or near campsites or on trails.

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) reopened in May and the dirt section has had some effective basic maintenance. The associated Dark Canyon campground is closed for the year due to federal budget issues.

Survey hikes by the Trail Report every single day throughout the year in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to various high peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically 2-3 times per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures have been generally above seasonal for three months from 20th May to 24th August, with notable heatwaves between 10th-20th June, in the second week of July, and again in the second and third weeks of August. Interestingly the perception among friends and neighbors in Idyllwild is of a relatively mild summer. This is perhaps due – thankfully – to the lack of severe heatwaves (e.g., temperatures pushing close to 100°F [38°C]) but sadly may simply be indicative of habituation to steadily warmer average temperatures.

Temperatures were about seasonal from 14th-19th August, but then again above seasonal until 25th, with overnight low temperatures in particular well above average. For the remainder of the month, 25th-29th at least, temperatures are expected to be about seasonal for late August.

Monsoon conditions have largely failed in the desert south-west this season, however as described above we finally experienced some rainfall in the San Jacinto mountains associated with thunderstorms on 22nd-25th August. Further rainfall is forecast as a possibility on several days in the remainder of August, most likely early- to mid-afternoon, with probabilities currently highest on Thursday 28th, and then again for 2nd-8th September (at least).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Friday 29th August 2025 at 0850 the air temperature was 48.6°F (9°C), with a windchill temperature of 38.8°F (4°C), 73% relative humidity, and a cool NNE wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 11.2 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 26th August 2025 at 0845 the air temperature was 58.5°F (15°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 47.3°F (8°C), 71% relative humidity, and a barely discernable WNW wind sustained at 1 mph gusting to 3.2 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 25th August 2025 at 0755 the air temperature was 52.3°F (11°C), with a windchill temperature of 44.8°F (7°C), 65% relative humidity, and a fresh SSE wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 15.3 mph.

At the Peak on Saturday 23rd August 2025 at 0855 the air temperature was 52.8°F (11°C), with a windchill temperature of 45.9°F (8°C), 67% relative humidity, and a pleasantly cool SE wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 16.2 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The established trail system was completely clear of snow by late May. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

Recent work has largely resolved the backlog of downed trees on PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) accumulated during 5+ years of agency neglect. Six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Lengthy sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174, but PCTA/Forest Service show little interest in improving this situation. Regrettably post-fire erosion has created a loose, rocky, and uneven tread in some parts of the same section, requiring caution in places. The trail is not passable by stock.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report in May. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has ten blowdowns, none of which pose major hazards to hikers. Of the eight on the Forest Service section, several have been down for 8-10 years and reported repeatedly but with no action. The brush between the cienega and Annie’s Junction (roughly Miles 181-181.7) has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed in 2021.

Five further blowdowns remain on the Deer Springs Trail portion of the PCT (Miles 183-185), some of which are major obstructions, albeit with workarounds. For the first time in a decade, upper Deer Springs Trail – between the top of Marion Mountain Trail and Little Round Valley – is now clear of blowdowns, with the Trail Report having removed eight trees this spring, including the two major hazards at PCT Mile 185.3 that came down this past winter. [About ten further trees would need to be cut to restore the original route of Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, but there is no prospect of that happening soon, if ever. That section of trail, despite too many minor workarounds, remains relatively easy to follow.]

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved in July 2025, having been in very poor condition earlier in the year. The Trail Report cleared nine of 15 blowdowns mid-month. A PCTA volunteer crew the following week largely removed the remaining six trees and undertook some brush trimming and clearing of debris, but sadly the opportunity was missed to comprehensively trim this trail.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing relatively poorly (photo below) but there is still plenty of water for hikers for now. The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail clear (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

For the first time in more than 15 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water but this may not last beyond August (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

Willow Creek Trail is in its best condition since it was thoroughly cleared in 2020. The four new trees that came down on the Forest Service section in January 2025 were cut in June-July. Whitethorn badly needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies, but is not as overgrown as it was in 2022-23. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail already trimmed and cleared twice this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Storms in February-March brought down another 34 trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All but one were removed in March by the Trail Report, bringing to 162 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar remains across the trail immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead. A couple of other recent blowdowns are small and easily stepped over.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.

Air quality remains mediocre in the San Jacinto mountains, although this is hardly surprising given no precipitation for months and smoke from numerous fires spreading throughout Southern California, most notably the huge Gifford Fire to our north-west. Conditions have however improved compared to mid July and earlier in August (e.g., photos in previous Report linked here).

The Rosa Fire on the south-east fringe of the San Jacinto mountains was contained by 8th August. The fire started alongside Highway 74 west of Ribbonwood just after noon on 4th August, quickly spreading to 1700 acres. Highway 74, closed for five days in the vicinity of the fire, reopened late on Friday 8th.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway closed for emergency maintenance starting Friday 8th August but is expected to reopen on Saturday 16th. The annual scheduled maintenance closure is for five weeks from 8th September until at least 12th October 2025.

Hikers should be prepared for unseasonably hot weather on 20th-24th August, with temperatures above seasonal even for midsummer. Please give considerable extra thought to route choice, start times, clothing, sun protection, and water requirements (the latter especially challenging in this dry year).

Water flows everywhere are low – illustrated by multiple photos below – with ephemeral sources now dry. Key hiker water sources such as Wellman’s Cienega and the pipe in Round Valley are flowing gently but steadily and may maintain useable flow into the autumn. Ephemeral sources along Marion Mountain Trail are all dry for the first time in more than two years. Deer Springs creek dried up in late July where it crosses the trail of the same name. Flow in the creek in Little Round Valley has dropped dramatically since late July, and while a few small pools persist for filtering by campers, it is largely dry, other than about a hundred yards in the middle of the valley (most accessible by the sign for campsite 2). The North Fork is completely dry where it crossed by Seven Pines Trail, but is flowing gently higher up where it crosses both Fuller Ridge and Deer Springs trails.

Willow Creek is now dry where it crosses the Willow Creek Trail, although there are some minor pools about 100 yards downstream. All other minor creeks that cross Willow Creek Trail are also dry. Hidden Lake dried by the end of June. Long Valley Creek is dry where it passes through Round Valley, as is the nearby creek in Tamarack Valley. Water is flowing reliably in Tahquitz Creek at PCT Mile 177 and again further downstream at the north end of Little Tahquitz Meadow (although it is dry between those two locations). The pipe in Tahquitz Meadow dried up in mid July. Skunk Cabbage Meadow creek is functionally dry and no longer useful for filtering. Strawberry Cienega is dry. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail was functionally dry by 1st August, but a tiny pool persists from which dogs can drink.

It should be clear from the paragraphs above that fire risk is currently severe. Full fire restrictions began on Tuesday 1st July 2025 on Forest Service lands, as described on the USFS website linked here. Campfires throughout USFS lands in the San Jacinto Mountains, including all campgrounds and yellow post sites, are now prohibited.

Fire lookouts at Black Mountain and Tahquitz Peak are closed indefinitely due to issues identified in a May 2025 safety inspection of Black Mountain lookout. USFS has informed the Trail Report that Tahquitz Peak lookout could reopen by September once upgrades to its lightning conductor array are completed, but there is little optimism that Black Mountain lookout will reopen this season.

Be rattlesnake aware. Above about 5000 ft elevation, the venom of Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus [oreganus] helleri) in the San Jacinto mountains is predominantly neurotoxic, almost always fatal for dogs and sometimes for humans (see my detailed article linked here for further information describing our dogs’ survival after a July 2020 neurotoxic bite). Devil’s Slide Trail, lower Deer Springs and lower Marion Mountain trails, Suicide Rock, near Strawberry Cienega, and trails around Tahquitz Peak are frequent locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded widely up to 9350 ft (see example photos of an adult and a juvenile in a previous Report linked here).

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported in recent years, at least three individually identifiable Black Bears have been in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past six years. One adult-sized, light chestnut-colored individual was reliably reported – with photographs – from Willow Creek Trail adjacent to Skunk Cabbage Meadow on 12th July 2025 (information courtesy of Mike Meyer). I photographed fresh tracks in snow on 12th February 2024 at 9000 ft near PCT Mile 180.5 (photo linked here), and my brief videos from Devil’s Slide Trail in September 2021 (available here) and one walking through our property in Idyllwild in 2018 (linked here) show two different individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans at or near campsites or on trails.

Dark Canyon Road (4S02) reopened in May and the dirt section has had some effective basic maintenance. The associated Dark Canyon campground will be closed for the year due to federal budget issues.

Survey hikes by the Trail Report every single day throughout the year in the San Jacinto mountains include multiple routes to various high peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically 2-3 times per week (more frequently during stormy weather), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures have been generally above seasonal for almost three months since 20th May, with notable heatwaves between 10th-20th June, in the second week of July, and again in the second week of August. Interestingly the perception among friends and neighbors in Idyllwild is of a relatively mild summer. This is perhaps due to the lack of severe heatwaves (e.g., temperatures pushing close to 100°F [38°C]) but sadly may simply be indicative of habituation to warmer average temperatures.

Temperatures are forecast to remain above seasonal even for midsummer until 14th August, before cooling (briefly) to about average for a few days, and then rising again by 20th.

Monsoon conditions have largely failed in the desert south-west this season, however there are currently small probabilities for rain in the forecast for 21st-25th August.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Friday 15th August 2025 at 0825 the air temperature was 48.1°F (9°C), with a windchill temperature of 43.7°F (6°C), 29% relative humidity, and a gentle WNW wind sustained at 3 mph gusting to 6.8 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 11th August 2025 at 0830 the air temperature was 60.5°F (16°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 52.9°F (12°C), 51% relative humidity, and a light SW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.3 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 8th August 2025 at 0830 the air temperature was 56.8°F (14°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 50.9°F (11°C), 37% relative humidity, and a pleasantly cool WSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14.7 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The established trail system was completely clear of snow by late May. Neither the Wolf Fire in late June nor the Rosa Fire in early August had major impacts on the trail system, although the latter did burn the southernmost 0.5 mile of the Palm Canyon trail.

Work from mid 2024 to early 2025 by various crews largely resolved the backlog of downed trees on PCT Miles 170-175 (roughly Apache Peak to Red Tahquitz) accumulated during 5+ years of agency neglect. Six trees remain to be cut around South Peak (Miles 173.5-174) of which most are significant obstructions for hikers. Lengthy sections of the trail are badly overgrown with brush and in their worst condition in decades, especially most of Miles 168-174, but PCTA/Forest Service show little interest in improving this situation. Regrettably post-fire erosion has created a loose, rocky, and uneven tread in some parts of the same section, requiring caution in places. The trail is not passable by stock.

The two large downed trees near PCT Mile 180 were removed by the Trail Report in May. The Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 180.8-183.1) has ten blowdowns, none of which pose major hazards to hikers. Of the eight on the Forest Service section, several have been down for 8-10 years and reported repeatedly but with no action. The brush between the cienega and Annie’s Junction (roughly Miles 181-181.7) has become heavily overgrown since it was last trimmed in 2021.

Five further blowdowns remain on the Deer Springs Trail portion of the PCT (Miles 183-185), some of which are major obstructions, albeit with workarounds. For the first time in a decade, upper Deer Springs Trail – between the top of Marion Mountain Trail and Little Round Valley – is now clear of blowdowns, with the Trail Report having removed eight trees this spring, including the two major hazards at PCT Mile 185.3 that came down this past winter. [About ten further trees would need to be cut to restore the original route of Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, but there is no prospect of that happening soon, if ever. That section of trail, despite too many minor workarounds, remains relatively easy to follow.]

The maintenance condition of the Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5) section of the PCT improved in July 2025, having been in very poor condition earlier in the year. The Trail Report cleared nine of 15 blowdowns mid-month. A PCTA volunteer crew the following week largely removed the remaining six trees and undertook some brush trimming and clearing of debris, but sadly the opportunity was missed to comprehensively trim this trail.

On the Wellman Trail, Wellman’s Cienega is flowing relatively poorly (photo below) but there is still plenty of water for hikers for now. The Trail Report continues the work it started last year to keep this trail clear (after it had become badly overgrown by early 2024).

For the first time in more than 15 years Seven Pines Trail has a continuous route completely cleared of blowdown trees, with the trail also as faithful to the original route as possible. The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work nearly a decade ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with State Park and Forest Service evidently no longer maintaining the route). Since 2019 we have now removed exactly 100 downed trees – including 25 since April of this year – and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Although our work has restored this delightful trail, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without extensive experience of hiking this trail.

Black Mountain Road is open and in its typical non-graded condition, i.e. lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle. The tap at Cinco Poses Spring currently has reliable water but this may not last beyond August (located alongside the road 0.2 mile below the Boulder Basin turning).

Willow Creek Trail is in its best condition since it was thoroughly cleared in 2020. The four new trees that came down on the Forest Service section in January 2025 were cut in June-July. Whitethorn badly needs trimming again especially near the boundary between the two agencies, but is not as overgrown as it was in 2022-23. The two large trees remaining uncut in the State Park section from several years ago have easy workarounds.

The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).

An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but nine additional blowdowns have been removed since January 2025, with the trail already trimmed and cleared twice this year.

From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with skilled route-finding. My most recent 2025 survey counted 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended throughout the area.

Storms in February-March brought down another 34 trees across Spitler Peak Trail. All but one were removed in March by the Trail Report, bringing to 162 the total number of trees we have removed from this route in the past seven years. One very large burned cedar remains across the trail immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead. A couple of other recent blowdowns are small and easily stepped over.

The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.