Thankfully the challenging heatwave that had impacted much of the American west since 23rd July ameliorated around the San Jacinto mountains starting 10th August. Daytime high temperatures have now dropped to near seasonal for August, and will actually be somewhat below average for a few days this week at mid elevations. Overnight lows are forecast to be cooler this week than for the past month, but will nevertheless remain slightly above average into late August. High country temperatures are forecast to be very consistent and seasonal, i.e. feeling pleasantly cool, into late August.

Monsoonal and/or tropical precipitation remains a slim possibility on some days over the next 2-3 weeks (although so far this summer rainfall forecasts have almost universally failed in the San Jacinto mountains). Hikers should be prepared for the possibility of rapidly changing weather conditions in the high country in summer during tropical or monsoonal rains, the latter generally most prevalent in the afternoons. Thunderstorms with lightning, intense precipitation, and rapid temperature drops may occur in the high country even when such storms are not forecast for lower elevations.

At this time main springs and creeks largely continue to flow (many example photos below) although flow rates dropped dramatically in July. Ephemeral sources are now all dry, while “perennial” water sources are at low flow rates for the time of year. Key sources such as the pipe in Round Valley (current flow rate 1L/min), the North Fork crossing of Deer Springs Trail, and the creek in Little Round Valley, are flowing, but some of these sources may dry by September. Wellman’s Cienega is now flowing very weakly, especially from mid morning onwards, and filtering any significant volume of water is now extremely slow. Hidden Lake still has a tiny pool of water but will dry by early September. The Deer Springs crossing at PCT Mile 185.4 is now dry. 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). Strawberry Cienega is now functionally dry. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail is now functionally dry for hikers, but I continue to maintain a tiny pool suitable for thirsty dogs and wildlife. On the Desert Divide, Live Oak Spring is flowing gently, but both Cedar and Apache springs are very weak and should not be considered reliable.

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 long read article linked here for further information describing the unprecedented survival of our dog Anabel 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded as high as 9350 ft on Wellman Trail.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, up to six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains in the past decade, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past seven years. Of these, one with an ear tag has been here since 2017 and was seen repeatedly in 2025 (see, for example, my video from 14th September 2025 linked here). Another individual was fitted with a satellite collar in April 2026, and in just one month ranged remarkably widely from 8500 ft on the north side of San Jacinto Peak south into the Santa Rosa Mountains (thank you to CDFW for this information). There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near wilderness campsites, or on trails.

Dark Canyon campground will not reopen this year due to staffing/budget issues, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) has remained open all year.

Following superficial grading late in 2025, Black Mountain Road (4S01) is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. South Ridge Road is in poor condition (although not as bad as 2019) and generally requires a high clearance or AWD/4WD vehicle to reach the South Ridge trailhead at the top of the road.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Following temperatures largely above seasonal at all elevations since 4th July, a major heatwave persisted for nearly three weeks from 23rd July to 10th August. As is increasingly common with the heating climate, throughout the heatwave overnight low temperatures averaged 10-15°F above seasonal at mid elevations (i.e. 65-70°F in Idyllwild).

Temperatures fell markedly starting 11th August, and will actually be slightly below seasonal at mid elevations on 12th-15th. Thereafter temperatures are forecast to be largely seasonal at all elevations into late August, although overnight low temperatures will remain somewhat above average for the next two weeks.

The air temperature of 65.7°F recorded on 6th August is the highest recorded at the Peak in 2026, and is tied for the fifth highest temperature ever reliably recorded at San Jacinto Peak.

Limited monsoonal precipitation is tentatively forecast for the region on 15th-16th August. Extremely limited light rain associated with a monsoonal storm cell on the afternoon of Sunday 9th produced 0.02 inch of rain in Idyllwild, with a trace of rain (<0.01 inch) in the high country on both 10th and 11th August.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Tuesday 11th August 2026 at 0805 the air temperature was 65.1°F (18°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 54.7°F (12°C), 58% relative humidity, and a very light ESE breeze sustained at 1 mph gusting to 4.4 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 6th August 2026 at 0805 the air temperature was 65.7°F (19°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 63.5°F (18°C), 37% relative humidity, and a barely discernable ESE breeze rarely gusting to 1.6 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 3rd August 2026 at 0755 the air temperature was 58.2°F (15°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 54.1°F (12°C), 35% relative humidity, and a refreshing WSW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 13.2 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all high country trails were functionally clear of snow by late April. Current water conditions are summarized in the paragraph in the introduction above.

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Thorough trail trimming is being undertaken by the Trail Report this summer on the upper Peak Trail, where chinquapin overgrowth has not been cut back for at least a couple of decades (example photos in recent prior reports).

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring cleared Willow Creek Trail of blowdowns from this past winter. Brush trimming work was undertaken on both the USFS and State Park sections of the trail on 25th-26th July, although it was much more limited on the State Park section, and the upper switchbacks closer to Hidden Divide are now badly overgrown in places.

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 perhaps 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 several hundred 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 is marked with cairns (and subtle flagging to aid USFS work crews) and 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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026.

East from Laws the old Caramba Trail is initially heavily obscured by blowdowns and thick regrowth, but the easternmost 1.5 miles closest to Caramba camp is often well marked with cairns placed by myself and others. Much of the old trail rock work is visible in places. The first mile east of Laws is currently marked largely along the former trail route with orange flagging (for use by USFS work crews), although it is not recommended to follow this in some areas as it goes directly through blowdowns and obstructive vegetation, not around them.

Work to rehabilitate the original Caramba Trail started in June this year – combining the Trail Report, other volunteers, and Forest Service employees – almost exactly 13 years after it burned in the Mountain Fire. Unsurprisingly it is proving to be a very slow process and it is possible that a couple of years of work may be required to fully rehabilitate the old trail route. Please do not remove, move, or (as described above) attempt to follow, flagging in this area which has been placed to guide USFS work crews.

The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with the agencies evidently no longer maintaining the route). In the past seven years we have removed 101 downed trees and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Thankfully only two large blowdowns affected the trail this past winter, and both now have very easy workarounds. Although our work has restored this delightful trail to its best condition in decades, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail very 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.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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 challenging heatwave enveloping most of the American west since 23rd July persists, and is forecast to continue throughout early August, with temperatures remaining well above seasonal, even for midsummer, until 10th August. Overnight low temperatures will be 10-15°F above historical averages at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild and most trailheads) for at least two weeks. After 10th August, daytime high temperatures will drop to near seasonal, but overnight lows are forecast to remain slightly above average into mid August (at least).

Hikers must be prepared for hot weather at all elevations into the second week of August. Please give considerable extra thought to factors that will make your hike safer in such conditions, such as route choice, start time, appropriate clothing, sun protection, and hydration requirements.

Monsoonal and/or tropical precipitation is a slim possibility on some afternoons over the next 2-3 weeks (although so far this summer rainfall forecasts have largely failed). Hikers should be prepared for the possibility of rapidly changing weather conditions in the high country in summer during tropical or monsoonal rains, the latter generally most prevalent in the afternoons. Thunderstorms with lightning, intense precipitation, and rapid temperature drops may occur in the high country even when such storms are not forecast for lower elevations.

At this time main springs and creeks largely continue to flow (many example photos below) although flow rates are now dropping dramatically. Ephemeral sources are now all dry, while “perennial” water sources are at low flow rates for the time of year. Key sources such as the pipe in Round Valley, the North Fork crossing of Deer Springs Trail, and the creek in Little Round Valley, are flowing, and are expected to continue to do so throughout August (at a minimum). Wellman’s Cienega is now flowing very weakly, especially from mid morning onwards, and filtering any significant volume of water is now extremely slow. The Deer Springs crossing at PCT Mile 185.4 is very nearly functionally dry. 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). Strawberry Cienega is now functionally dry. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail is now functionally dry for hikers, but I continue to maintain a tiny pool suitable for thirsty dogs and wildlife. On the Desert Divide, Live Oak Spring is flowing gently, but both Cedar and Apache springs are weak and should not be considered reliable.

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 long read article linked here for further information describing the unprecedented survival of our dog Anabel 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded as high as 9350 ft on Wellman Trail.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, up to six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains in the past decade, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past seven years. Of these, one with an ear tag has been here since 2017 and was seen repeatedly in 2025 (see, for example, my video from 14th September 2025 linked here). Another individual was fitted with a satellite collar in April 2026, and in just one month ranged remarkably widely from 8500 ft on the north side of San Jacinto Peak south into the Santa Rosa Mountains (thank you to CDFW for this information). There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near wilderness campsites, or on trails.

Dark Canyon campground will not reopen this year due to staffing/budget issues, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) has remained open all year.

Following superficial grading late in 2025, Black Mountain Road (4S01) is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. South Ridge Road is in poor condition (although not as bad as 2019) and generally requires a high clearance or AWD/4WD vehicle to reach the South Ridge trailhead at the top of the road.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures have been around or above seasonal at all elevations for just over a month (since 4th July). A notable heatwave started Thursday 23rd July, with temperatures well above seasonal persisting throughout early August. Temperatures have been especially high from 30th July-7th August, with daytime highs approaching 100°F (38°C) in Idyllwild on 1st-3rd August. Throughout the heatwave, overnight low temperatures will average 10-15°F above seasonal at mid elevations (i.e. 65-70°F in Idyllwild). Limited monsoonal precipitation is tentatively forecast for the region on 6th-10th August, and possibly again around mid month.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Thursday 6th August 2026 at 0805 the air temperature was 65.7°F (19°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 63.5°F (18°C), 37% relative humidity, and a barely discernable ESE breeze rarely gusting to 1.6 mph. The air temperature of 65.7°F is the highest recorded at the Peak in 2026, and is tied for the fifth highest temperature ever reliably recorded at San Jacinto Peak.

At the Peak on Monday 3rd August 2026 at 0755 the air temperature was 58.2°F (15°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 54.1°F (12°C), 35% relative humidity, and a refreshing WSW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 13.2 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 31st July 2026 at 0735 the air temperature was 61.0°F (16°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 56.5°F (13°C), 27% relative humidity, and a steady SE wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 10.0 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 27th July 2026 at 0815 the air temperature was 54.6°F (13°C), with a windchill temperature of 47.3°F (8.5°C), 45% relative humidity, and a stiff SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 23.6 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all high country trails were functionally clear of snow by late April.

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Thorough trail trimming is being undertaken by the Trail Report this summer on the upper Peak Trail, where chinquapin overgrowth has not been cut back for at least a couple of decades (example photos below).

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring cleared Willow Creek Trail of blowdowns from this past winter. Brush trimming work was undertaken on both the USFS and State Park sections of the trail on 25th-26th July.

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 perhaps 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 several hundred 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 is marked with cairns (and subtle flagging to aid USFS work crews) and 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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026.

East from Laws the old Caramba Trail is initially heavily obscured by blowdowns and thick regrowth, but the easternmost 1.5 miles closest to Caramba camp is often well marked with cairns placed by myself and others. Much of the old trail rock work is visible in places. The first mile east of Laws is currently marked largely along the former trail route with orange flagging (for use by USFS work crews), although it is not recommended to follow this in some areas as it goes directly through blowdowns and obstructive vegetation, not around them.

Work to rehabilitate the original Caramba Trail started in June this year – combining the Trail Report, other volunteers, and Forest Service employees – almost exactly 13 years after it burned in the Mountain Fire. Unsurprisingly it is proving to be a very slow process and it is possible that a couple of years of work may be required to fully rehabilitate the old trail route. Please do not remove, move, or (as described above) attempt to follow, flagging in this area which has been placed to guide USFS work crews.

The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with the agencies evidently no longer maintaining the route). In the past seven years we have removed 101 downed trees and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Thankfully only two large blowdowns affected the trail this past winter, and both now have very easy workarounds. Although our work has restored this delightful trail to its best condition in well over 20 years, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail very 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.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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.

A challenging heatwave is forecast starting Thursday 23rd July, with temperatures above – often far above – seasonal persisting for at least ten days into the first week of August. Overnight low temperatures in particular will be 10-15°F above historical averages at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild and most trailheads) for at least two weeks.

Hikers must be prepared for hot weather at all elevations from 23rd July into early August, if choosing to hike in the mountains given the challenging conditions expected. Please give considerable extra thought to factors that will make the hike safer, such as route choice, start time, appropriate clothing, sun protection, and hydration requirements.

Monsoonal and/or tropical precipitation is tentatively forecast on some afternoons over the next 2-3 weeks. Hikers should be prepared for the possibility of rapidly changing weather conditions in the high country in summer during tropical or monsoonal rains, the latter generally most prevalent in the afternoons. Thunderstorms with lightning, intense precipitation, and rapid temperature drops may occur in the high country even when such storms are not forecast for lower elevations.

At this time main springs and creeks largely continue to flow (many example photos below) and water availability is not generally a major issue for campers or hikers. Ephemeral sources are now all functionally dry, while “perennial” water sources are at low flow rates for the time of year. Key sources such as Wellman’s Cienega, the pipe in Round Valley, the Deer Springs and North Fork crossing of Deer Springs Trail, and the creek in Little Round Valley, are flowing, and are expected to continue to do so into August (at a minimum). 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). Strawberry Cienega is damp but with no reliable water source from which to filter. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail continues to just trickle. On the Desert Divide, Live Oak, Cedar, and Apache springs are all flowing gently.

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 long read article linked here for further information describing the unprecedented survival of our dog Anabel 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded as high as 9350 ft on Wellman Trail.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, up to six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains in the past decade, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past seven years. Of these, one with an ear tag has been here since 2017 and was seen repeatedly in 2025 (see, for example, my video from 14th September 2025 linked here). Another individual was fitted with a satellite collar in April 2026, and in just one month ranged remarkably widely from 8500 ft on the north side of San Jacinto Peak south into the Santa Rosa Mountains (thank you to CDFW for this information). There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near wilderness campsites, or on trails.

Dark Canyon campground will not reopen this year due to staffing/budget issues, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) has remained open all year.

Following superficial grading late in 2025, Black Mountain Road (4S01) is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. South Ridge Road is in poor condition (although not as bad as 2019) and generally requires a high clearance or AWD/4WD vehicle to reach the South Ridge trailhead at the top of the road.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Following relatively cool weather for the first couple of days of July, temperatures have been generally around or somewhat above seasonal at all elevations since 4th. A notable heatwave is forecast starting Thursday 23rd July, with temperatures well above seasonal likely to persist into early August. Overnight low temperatures are expected to be 10-15°F above seasonal at mid elevations for the last ten days of the month.

Monsoonal and/or tropical precipitation is tentatively forecast for the region on 23rd-24th July (at least). Light monsoonal rain on Monday 13th July generated 0.16 inch at San Jacinto Peak, 0.15 inch in Little Round Valley, an impressive (but highly localized) 0.35 inch at Wellman’s Cienega at 9300 ft, but only 0.06 inch in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft).

The air temperature of 64.6°F (18°C) recorded at San Jacinto Peak on Thursday 9th July was the warmest day recorded at that location in 2026 to date, and is tied for the sixth highest air temperature ever reliably recorded at the Peak.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Thursday 23rd July 2026 at 0755 the air temperature was 61.4°F (16°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 54.7°F (12°C), 59% relative humidity, and a pleasantly cooling ESE wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 12.3 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 20th July 2026 at 0820 the air temperature was 53.5°F (12°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 49.6°F (10°C), 78% relative humidity, and a light ENE breeze sustained at 3 mph gusting to 6.5 mph, under almost completely cloudy skies (with a cloud base near 11,500 ft).

At the Peak on Friday 17th July 2026 at 0800 the air temperature was 51.7°F (10°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 46.6°F (8°C), 72% relative humidity, and a steady SW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.1 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 16th July 2026 at 0825 the air temperature was 63.8°F (18°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 55.1°F (12°C), 63% relative humidity, and an occasionally gusty SSW breeze sustained at 1 mph gusting to 12.2 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all high country trails were functionally clear of snow by late April.

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring has Willow Creek Trail clear of blowdowns from this past winter. Brush trimming work is scheduled on both the USFS and State Park sections of the trail in the last week of July.

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 perhaps 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 several hundred 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 is marked with cairns (and subtle flagging to aid USFS work crews) and 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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026.

East from Laws the old Caramba Trail is initially heavily obscured by blowdowns and thick regrowth, but the easternmost 1.5 miles closest to Caramba camp is often well marked with cairns placed by myself and others. Much of the old trail rock work is visible in places. The first mile east of Laws is currently marked largely along the former trail route with orange flagging (for use by USFS work crews), although it is not recommended to follow this in some areas as it goes directly through blowdowns and obstructive vegetation, not around them.

Work to rehabilitate the original Caramba Trail started in June this year – combining the Trail Report, other volunteers, and Forest Service employees – almost exactly 13 years after it burned in the Mountain Fire. Unsurprisingly it is proving to be a very slow process and it is possible that a couple of years of work may be required to fully rehabilitate the old trail route. Please do not remove, move, or (as described above) attempt to follow, flagging in this area which has been placed to guide USFS work crews.

The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with the agencies evidently no longer maintaining the route). In the past seven years we have removed 101 downed trees and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Thankfully only two large blowdowns affected the trail this past winter, and both now have very easy workarounds. Although our work has restored this delightful trail to its best condition in well over 20 years, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail very 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.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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.

Monsoonal and/or tropical precipitation is tentatively forecast for the region on several days between 12th-25th July, currently most likely on 22nd-25th. Hikers should be prepared for the possibility of rapidly changing weather conditions in the high country in summer during tropical or monsoonal rains, the latter generally most prevalent in the afternoons. Thunderstorms with lightning, intense precipitation, and rapid temperature drops can occur in the high country even when such storms are not forecast for lower elevations.

After relatively cool weather in the first few days of July, midsummer temperatures returned from 4th onwards, and hikers should be prepared for seasonally hot weather, but temperatures above average on 15th-16th. Please give considerable extra thought to route choice, start times, clothing, sun protection, and hydration requirements (the latter especially if your planned route does not intersect with known water sources).

The air temperature of 64.6°F (18°C) recorded at San Jacinto Peak on Thursday 9th July was by far the warmest day recorded at that location in 2026 to date, and is tied for the sixth highest air temperature ever reliably recorded at the Peak. Temperatures will generally average cooler at the highest elevations for the next two weeks due to periodic cloud and stormy weather in the region.

At this time main springs and creeks continue to flow (example photos below) and water availability is not generally a significant issue for campers or hikers. Ephemeral sources are now all functionally dry, while “perennial” water sources are at low flow rates for the time of year. Key sources such as Wellman’s Cienega, the pipe in Round Valley, the Deer Springs and North Fork crossing of Deer Springs Trail, and the creek in Little Round Valley, are flowing, and are expected to continue to do so throughout July (at a minimum). 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). Strawberry Cienega is damp but with no reliable water source from which to filter. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail continues to just trickle. On the Desert Divide, Live Oak, Cedar, and Apache springs are all flowing gently.

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 long read article linked here for further information describing the unprecedented survival of our dog Anabel 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded as high as 9350 ft on Wellman Trail.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, up to six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains in the past decade, and I have personally seen at least one annually for the past seven years. Of these, one with an ear tag has been here since 2017 and was seen repeatedly in 2025 (see my video from 14th September 2025 linked here). Another individual has had a satellite collar since April 2026, and in just one month ranged remarkably widely from 8500 ft on the north side of San Jacinto Peak south into the Santa Rosa Mountains (thank you to CDFW for this information). There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near wilderness campsites, or on trails.

Dark Canyon campground will not reopen this year due to staffing/budget issues, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) has remained open all year.

Following superficial grading late in 2025, Black Mountain Road (4S01) is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. South Ridge Road is in poor condition (although not as bad as 2019) and generally requires a high clearance or AWD/4WD vehicle to reach the South Ridge trailhead at the top of the road.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Following relatively cool weather for the first couple of days of July, temperatures have since been seasonal or well above seasonal at all elevations. Temperature are forecast to be especially hot around Wednesday 15th July.

There are possibilities for light monsoonal/tropical precipitation any day in the next two weeks, but most likely next week, around 21st-25th July. Although forecast to be light, the rain may be associated with thunderstorms, and therefore could be intense and highly localized.

Light monsoonal rain on Monday 13th July generated 0.16 inch at San Jacinto Peak, 0.15 inch in Little Round Valley, an impressive (but highly localized) 0.35 inch at Wellman’s Cienega at 9300 ft, but only 0.06 inch in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft).

With cloudy and potentially stormy weather, daytime high temperatures will average a little cooler for the remainder of July than on 5th-10th, however overnight low temperatures are expected to be consistently 5-10°F above average due to the humidity and the heat trapping effect of the cloud. Due to changes in the upper atmosphere, higher elevations (>9000 ft) are often disproportionately cooler than mid elevations during periods of monsoonal/tropical conditions.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Friday 17th July 2026 at 0800 the air temperature was 51.7°F (10°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 46.6°F (8°C), 72% relative humidity, and a steady SW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.1 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 16th July 2026 at 0825 the air temperature was 63.8°F (18°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 55.1°F (12°C), 63% relative humidity, and an occasionally gusty SSW breeze sustained at 1 mph gusting to 12.2 mph.

At the Peak on Sunday 12th July 2026 at 0830 the air temperature was 51.6°F (11°C), with a windchill temperature of 43.2°F (6°C), 78% relative humidity, and a pleasantly cool SE breeze sustained at 8 mph gusting to 16.4 mph. Occasional very light drizzle accompanied heavily overcast skies.

At the Peak on Thursday 9th July 2026 at 0810 the air temperature was 64.6°F (18°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 62.4°F (17°C), 13% relative humidity, and a very light WNW breeze sustained at 2 mph gusting to 4.0 mph. This was by far the warmest day recorded at the Peak in 2026 at that time, and also the sixth highest air temperature ever reliably recorded at San Jacinto Peak.

At the Peak on Monday 6th July 2026 at 0815 the air temperature was 53.7°F (12°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 47.7°F (9°C), 56% relative humidity, and an erratic SSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 13.4 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all high country trails were functionally clear of snow by late April.

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring has Willow Creek Trail clear of blowdowns from this past winter.

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 perhaps 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 several hundred 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 is marked with cairns (and subtle flagging to aid USFS work crews) and 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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026.

East from Laws the old Caramba Trail is initially heavily obscured by blowdowns and thick regrowth, but the easternmost 1.5 miles closest to Caramba camp is often well marked with cairns placed by myself and others. Much of the old trail rock work is visible in places. The first mile east of Laws is currently marked largely along the former trail route with orange flagging (for use by USFS work crews), although it is not recommended to follow this in some areas as it goes directly through blowdowns and obstructive vegetation, not around them.

Work to rehabilitate the original Caramba Trail started in June this year – combining the Trail Report, other volunteers, and Forest Service employees – almost exactly 13 years after it burned in the Mountain Fire. Unsurprisingly it is proving to be a very slow process and it is possible that a couple of years of work may be required to fully rehabilitate the old trail route. Please do not remove, move, or (as described above) attempt to follow, flagging in this area which has been placed to guide USFS work crews.

The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with the agencies evidently no longer maintaining the route). In the past seven years we have removed 101 downed trees and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Thankfully only two large blowdowns affected the trail this past winter, and both now have very easy workarounds. Although our work has restored this delightful trail to its best condition in well over 20 years, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail very 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.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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.

After relatively cool weather in late June into early July, midsummer temperatures returned from 4th July onwards, and hikers should be prepared for hot weather, especially on 8th-11th and 14th-16th. Please give considerable extra thought to route choice, start times, clothing, sun protection, and hydration requirements (the latter especially if your planned route does not intersect with known water sources).

The air temperature of 64.6°F (18°C) recorded at San Jacinto Peak on Thursday 9th July was by far the warmest day recorded at that location in 2026 to date, and is tied for the sixth highest air temperature ever reliably recorded at the Peak.

Monsoonal and/or tropical precipitation is tentatively forecast to impact the region on 13th-18th July, currently most likely on 13th and around 17th. Hikers should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions in the high country in summer during tropical or monsoonal rains, the latter typically in the afternoons. Thunderstorms with lightning, intense precipitation, and rapid temperature drops can occur in the high country even when such storms are not forecast for lower elevations.

At this time main springs and creeks continue to flow (example photos below) and water availability is not generally a significant issue for campers or hikers. Ephemeral sources are now all functionally dry, while “perennial” water sources are at low flow rates for the time of year. Key sources such as Wellman’s Cienega, the pipe in Round Valley, the Deer Springs and North Fork crossing of Deer Springs Trail, and the creek in Little Round Valley, are flowing, and are expected to continue to do so throughout July (at a minimum). 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). Strawberry Cienega is damp but with no reliable water source from which to filter. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail continues to just trickle. On the Desert Divide, Live Oak, Cedar, and Apache springs are all flowing gently.

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 long read article linked here for further information describing the unprecedented survival of our dog Anabel 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded as high as 9350 ft on Wellman Trail.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, up to six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have seen at least one annually for the past seven years. One 10+ year-old dark chestnut-colored adult with a right ear tag was seen multiple times between Fern Valley and the Willow Creek drainage in July-September 2025 (see for example my video from 14th September available here). This individual was relocated to the San Jacintos from Indio in May 2017. A smaller, paler, six-year-old individual was trapped at the State Park Stone Creek campground in April 2026 and fitted with a satellite collar plus colored tags in both ears. In May it ranged remarkably widely from 8500 ft on the north side of San Jacinto Peak to south of Highway 74 into the northernmost Santa Rosa Mountains (thank you to CDFW for this information). 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) likely show other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near wilderness campsites, or on trails.

Dark Canyon campground will not reopen this year due to staffing/budget issues, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) has remained open all year.

Following superficial grading late in 2025, Black Mountain Road (4S01) is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. South Ridge Road is in poor condition (although not as bad as 2019) and generally requires a high clearance or AWD/4WD vehicle to reach the South Ridge trailhead at the top of the road.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures were generally pleasantly cool for the second half of June, other than some brief warming on 23rd-25th when temperatures were more typical of midsummer. The first half of July is forecast to again be hotter, with temperatures generally above average for midsummer, especially in the second week of the month at higher elevations. There is an increasing possibility of the first tropical precipitation of the season in the afternoons of 12th-17th July. Although forecast to be light, the rain may be associated with thunderstorms, and therefore can be locally and briefly intense.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Thursday 9th July 2026 at 0810 the air temperature was 64.6°F (18°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 62.4°F (17°C), 13% relative humidity, and a very light WNW breeze sustained at 2 mph gusting to 4.0 mph. This was by far the warmest day recorded at the Peak in 2026 to date, and is the sixth highest air temperature ever reliably recorded at San Jacinto Peak.

At the Peak on Monday 6th July 2026 at 0815 the air temperature was 53.7°F (12°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 47.7°F (9°C), 56% relative humidity, and an erratic SSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 13.4 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 2nd July 2026 at 0835 the air temperature was 47.5°F (9°C), with a windchill temperature of 39.6°F (4°C), 21% relative humidity, and a steady due West wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 12.7 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all high country trails were functionally clear of snow by late April.

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring has Willow Creek Trail clear of blowdowns from this past winter.

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 perhaps 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 several hundred 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 is marked with cairns (and subtle flagging to aid USFS work crews) and 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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026.

East from Laws the old Caramba Trail is initially heavily obscured by blowdowns and thick regrowth, but the easternmost 1.5 miles closest to Caramba camp is often well marked with cairns placed by myself and others. Much of the old trail rock work is visible in places. The first mile east of Laws is currently marked largely along the former trail route with orange flagging (for use by USFS work crews), although it is not recommended to follow this in some areas as it goes directly through blowdowns and obstructive vegetation, not around them.

Work to rehabilitate the original Caramba Trail started in June this year – combining the Trail Report, other volunteers, and Forest Service employees – almost exactly 13 years after it burned in the Mountain Fire. Unsurprisingly it is proving to be a very slow process and it is possible that at least two years of work may be required to fully rehabilitate the old trail route. Please do not remove, move, or (as described above) attempt to follow, flagging in this area which has been placed to guide USFS work crews.

The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with the agencies evidently no longer maintaining the route). In the past seven years we have removed 101 downed trees and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Thankfully only two large blowdowns affected the trail this past winter, and both now have very easy workarounds. Although our work has restored this delightful trail to its best condition in well over 20 years, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail very 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.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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.

Temperatures in the second week of June were above average for the month, but since then cooler, seasonal temperatures have prevailed. Although broadly seasonal temperatures for June are forecast to continue for the remainder of the month, hikers should generally be prepared for hot weather, especially on 23rd-25th June and in the first week of July, when temperatures are forecast to be briefly much warmer. Please give extra thought to route choice, start times, clothing, sun protection, and hydration requirements (the latter only if your planned route does not intersect with known water sources).

At this time main springs and creeks continue to flow (some example photos below) and water availability is not generally a significant issue for campers or hikers. Ephemeral sources are almost universally dry however, and all “perennial” water sources are at low flow rates for early summer. Key sources such as Wellman’s Cienega, the pipe in Round Valley, the Deer Springs and North Fork crossing of Deer Springs Trail, and the creek in Little Round Valley, are flowing. 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). Strawberry Cienega is damp but with no reliable water source from which to filter. Middle Spring on Devil’s Slide Trail continues to just trickle. On the Desert Divide, Live Oak, Cedar, and Apache springs are all flowing moderately.

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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, up to six individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have seen at least one annually for the past seven years. One 10+ year-old dark chestnut-colored adult with a right ear tag was seen multiple times between Fern Valley and the Willow Creek drainage in July-September 2025 (see my video from 14th September available here, and images from late August in a prior Report linked here). This individual was relocated to the San Jacintos from Indio in May 2017. A smaller, paler, six-year-old individual was trapped at the State Park Stone Creek campground in April 2026 and fitted with a satellite collar plus colored tags in both ears. In May it ranged remarkably widely from 8500 ft on the north side of San Jacinto Peak to south of Highway 74 into the northernmost Santa Rosa Mountains (thank you to CDFW for this information). 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) likely show other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near wilderness campsites, or on trails.

Dark Canyon campground will not reopen this year due to staffing/budget issues, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) has remained open all year.

Following superficial grading late in 2025, Black Mountain Road (4S01) is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. South Ridge Road is in poor condition (although not as bad as 2019) and generally requires a high clearance or AWD/4WD vehicle to reach the South Ridge trailhead at the top of the road.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures were largely above seasonal for the first half of June, but have been pleasantly cool since 17th. Warming on 23rd-25th June will briefly result in temperatures more typical of midsummer, especially at mid elevations, before dropping back for the final four days of June to below seasonal. Above 10,000 ft elevation temperatures will remain somewhat consistent for the remainder of the month, feeling relatively cool. The first week of July is forecast to again be hotter, with temperatures more typical of midsummer. There is, unsurprisingly, no significant new precipitation in the forecasts.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Wednesday 24th June 2026 at 0755 the air temperature was 50.4°F (10°C), with a windchill temperature of 43.2°F (6°C), 73% relative humidity, and a steady SW wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 15.1 mph. Overnight drizzle measured 0.02 inch at the Peak.

At the Peak on Sunday 21st June 2026 at 0725 the air temperature was 51.6°F (11°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 46.8°F (8°C), 10% relative humidity, and a light WSW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.5 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 16th June 2026 at 0745 the air temperature was 54.1°F (12°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 48.2°F (9°C), 59% relative humidity, and a pleasantly cool SSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 13.2 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all high country trails were functionally clear of snow by late April.

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring has Willow Creek Trail clear of blowdowns from this past winter.

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 perhaps 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 several hundred 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 is marked with cairns (and subtle flagging to aid USFS work crews) and 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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026.

East from Laws the old Caramba Trail is initially heavily obscured by blowdowns and thick regrowth, but the easternmost 1.5 miles closest to Caramba camp is often well marked with cairns placed by myself and others. Much of the old trail rock work is visible in places. The first mile east of Laws is currently marked largely along the former trail route with orange flagging, although it is not recommended to follow this in some areas as it goes directly through blowdowns and obstructive vegetation (not around them).

Work to rehabilitate the original Caramba Trail started in June – combining the Trail Report, other volunteers, and Forest Service employees – almost exactly 13 years after it burned in the Mountain Fire. It is possible that two years of work may be required to fully rehabilitate the old trail route. Please do not remove, move, or (as described above) attempt to follow, any flagging in this area which has been placed for USFS work crews to follow.

The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with the agencies evidently no longer maintaining the route). In the past seven years we have removed 101 downed trees and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Thankfully only two large blowdowns affected the trail this past winter, and both now have very easy workarounds. Although our work has restored this delightful trail to its best condition in well over 20 years, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail very 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.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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.

Temperatures on 10th-16th June were more typical of midsummer, and above average for the month. Although cooler, seasonal temperatures are forecast for 18th-21st, hikers should generally be prepared for hot weather, especially from 22nd June onwards. Please give considerable extra thought to route choice, start times, clothing, sun protection, and hydration requirements (the latter only if your planned route does not intersect with known water sources).

At this time main springs and creeks continue to flow and water availability is not generally a significant issue for campers or hikers (multiple example photos below). Many ephemeral sources are already dry however, and many “perennial” water sources are at low flow rates. The four very minor precipitation events since early March had no impact on medium- and long-term water conditions.

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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, 5-6 individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have seen at least one annually for the past seven years. One 10+ year-old dark chestnut-colored adult with a right ear tag was seen multiple times between Fern Valley and the Willow Creek drainage in July-September 2025 (see my video from 14th September available here, and images from late August in a prior Report linked here). This individual was relocated to the San Jacintos from Indio in May 2017. A smaller, paler, six-year-old individual was trapped at the State Park Stone Creek campground in April 2026 and fitted with a satellite collar plus colored tags in both ears. In May it ranged remarkably widely from 8500 ft on the north side of San Jacinto Peak to south of Highway 74 into the northernmost Santa Rosa Mountains (thank you to CDFW for this information). 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) likely show other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near wilderness campsites, or on trails.

Dark Canyon campground is not expected to reopen this year due to staffing/budget issues, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) remains open.

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) reopened on Wednesday 20th May. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, immovable models in March.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

With multiple waves of low pressure during May, that month was often pleasantly cool, with temperatures frequently somewhat below seasonal. Since the beginning of June, temperatures have been largely near or above seasonal, and temperatures are forecast to warm further for the next week (to at least 16th) to well above seasonal, with overnight low temperatures at mid elevations in particular well above seasonal for mid June. There is, unsurprisingly, no significant new precipitation in the forecasts.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Tuesday 16th June 2026 at 0745 the air temperature was 54.1°F (12°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 48.2°F (9°C), 59% relative humidity, and a pleasantly cool SSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 13.2 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 12th June 2026 at 0610 the air temperature was 51.6°F (11°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 47.1°F (8°C), 56% relative humidity, and a light SSE wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 8.4 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 9th June 2026 at 0915 the air temperature was 50.1°F (10°C), with a windchill temperature of 43.5°F (6°C), 57% relative humidity, and a steady WNW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 11.4 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all high country trails were functionally clear of snow by late April.

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring has Willow Creek Trail clear of blowdowns from this past winter.

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 perhaps 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 several hundred 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 is marked with cairns (and subtle flagging to aid USFS work crews) and 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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026.

East from Laws the old Caramba Trail is initially heavily obscured by blowdowns and thick regrowth, but the easternmost 1.5 miles closest to Caramba camp is often well marked with cairns placed by myself and others. Much of the old trail rock work is visible in places. The first mile east of Laws is currently marked largely along the former trail route with orange flagging, although it is not recommended to follow this in some areas as it goes directly through blowdowns and obstructive vegetation (not around them).

Work to rehabilitate the original Caramba Trail starts this month – combining the Trail Report, other volunteers, and Forest Service employees – almost exactly 13 years after it burned in the Mountain Fire. Two years of work may be required to fully rehabilitate the old trail route. Please do not remove, move, or (as described above) attempt to follow, any flagging in this area which is critical for USFS work crews.

The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with the agencies evidently no longer maintaining the route). In the past seven years we have removed 101 downed trees and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Thankfully only two large blowdowns affected the trail this past winter, and both now have very easy workarounds. Although our work has restored this delightful trail to its best condition in well over 20 years, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail very 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.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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 last of three brief, weak low pressure systems across Southern California in May produced pleasantly cool conditions on 26th-30th, but sadly again there was no measurable accompanying precipitation above 5000 ft. Temperatures have now abruptly risen to above seasonal for the first few days of June at all elevations (especially overnight low temperatures). Temperatures are forecast to fluctuate either side of June averages in the second week of the month at mid elevations, but are tentatively forecast to be well above seasonal at higher elevations.

At this time main springs and creeks are flowing and water availability is not a significant issue for campers or long distance hikers (multiple example photos below). It is disconcerting however to see all ephemeral and many “perennial” water sources already at low flow rates, and the four very minor precipitation events since early March did nothing to improve medium- and long-term water conditions.

Fire lookouts at Tahquitz Peak and Black Mountain reopened on Sunday 17th May and Saturday 23rd May, respectively. Note that the railings at Tahquitz Peak lookout are in urgent need of repair work and should not be considered safe at this time.

Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin reopened in late May. Dark Canyon campground is not expected to reopen this year due to staffing/budget issues, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) remained open all winter. The State Park Stone Creek campground reopened in early May.

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) reopened on Wednesday 20th May. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, immovable models in March.

Be rattlesnake aware. This year rattlesnakes became active 1-2 months earlier than normal at both mid and upper elevations. 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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, 5-6 individually identifiable Black Bears have been observed in the San Jacinto mountains since 2017, and I have seen at least one annually for the past seven years. One 10+ year-old dark chestnut-colored adult with a right ear tag was seen at least six times in multiple locations in Fern Valley and the Willow Creek drainage in July-September 2025 (see my video from 14th September available here, and images from late August in a prior Report linked here). This individual was relocated to the San Jacintos from Indio in May 2017. A smaller, paler, six-year-old individual was humanely trapped at the State Park Stone Creek campground in April 2026 and fitted with a satellite collar plus colored tags in both ears. In the past month it has ranged remarkably widely from 8500 ft on the north side of San Jacinto Peak to south of Highway 74 into the northernmost Santa Rosa Mountains (thank you to CDFW for this information). 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) may show other individuals. There have been no reports of negative interactions with humans in the high country, at or near wilderness 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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

High pressure returned to the region by the second week of May, with temperatures consequently rising rapidly to above seasonal, and were far above seasonal for May on 10th-12th, before dropping markedly on 16th-18th as low pressure again briefly impacted Southern California. Temperatures were then around seasonal for a week before another brief trough of lower pressure cools conditions significantly on 26th-30th May. There is, unsurprisingly, no significant new precipitation in the forecasts. Above seasonal midsummer temperatures are forecast for the first week of June, with overnight low temperatures at mid elevations in particular well above seasonal for June. Thereafter temperatures closer to seasonal for the month are forecast until mid June.

Winter 2025/26 set a new low record for total snowfall for San Jacinto Peak, at a paltry 62.75 inches. Most regrettably, this breaks the prior record of 72.60 inches set just the previous 2024/25 winter. For reference, average annual snowfall at San Jacinto Peak in the past eight winters has been 104 inches. Average annual snowfall in Long Valley (at 8500 ft) was 119 inches in the 1970s (data for 1969-1980), at which time snowfall at San Jacinto Peak was approximately 180-200 inches annually.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Friday 5th June 2026 at 0815 the air temperature was 49.7°F (10°C), with a windchill temperature of 40.3°F (5°C), 29% relative humidity, and a stiff SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 26.0 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 1st June 2026 at 0810 the air temperature was 42.5°F (6°C), with a windchill temperature of 36.1°F (2°C), 38% relative humidity, and a mild SE wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 10.2 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 29th May 2026 at 0820 the air temperature was 31.0°F (-1°C), with a windchill temperature of 19.6°F (-7°C), 69% relative humidity, and a fresh NW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 10.1 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all high country trails are clear of snow (almost all were clear by late April).

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring has Willow Creek Trail clear of blowdowns from this past winter, with the final four trees remaining on the State Park side removed last week.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in strong winds that accompanied mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

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 perhaps 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 several hundred 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 is marked with cairns (and subtle flagging to aid USFS work crews) and 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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026.

East from Laws the old Caramba Trail is initially heavily obscured by blowdowns and thick regrowth, but the easternmost 1.5 miles closest to Caramba camp is often well marked with cairns placed by myself and others. Much of the old trail rock work is visible in places. The first mile east of Laws is currently marked along the former trail route with orange flagging, although it is not recommended to follow this in most areas as it goes directly through blowdowns and obstructive vegetation (not around them).

Work to rehabilitate the original Caramba Trail starts in June 2026 – combining the Trail Report, other volunteers, and Forest Service employees – almost exactly 13 years after it burned in the Mountain Fire. Two years of work may be required to fully rehabilitate the old trail route. Please do not remove, move, or attempt to follow, any flagging in this area which is critical for USFS work crews.

The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues (with the agencies evidently no longer maintaining the route). In the past seven years we have removed 101 downed trees and the trail is largely trimmed and cleared annually. Thankfully only two large blowdowns affected the trail this past winter, and both now have very easy workarounds. Although our work has restored this delightful trail to its best condition in well over 20 years, Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail very 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.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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 brief passage of weak low pressure across Southern California in mid May produced pleasantly cool, spring-like conditions on 16th-18th May, but with no significant accompanying precipitation above 5000 ft. Temperatures returned to around seasonal starting Tuesday 19th May, and are forecast to remain broadly stable for the remainder of May (but coolest on 26th-28th).

High country trails, including the PCT, were clear of snow by the end of April. No traction devices have been required anywhere on the trail system in the San Jacinto mountains since late April.

At this time main springs and creeks are flowing and water availability is not a significant issue for campers or long distance hikers. It is disconcerting however to see all ephemeral and many “perennial” water sources already at low flow rates, and the four very minor precipitation events in April-May did nothing to improve the medium- and long-term water conditions.

The fire lookout at Tahquitz Peak reopened for the season on Sunday 17th May and Black Mountain fire lookout reopens on Saturday 23rd May. Note that the railings at Tahquitz Peak lookout are in urgent need of repair work and should not be considered safe at this time.

Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin reopened by Thursday 21st May. There is no scheduled reopening date for Dark Canyon campground at this time, although Dark Canyon Road (the access to Seven Pines trailhead) has remained open all winter. The State Park Stone Creek campground reopened in early May.

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) reopened on Wednesday 20th May. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, immovable models in March.

Be rattlesnake aware. This year rattlesnakes became active 1-2 months earlier than normal at both mid and upper elevations. 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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft.

Be bear aware. Although rarely reported, 5-6 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. One large, dark chestnut-colored adult with a right ear tag was seen at least six times in multiple locations in Fern Valley and the Willow Creek drainage in July-September 2025 (see my video from 14th September available here, and images from late August in a prior Report linked here). This individual was relocated to the San Jacintos from Indio in May 2017. A smaller, much younger individual was humanely trapped at the State Park Stone Creek campground in April 2026, fitted with a satellite collar plus colored tags in both ears, and released elsewhere in the San Jacinto mountains. 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 wilderness 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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

High pressure returned to the region by the second week of May, with temperatures consequently rising rapidly to above seasonal, and were far above seasonal for May on 10th-12th, before dropping markedly on 16th-18th as low pressure again briefly impacted Southern California. Temperatures are now forecast to rise and stabilize roughly around seasonal for the remainder of May under a moderate ridge of high pressure. Temperatures will be coolest on 26th-28th May under a brief trough of lower pressure. There is, unsurprisingly, no new precipitation in the forecasts.

Barring a highly improbable and very late snow, winter 2025/26 will set a new low record for total snowfall for San Jacinto Peak, at a paltry 62.75 inches. Most regrettably, this breaks the prior record of 72.60 inches set just the previous winter 2024/25. For reference, average annual snowfall at San Jacinto Peak in the past eight winters has now been 104 inches. Average annual snowfall in Long Valley (at 8500 ft) was 119 inches in the 1970s (data for 1969-1980), at which time snowfall at San Jacinto Peak was approximately 180-200 inches annually.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Friday 22nd May 2026 at 0800 the air temperature was 44.5°F (7°C), with a windchill temperature of 36.1°F (2°C), 44% relative humidity, and a very light NNE wind sustained at 3 mph gusting to 6.5 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 18th May 2026 at 0820 the air temperature was 33.2°F (1°C), with a windchill temperature of 23.5°F (-5°C), 47% relative humidity, and a light WSW wind sustained at 3 mph gusting to 7.6 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 14th May 2026 at 1730 the air temperature was 49.2°F (10°C), with a windchill temperature of 41.9°F (5°C), 41% relative humidity, and a light NNE wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 9.1 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all major high country trails are clear of snow. This includes the often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak which is completely clear of snow and ice.

The East Ridge Trail [surveyed 22nd May] route from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak, traditionally the last of the established trails to clear of snow, is now functionally clear, with just a couple of tiny icy snow drifts persisting from February.

Deer Springs Trail from the trailhead to Little Round Valley has already been cleared of the handful of blowdowns from this past winter by the Trail Report.

Trail maintenance work by USFS and State Park volunteers this spring has Willow Creek Trail almost clear of blowdowns from this past winter. The final four trees remaining on the State Park side were scheduled to be removed this past week.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in strong winds that accompanied mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026. There is some optimism that work to rehabilitate the Caramba Trail may start in 2026, so if you see any flagging in this area please leave it in place.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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 PCT and all major high country trails were clear of snow by 30th April. No traction devices have been required anywhere on the trail system in the San Jacinto mountains since late April.

Very light precipitation on the morning of 5th May included 0.22 inch of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft), but nothing more than a hint of a dusting of snow everywhere above about 7500 ft (photo below). By mid morning, elevations above 9100 ft were above the cloud, with the emerging sunshine immediately melting any localized dustings of snow. High pressure returned to the region starting 7th May, with very warm and dry summer-like weather expected until 12th May, and above seasonal temperatures forecast to persist into late May.

At this time main springs and creeks are flowing and water availability is not a significant issue for campers or long distance hikers. It is disconcerting however to see most ephemeral and some “perennial” water sources already at low flow rates, and the four very minor precipitation events in April-May have not improved medium- and long-term water conditions.

Fire lookouts at Tahquitz Peak and Black Mountain reopen for the season on Sunday 17th May and Saturday 23rd May, respectively, having been functionally closed throughout 2025 for maintenance reasons. Note that the steps and railings at Tahquitz Peak lookout are in urgent need of major repair work, and should not be considered safe at this time. The State Park Stone Creek campground reopened this week.

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed, but will reopen mid month. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was comprehensively graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, immovable models in March.

Be rattlesnake aware. This year rattlesnakes became active 1-2 months earlier than normal at both mid and upper elevations. 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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft.

Be bear aware. Although 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. One large, dark chestnut-colored adult with a right ear tag was seen at least six times in multiple locations in Fern Valley and the Willow Creek drainage in July-September 2025 (see my video from 14th September available here, and images from late August in a prior 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.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

High pressure returns to the region this week, with temperatures consequently rising rapidly to above seasonal, and will be far above seasonal for May on 10th-12th, before dropping somewhat late next week (but remaining above seasonal). There is, predictably, no significant precipitation in the forecasts.

The last notable low pressure system impacted the region starting 25th April. Light precipitation fell primarily on the evening of 25th continuing into the early morning of 26th. A consistent accumulation of one inch of snow fell everywhere above 8000 ft elevation, with a dusting as low as 6400 ft. Rainfall in Idyllwild was an impressive 0.83 inch. Despite only modest warming, all snow from that storm had melted within a few days.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Thursday 14th May 2026 at 1730 the air temperature was 49.2°F (10°C), with a windchill temperature of 41.9°F (5°C), 41% relative humidity, and a light NNE wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 9.1 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 11th May 2026 at 0810 the air temperature was 52.6°F (11°C), with a windchill temperature of 43.9°F (6°C), 21% relative humidity, and a gusty SSW wind sustained at 9 mph gusting to 15.6 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 7th May 2026 at 0635 the air temperature was 37.4°F (3°C), with a windchill temperature of 25.2°F (-4°C), 50% relative humidity, and a steady NE wind sustained at 15 mph gusting to 19.7 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Pacific Crest Trail and all major high country trails are clear of snow. This includes the often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 10th May] which is completely clear of snow and ice.

The East Ridge Trail [surveyed 11th May] route from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak has only 10% cover of drifted snow persisting from much earlier in the season. Nevertheless in places the old trail is partly obscured by snow drifts, and cautious navigation is recommended.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 1st and 7th May] is clear of snow to San Jacinto Peak. Even in Little Round Valley, no significant snow remained by the beginning of May (photo below).

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in strong winds that accompanied mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

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). Blowdowns from this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report, and the huge pine tree that fell in late 2024 was kindly removed by Forest Service volunteers in May 2026. There is some optimism that work to rehabilitate the Caramba Trail may start in 2026, so if you see any flagging in this area please leave it in place.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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 Tuesday 5th May 2026: light and localized precipitation this morning included 0.21 inch of rain in Idyllwild (largely between 0630-1130). Although we found it snowing very gently everywhere above about 7500 ft on our hike to San Jacinto Peak, there was no measurable accumulation at any elevation. By mid morning, elevations above 9100 ft were above the cloud, melting the few localized dustings of snow. No further precipitation is forecast for the afternoon, and temperatures rise rapidly over the remainder of the week.

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The PCT and all major high country trails were clear of snow by 30th April. No traction devices are required anywhere on the trail system. Hikers heading off trail to 10,000+ ft peaks other than San Jacinto Peak may find that spikes are useful in places as significant drifts persist on the north slopes of Jean and Shirley peaks, and Marion Mountain.

The third very minor storm of April impacted the San Jacinto mountains overnight on Saturday 25th, with light precipitation persisting into mid morning on Sunday 26th. I surveyed from Idyllwild to the highest peaks that morning, ascending in light rain to 7700 ft, and then through intermittent light snow for the remainder of the morning. Snow was largely limited to about one inch depth from 8000 ft to San Jacinto Peak, but locally averaging 1.5 inches deep between 9000-10,000 ft, indicating that the highest peaks were probably above the cloud for part of the storm. Snow dusted as low as 6400 ft in Fern Valley.

Following a brief cooling on 4th-5th, persistent high pressure is forecast to return to the region starting 7th May, with warm and dry summer-like weather consequently expected.

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, modern, immovable models in March.

Be rattlesnake aware. This year rattlesnakes became active 1-2 months earlier than normal at both mid and upper elevations. 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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

A very weak low pressure system impacted the region starting 25th April. Light precipitation fell primarily on the evening of 25th continuing into the early morning of 26th April. A very consistent accumulation of just one inch of snow fell everywhere above 8000 ft elevation, with a dusting as low as 6400 ft. Snowfall reached a maximum of 1.5 inches at 8900-10,100 ft on the east slope. Snowfall was slightly lower at the highest elevations, as the peaks were above the cloud for large parts of the stormy weather. Rainfall in Idyllwild was an impressive 0.83 inch, almost all of which fell prior to 0700 on 26th.

Steady warming was a feature of the last few days of April, with temperatures peaking slightly above seasonal on 1st-2nd May. Temperatures then drop again rapidly as another minor low pressure system passes over the region on 4th-5th May, although at this time there is no significant further precipitation in the forecasts. High pressure is provisionally forecast to return by the second week of May, with the end of the “April showers” and temperatures returning to above seasonal.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Friday 1st May 2026 at 0815 the air temperature was 38.1°F (3°C), with a windchill temperature of 28.6°F (-2°C), 52% relative humidity, and a gentle NNE wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 8.4 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 28th April 2026 at 0810 the air temperature was 34.5°F (1°C), with a windchill temperature of 23.2°F (-5°C), 17% relative humidity, and a light WSW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 10.8 mph.

At the Peak on Sunday 26th April 2026 at 0920 the air temperature was 19.9°F (-7°C), with a windchill temperature of 0.1°F (-18°C), 100% relative humidity, and a stiff due West wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 25.8 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails below 8000 ft elevation are now functionally clear of snow (trails above 7000 ft were entirely under light snow cover as of the morning of 26th April, although nowhere was the average depth greater than 1.5 inches). Patchy, very thin, icy snow covers only about 10% of trails above that elevation, with rapid melting continuing over the next 2-3 days.

Spikes are not required anywhere on the PCT or high country trail system at this time.

The Pacific Crest Trail [surveyed 1st May] is now functionally clear of snow throughout the San Jacinto mountains. Snow cover is <10% between Miles 175-178. The remainder of the PCT is functionally clear of snow, including the Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5).

The often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 2nd May] is now functionally clear of snow and ice.

South Ridge Trail [surveyed 2nd May] is completely clear of snow from the South Ridge Road trailhead to Tahquitz Peak.

Devil’s Slide Trail [surveyed 1st May] is clear of snow and ice.

The Wellman Trail [surveyed 1st May] is clear of snow.

The Peak Trail [surveyed 1st May] is functionally clear of snow, with just a handful of tiny patches in the forested section at 9900-10,100 ft.

The East Ridge Trail [surveyed 1st May] route above Miller Peak has only 40% cover of drifted snow persisting from earlier in the season (generally only a few inches deep).

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 1st May] is clear of snow to San Jacinto Peak. Even in Little Round Valley, remarkably no significant snow remains (photo below).

Marion Mountain and Seven Pines trails [surveyed 1st May] are clear of snow.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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.

Light precipitation is forecast for mid elevations overnight on Saturday 25th extending into the morning of Sunday 26th, accompanied by strong winds at all elevations. The high country is expected to remain above the cloud, with minimal or no precipitation currently forecast above 9000 ft. Note also that temperatures are expected to fluctuate near freezing above 10,000 ft, with persistent windy conditions, until the end of April. This will produce freeze/thaw cycles at upper elevations, and what little snow remains may be firm and icy in the mornings (at least).

In keeping with the theme of this “winter”, melting of the minor but widespread snowfall from 12th-13th April has been very rapid. The PCT in the San Jacinto mountains, and the high country trails, have been functionally clear of snow since late last week, and spikes are not required on the trail system.

The absence of snow depth data in this report does not mean there is no snow in the high country, simply that remnant snow is so patchy and localized to the highest elevations that it no longer justifies detailed measurements.

At this time all of the main springs and creeks are flowing and water availability is not an issue for campers or long distance hikers. It was disconcerting by late March to see that many ephemeral and some “perennial” water sources were already at low flow rates, and two minor precipitation events in April have not significantly improved the medium- and long-term water conditions.

Be rattlesnake aware. This year rattlesnakes became active 1-2 months earlier than normal at both mid and upper elevations. 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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft (the latter unlikely before midsummer).

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, modern, immovable models in March.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

A weak low pressure system impacted the region on 10th-16th April. Light precipitation fell primarily on the evening of 12th and both afternoon and evening of 13th April. The former resulted in a very consistent accumulation of just 0.5 inch of snow everywhere above 9000 ft elevation, dusting as low as 6700 ft. The latter was heavier, with a freeze level near 5000 ft, but snowfall was still limited to a maximum of three inches at 8500-9500 ft on the east slope, and 9600-9900 ft on the west slope. Snowfall was slightly lower at the highest elevations, as the peaks were above the cloud for large parts of the stormy weather, especially on 13th.

Rainfall in Idyllwild was an impressive 0.67 inch by 0700 on 13th, and another 0.53 inch by the same time on 14th. The mid elevations on the western slope received some intense hail storms on the evening of 13th, down to 5000 ft (locally lower in places).

The last week of April will be somewhat unsettled, with strong winds in the high country and most days being partly or mostly cloudy, with temperatures generally below seasonal. Lifted marine layer cloud is expected to bring light rain (up to 0.3 inch in Idyllwild) to mid elevations overnight on Saturday 25th, continuing into Sunday 26th, and possibly also on 28th-30th April. The high country may remain largely above the cloud, with no meaningful precipitation forecast above 9000 ft.

High pressure is forecast to return in the first week of May, with temperatures starting to rise to near or even above seasonal.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Monday 20th April 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 41.1°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 32.7°F (0°C), 23% relative humidity, and a light SSE wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 9.4 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 17th April 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 38.6°F (4°C), with a windchill temperature of 28.2°F (-2°C), 12% relative humidity, and a steady NW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14.5 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails below 9000 ft elevation are now completely clear of snow, with all remaining high country trails now functionally clear of snow. Trails can be assumed to be clear of snow unless discussed below. Spikes are not required anywhere on the PCT or high country trail system at this time.

The Pacific Crest Trail [surveyed 17th and 20th April] is functionally clear throughout the San Jacinto mountains, with some extremely limited, patchy snow in places as follows. Snow cover is 10% between Miles 175-178. Snow cover around Mile 185 includes patches averaging 10% cover. The Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5) is now almost completely clear of snow. Tiny, stubborn sections of snow remain around the crossing of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River (Mile 186), and on the northerly slopes (approx. Miles 187.3-187.8 and 188.6-190).

The often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 19th April] is now functionally clear of snow and it is easy to pass by the tiny remnant patches (photo above). Spikes are not required.

The Wellman and Peak trails [surveyed 20th April] are functionally clear of snow, with tiny patches persisting only in the most forested areas, but none posing any significant hazard and none requiring spikes. The East Ridge Trail [surveyed 20th April] route above Miller Peak has only 40% snow cover, and a couple of single sets of tracks can be followed through the snow drifts on the upper route.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 17th April] is functionally clear of snow to Little Round Valley. A few tiny patches persist lower down, most notably near the Deer Springs crossing. Snow cover is very thin and increasingly patchy at about 20% in Little Round Valley (photo below), but is already functionally clear from there to San Jacinto Peak.

Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 17th April] is clear of snow to the PCT/Deer Springs Trail.

Seven Pines Trail [surveyed 17th April] is functionally clear of snow, although there are no fresh tracks to follow through the tiny snow patches persisting near the top of the trail.

Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in strong winds that accompanied mid February storms. In four days of work since late February, the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.

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 most additional blowdowns from this winter have already been removed. There is some optimism from the Forest Service that work to rehabilitate the Caramba Trail may start in 2026, so if you see any flagging in this area please leave it in place.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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.

Editorial note: In keeping with the theme of this “winter”, melting of the minor but widespread snowfall from 12th-13th April has been exceptionally rapid. Trail conditions discussed in this Report have consequently been heavily revised following further surveys on 16th-19th.

Much of the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains, and the high country trails, were functionally clear of snow by the afternoon of 16th, with some extended snow patches remaining in limited areas between PCT Miles 175-190, as described in Trail Conditions below.

Snow depths are so shallow, and tracks so well defined where there is snow, that spikes are not generally required anywhere on the PCT (or indeed elsewhere on the high country trails). Melting will continue to be rapid everywhere as temperatures rise markedly on 18th-20th.

Two minor bands of storms, on the afternoon/evenings of Sunday 12th and Monday 13th, with the bulk of the precipitation on the 13th, combined to produce 2-3 inches of snow everywhere above 7500 ft. Snow and hail dusted down to 5000 ft on 13th, but was functionally melted below 6500 ft by the afternoon of 14th.

I broke trail on the morning of 14th from Devil’s Slide Trail to San Jacinto Peak, and measured 1.5 inches of snow at Humber Park (6500 ft), 2.5 inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft), three inches throughout 8500-9500 ft, but only 2.5 inches above 10,000 ft. I recorded a short video report late morning on Tuesday 14th at San Jacinto Peak (linked here).

I then broke trail down upper Deer Springs Trail, finally connecting with PCT hiker tracks near the Fuller Ridge junction. This was the same route that we hiked on 13th. Snow depths on Deer Springs Trail were already shallower by late morning than on the ascent on the other side of the mountains, with melting already well underway even under partly cloudy skies.

Note that temperatures are tentatively forecast to fluctuate near freezing above 10,000 ft into late April. This will result in freeze/thaw cycles at upper elevations, and remnant snow may be firm and icy in the mornings (at least).

Be rattlesnake aware. This year rattlesnakes became active 1-2 months earlier than normal at both mid and upper elevations. 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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft (the latter unlikely before midsummer).

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, modern, immovable models in March.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

A relatively weak low pressure system impacted the region starting 10th April. Light precipitation fell primarily on the evening of 12th and both afternoon and evening of 13th April. The former resulted in a very consistent accumulation of just 0.5 inch of snow everywhere above 9000 ft elevation, but a dusting as low as 6700 ft. The latter was heavier, with a lower freeze level to near 5000 ft, but snowfall was still limited to a maximum of three inches at 8500-9500 ft on the east slope, and 9600-9900 ft on the west slope. Snowfall was slightly lower at the highest elevations, as the peaks were above the cloud for large parts of the stormy weather, especially on 13th.

Rainfall in Idyllwild was an impressive 0.67 inch by 0700 on 13th, and another 0.53 inch by the same time on 14th. The mid elevations on the western slope received some intense hail storms on the evening of 13th, down to 5000 ft (locally lower in places).

Other than warmer days on 18th-19th, temperatures are forecast to be around seasonal at mid elevations for the remainder of April. Temperatures in the high country will also be roughly seasonal, i.e., near freezing, during the same period. There is currently no significant precipitation in the forecasts, although there is an increasing possibility of unsettled weather on 21st-22nd April. High pressure is forecast to return by the end of April, with temperatures rising to above seasonal at the end of the month and into early May.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Friday 17th April 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 38.6°F (4°C), with a windchill temperature of 28.2°F (-2°C), 12% relative humidity, and a steady NW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14.5 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 0955 the air temperature was 26.3°F (-3°C), with a windchill temperature of 17.8°F (-8°C), 65% relative humidity, and a gentle NNE wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 6.0 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 13th April 2026 at 0930 the air temperature was 18.1°F (-8°C), with a windchill temperature of -0.4°F (-18°C), 63% relative humidity, and a frigid SW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 16.8 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails below 8000 ft elevation are now completely clear of snow, with all remaining high country trails now functionally clear of snow, with no more than a handful of minor persistent patches as described below (trails above 6000 ft were entirely under light snow cover as of the morning of 14th April, although nowhere was the average depth greater than three inches).

Spikes are not generally required anywhere on the PCT or high country trail system at this time. In my interactions with more than 60 PCT and day hikers during lengthy high country survey hikes on 13th, 14th, 16th, and 17th April, not a single hiker was using any traction device. Of course hikers must make their own decisions regarding the need for spikes, based on knowledge of their own expertise, and their comfort level hiking on patchy, thin, icy snow.

The Pacific Crest Trail [surveyed 16th and 17th April] currently has very patchy, thin snow throughout Miles 175-190 in the San Jacinto mountains. However melting will continue to be rapid, and excellent tracks are already in place throughout remnant snow patches, so conditions are not notably hazardous anywhere, and few if any hikers are using spikes. Snow cover is 60% between Miles 175-178 but with a well-defined track. Snow cover is then only 10% to Mile 180.5, but 80% just south of Annie’s Junction at about Mile 180.8. Miles 181-185 are now functionally clear of snow. Snow cover increases around Mile 185, although spikes are not generally required. The Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5) is now largely clear of snow. Short, patchy, stubborn sections of snow remain around the crossing of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River (Mile 186), and on the northerly slopes (approx. Miles 187.3-187.8 and 188.6-190), but nowhere are spikes required. North of Mile 190, the trail is functionally clear of snow.

The often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 19th April] is now functionally clear of snow and it is easy to pass by the remnant patches (photo above). Spikes are not required.

South Ridge Trail [surveyed 19th April] south from Tahquitz Peak is clear of snow.

Devil’s Slide Trail [surveyed 16th and 17th April] is clear of snow.

The Wellman and Peak trails [surveyed 17th April] are functionally clear of snow, with minor patches persisting in the most forested areas, but none posing any significant hazard and none requiring spikes. The East Ridge Trail [surveyed 17th April] route above Miller Peak is already 50% clear of snow, and a couple of single sets of tracks can be followed through the snow drifts on the upper route.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 16th and 17th April] is functionally clear of snow to Little Round Valley. A few patches persist lower down, most notably near the Deer Springs crossing. Snow cover is very thin and increasingly patchy at about 30% in Little Round Valley (photo below), but then even less from there to San Jacinto Peak.

Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 17th April] is functionally clear of snow to the PCT/Deer Springs Trail, with just a handful of tiny snow patches remaining, mainly just below the PCT.

Seven Pines Trail [surveyed 17th April] is functionally clear of snow, although there are no fresh tracks to follow through the small snow patches persisting near the top of the trail.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County 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 Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 0730: brief update from San Jacinto Peak. Snow and hail yesterday evening dusted down to 5000 ft. I broke trail this morning from Devil’s Slide Trail to the Peak, and measured 1.5 inches of snow at Humber Park, 2.5 inches at Saddle Junction, three inches at 8500-9500 ft, but only 2.5 inches above 10,000 ft. Snow is soft and thin and most hikers will find spikes are not required at present. Melting will be very rapid on sun-exposed slopes today. I will have put in a fresh track on Deer Springs Trail by early afternoon, and hope to have a more detailed update to the Trail Report by this evening.

UPDATE Monday 13th April 2026 at 1430: Light snow started at 1030 as we descended upper Deer Springs Trail, and continued until about 1330 in Idyllwild. The latter received 0.12 inch of rain. Although heavy at times, temperatures were warm enough that snow struggled to accumulate below 8000 ft, and much of the high country was periodically above the cloud. Some sections of some trails (e.g., mid elevations of Deer Springs Trail) have a total accumulation of about one inch of snow, while sun-exposed trails (much of the Peak Trail) have already functionally cleared of snow. There are fresh tracks on much of the uppermost PCT, including Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5), but regardless snow depths are so shallow throughout the PCT that spikes are not required.

UPDATE Monday 13th April 2026 at 0930: As forecast, periodic light rain yesterday afternoon totaled and impressive 0.66 inch in Idyllwild. The high country remained above the cloud on/off for much of the early afternoon, with just 0.5 inch of snow above 9000 ft but with a dusting as low as 6700 ft. Further minor rain and snow amounts are now forecast for today between 1030-1900. Obviously this precipitation has so far had no significant impact on Pacific Crest Trail conditions.

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A minor low pressure system is forecast to bring light precipitation on 11th-13th April, with the bulk of the rain at mid elevations now expected on Sunday 12th, with limited snow at higher elevations on 12th and 13th. Roughly 0.5-0.7 inch of rain is possible below 7000 ft, with a freeze level generally near 8000 ft on 12th dropping to 7000 ft on 13th. Snow forecasts for the high country have ranged from 1-10 inches above 10,000 ft, now regrettably favoring the lower end of that range, with no more than 1-2 inches of snow expected at the upper elevations of the PCT in these mountains (8000-9000 ft, possibly impacting PCT Miles 174-189).

All hikers, notably Pacific Crest Trail hikers, should be prepared for the likelihood of winter storm conditions on 10th-14th April. Temperatures are tentatively forecast to remain near freezing above 10,000 ft into late April.

In contrast, temperatures more typical of June-September persisted for most of March, resulting in an unprecedented rate of snowmelt (of snow dating back to storms on mid February). The high country trail system was functionally clear of snow by the end of March for the first time on record.

At this time all of the main springs and creeks are flowing and water availability is not an issue for campers or long distance hikers. It was disconcerting to see as early as late March that many ephemeral, and some “perennial”, water sources were already at low flow rates (more akin to early summer) and some may start to dry in the next month or two (depending upon whether there is further significant precipitation).

Be rattlesnake aware. Due to exceptionally warm temperatures in March, reliable sightings of rattlesnakes as high as 6000 ft on the Ernie Maxwell Trail started on 19th March, and on Devil’s Slide Trail at least to 7200 ft from 24th March. Activity will be suppressed by colder weather, but at this time rattlesnakes could be observed on any sunny, mild, day (see photo below). 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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft.

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, modern, immovable models in March.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Weak low pressure replaced the persistent high pressure (“heat dome”), that brought weeks of exceptional warmth, over Southern California starting 30th March. Limited precipitation overnight on 31st March produced one inch of snow above 8900 ft, with a sparse dusting down to 8300 ft, and 0.13 inch of rain in Idyllwild. However by late morning on 1st April, snow had almost entirely melted below 9000 ft, and by 2nd April remnant snow had rapidly melted from sun-exposed trails (photos below). The low pressure was once again briefly replaced by weak high pressure on 4th-8th April, with temperatures rising to slightly above seasonal.

As described in more detail above, another relatively weak low pressure system impacts the region starting 10th April. Light precipitation is expected primarily on 12th and 13th April, with a relatively high freeze level confining a few inches (at most) of snow to above 6500 ft, and with rainfall at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild), perhaps as much as 0.5 inch on 12th, but light rain possible anytime between 10th-14th.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Tuesday 7th April 2026 at 0850 the air temperature was 41.6°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 34.2°F (1°C), 29% relative humidity, and a steady NNE wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 6.5 mph.

At the Peak on Saturday 4th April 2026 at 1040 the air temperature was 41.0°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 32.2°F (0°C), 36% relative humidity, and a light due East wind sustained at 3 mph gusting to 5.9 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 1st April 2026 at 0855 the air temperature was 22.4°F (-5°C), with a windchill temperature of 3.0°F (-16°C), 64% relative humidity, and a bitter WNW wind sustained at 13 mph gusting to 25.7 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 24th March 2026 at 0900 the air temperature was 61.1°F (16°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 58.5°F (15°C), 31% relative humidity, and a barely discernable SSE breeze sustained at 1 mph gusting to 4.0 mph. The air temperature broke the all-time record high for the Peak in March, set multiple times in the preceding ten days, by more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit compared to the pre-2026 record.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

With a couple of very minor exceptions mentioned below, trails are now snow-free. Traction devices are no longer required on the trail system, although hikers venturing off-trail to 10,000+ ft peaks other than San Jacinto may find spikes useful for the next few days as remnant north slope snow fields firm up in the colder conditions.

Very light precipitation overnight on 31st March produced an average depth of one inch of snow above 8900 ft, however by 2nd April new snow had rapidly melted from sun-exposed trails (example photo below), and the fresh snow has now functionally all melted.

The Pacific Crest Trail is clear of snow throughout the San Jacinto mountains. A few tiny snow patches persist between Miles 175-177 but spikes are not required. The Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5) has completely cleared of snow in the past two weeks.

The often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak is clear of icy snow. Spikes are no longer required.

Wellman Trail [surveyed 9th April] is clear of snow.

The Peak Trail [surveyed 9th April] is functionally clear of snow, with a couple of tiny icy patches around 10,000 ft elevation. Spikes are not required. Immediately around San Jacinto Peak patchy snow cover persists in drifts, but it is now easy to avoid all snow.

The East Ridge Trail route [surveyed 9th April] now has no discernable track due to melting, but on the plus side snow cover from near the Miller switchback (10,400 ft) to San Jacinto Peak averages only 40%. Drifted snow here is still up to 12 inches deep in places, and can be very soft by late morning.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 4th April] is functionally clear of snow to San Jacinto Peak. The few tiny snow patches in the trail through and above Little Round Valley pose no hazards. Spikes are no longer required. The remarkably small number of blowdowns on this trail this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report.

Fuller Ridge Trail [surveyed 30th March] is clear of snow. Two new large blowdowns from this winter on this trail were removed by Forest Service on 7th April.

South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 27th March] is clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak. Four new blowdowns that came down on this trail in the mid February storms have already been removed by the Trail Report.

Spitler Peak Trail is now clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in strong winds that accompanied the mid February storms. In four days of work since late February, the Trail Report cut almost all of these (example photo below), bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service on 31st March.

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 most additional blowdowns from this winter have already been removed. There is some optimism that the Forest Service, in collaboration with the Trail Report and other volunteers, will work to rehabilitate the former Caramba Trail in 2026, likely starting with the lower section from Laws down to Caramba camp. If you see any flagging in this area please leave it in place.

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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%, likely saving Riverside County 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 for your support.

As forecast, very light precipitation overnight on 31st March produced an average depth of one inch of snow above 8900 ft, with a sparse dusting down to 8300 ft, and 0.13 inch of rain in Idyllwild. However by late morning on 1st April, snow had almost entirely melted below 9000 ft, and by 2nd April remnant snow had rapidly melted from sun-exposed trails. For hikers remaining on the PCT, there was essentially no change to conditions. For hikers to San Jacinto Peak, I broke trail on the morning of 1st and my tracks were soon followed by others, through thin and rapidly melting snow on the Wellman, Peak, and upper Deer Springs trails. The fresh snow has now functionally melted, and few if any hikers will find that spikes are required on the high country trails.

Temperatures more typical of June-September averages for most of March resulted in an unprecedented rate of snowmelt (of snow dating back to storms on mid February), with the high country trail system being functionally clear of snow by the end of March for the first time on record.

Unsurprisingly flowers and spring migrant birds have been recorded weeks ahead of recent norms (which were already significantly earlier than 10-20 years ago), and rattlesnakes were active in late March at elevations where they are normally not seen before May.

The March air temperature record for San Jacinto Peak was shattered multiple times, ultimately by an almost incomprehensible 15.6 degrees of Fahrenheit compared to the pre-2026 record. Indeed the temperature recorded on 24th March 2026 (61.1°F) exceeded the known Peak record highs for April, May, and June as well.

In contrast, a minor low pressure system is forecast to impact the region on 9th-16th April. Light precipitation is tentatively forecast for 9th-11th April, with up to 0.5 inch of rain forecast at mid elevations, a freeze level around 7000 ft elevation, and the possibility of 4-8 inches of snow above 10,000 ft. Temperatures well below freezing in the high country may persist for a week or more, with windchills above 9000 ft around 0°F (-18°C) throughout that period (i.e. relatively cold for April).

The absence of snow depth data in this report does not mean there is no snow in the high country, simply that remnant snow is so patchy, thin, and localized to the highest elevations, that it no longer justifies detailed measurements.

At this time all of the main springs and creeks are flowing and water availability is not an issue for campers or long distance hikers (example photos below). It is disconcerting in late March to see that many ephemeral, and some “perennial”, water sources are already at low flow rates (more akin to early summer) and some will start to dry in the next month or so without further significant precipitation.

Be rattlesnake aware. It is astounding to have to include this paragraph so early in the year, but reliable sightings at 6000 ft on the Ernie Maxwell Trail started on 19th March, and on Devil’s Slide Trail at least to 7200 ft since 24th March (photo below). 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 long read 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft (the latter hopefully not until midsummer).

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded.

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 2-3 times per week (but almost daily during storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.

WEATHER

Temperatures rose markedly starting 11th March, briefly stabilized above seasonal on 12th-15th, then rose even further, to near or even above midsummer averages, from 16th onward. A new all-time March record high for San Jacinto Peak was set four times between 13th-24th, with temperatures generally 25-30°F above seasonal in the high country throughout the latter three weeks of March 2026.

A weak low pressure trough replaces the persistent high pressure (“heat dome”) over Southern California starting 30th March. This is briefly replaced by weak high pressure on 4th-8th April, when temperatures rise to slightly above seasonal.

Another relatively weak low pressure system impacts the region on 9th-16th April. Light precipitation is tentatively forecast for 9th-11th April, with up to 0.5 inch of rain forecast at mid elevations, a freeze level around 7000 ft elevation, and the possibility of 4-8 inches of snow above 10,000 ft. Temperatures well below freezing in the high country may persist for a week or more, with windchills above 9000 ft around 0°F (-18°C) throughout that period (i.e. relatively cold for April).

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Wednesday 1st April 2026 at 0855 the air temperature was 22.4°F (-5°C), with a windchill temperature of 3.0°F (-16°C), 64% relative humidity, and a bitter WNW wind sustained at 13 mph gusting to 25.7 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 30th March 2026 at 0820 the air temperature was 38.2°F (3°C), with a windchill temperature of 26.2°F (-3°C), 41% relative humidity, and a cool due West wind sustained at 13 mph gusting to 19.4 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 24th March 2026 at 0900 the air temperature was 61.1°F (16°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 58.5°F (15°C), 31% relative humidity, and a barely discernable SSE breeze sustained at 1 mph gusting to 4.0 mph. The air temperature again broke the all-time record high for the Peak in March, set multiple times in the preceding ten days, now by more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit compared to the pre-2026 record.

At the Peak on Thursday 19th March 2026 at 0850 the air temperature was 59.6°F (15°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 57.4°F (14°C), 10% relative humidity, and a very light SSE wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 4.6 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

With a couple of very minor exceptions mentioned below, all trails are now snow-free. Traction devices are no longer required on the trail system, although hikers venturing off-trail to 10,000+ ft peaks other than San Jacinto may find spikes useful for the next few days as remnant north slope snow fields firm up in the colder conditions.

The Pacific Crest Trail is now functionally clear of snow throughout the San Jacinto mountains. Snow cover is 10% between Miles 175-177 but spikes are not required. The Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5) has completely cleared of snow extremely rapidly in the past week.

The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [most recently surveyed 27th March] is now functionally clear of icy snow. Spikes are no longer required.

Wellman Trail [surveyed 30th March] is now clear of snow.

The Peak Trail [surveyed 30th March] is functionally clear of snow, with only about 10% snow cover remaining in one 0.25 mile section around 10,000 ft elevation, but spikes are not required. Immediately around San Jacinto Peak patchy snow cover persists in drifts, but it is now possible to avoid almost all snow by rock-hopping.

The East Ridge Trail route [surveyed 30th March] now has no discernable track due to melting, but on the plus side snow cover from near the Miller switchback (10,400 ft) to San Jacinto Peak averages only 50%. Drifted snow here is still up to 18 inches deep in places, and is locally very soft by late morning.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed eight times in March, most recently on 30th] is now, remarkably, functionally clear of snow to San Jacinto Peak. The few tiny snow patches in the trail through and above Little Round Valley pose no hazards. Spikes are no longer required. The remarkably small number of blowdowns on this trail this winter have already been removed by the Trail Report.

Fuller Ridge Trail [surveyed 30th March] is clear of snow. Two new large blowdowns from this winter are easily passed, at PCT Miles 188.9 and 189.9.

South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 27th March] is clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak. Four new blowdowns that came down on this trail in the mid February storms have already been removed by the Trail Report.

Spitler Peak Trail [surveyed multiple times in March, most recently on 26th] is now clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in strong winds that accompanied the mid February storms. In four days of work since late February, the Trail Report cut almost all of these (example photo below), bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service on 31st March.

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 most additional blowdowns from this winter have already been removed. There is some optimism from the Forest Service that work to rehabilitate the Caramba Trail may start in 2026, so if you see any flagging in this area please leave it in place.

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 for your support.

Record heat for March – essentially midsummer weather – has resulted in dramatic snowmelt in the past two weeks. Consequently I have been updating trail conditions daily to the greatest extent possible. I have never seen snow clear as rapidly in these mountains as in the past fortnight, in any month, even May or June, let alone in (initially) mid March. The March air temperature record for San Jacinto Peak has been broken four times, most recently by an almost incomprehensible 15.6 degrees of Fahrenheit compared to the pre-2026 record. Indeed the temperature recorded on 24th March 2026 (61.1°F) exceeded the known Peak record highs for April, May, and June as well. Sadly it is an overused word, but what we are currently witnessing is genuinely unprecedented.

Intense high pressure over the region will result in further remarkable heat until about 31st March, albeit slightly cooler this week than last. Daily and monthly temperature records were widely shattered throughout Southern California (and indeed the American West) throughout 17th-23rd March, with the temperatures for 19th and 20th in particular comparable the seasonal averages for July and August, which was beyond astonishing for mid March.

Obviously melting of what pitifully little snow remains has been dramatic, and the extent of snow remaining on high country trails declines daily. The San Jacinto mountains will be in the unprecedented state of being functionally snow-free by the end of March. There is a possibility for minor precipitation in the first week of April, although forecast volumes will have no significant impact on the worrisome water and fire situations.

Carrying spikes remains a useful option above about 9700 ft for some hikers, but they are generally not required on the trail system at this time. Spikes are no longer required for PCT hikers who remain on the PCT, but they remain useful for thru hikers who use alternates involving San Jacinto Peak, especially those hikers with minimal experience of snow hiking.

Snow depths are no longer given in this posting. This does not mean there is no snow in the high country, simply that snow is both generally localized to the highest elevations, and that it is rarely more than a few inches deep anywhere, especially on the established trails. As discussed elsewhere, melting – which has been exceptionally rapid for more than a week – will continue over the next week, so listing nominal snow depths that change daily serves little purpose.

Be rattlesnake aware. It is astounding to have to include this paragraph so early in the year, but there have been reliable sightings at 6000 ft on the Ernie Maxwell Trail starting on 19th March, and on Devil’s Slide Trail at least to 7200 ft since 24th March (photo below). 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 higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft (the latter in midsummer).

The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded.

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 2-3 times 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

The past six weeks or so, in common with the past six months, have seen a roller-coaster ride of temperatures and associated weather. Three snow storms in very quick succession impacted the region across four days on 16th-19th February, as described in detail in a prior Report (linked here).

Temperatures rose dramatically immediately after the passage of the last storm system, and were far above seasonal throughout the last week of February, before then cooling closer to seasonal in the first nine days of March. The latter was associated with the brief passage of a minor low pressure system on 6th-8th March, with accompanying strong winds and cold temperatures in the high country.

Temperatures rose yet again starting 11th March, briefly stabilized above seasonal on 12th-15th, then rose even further, to near or even above midsummer averages, on 16th-22nd. A new all-time March record high for San Jacinto Peak was set last week on Friday 13th, but was shattered again on both 18th and 19th (see data below).

The high pressure system persists over Southern California until at least 30th March, consequently with no precipitation in the forecasts before the end of the month. Forecast models remain unclear what may happen when a weak low pressure trough passes through the region around 31st March-7th April, with perhaps only a modest probability of minor precipitation at these latitudes.

NWS/NOAA data confirm that the four month period November-February this winter was the hottest for those four months combined on record for Riverside County (131 years of data). The same period was the second hottest all-time for the entire state of California, only behind November 2014-February 2015.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Tuesday 24th March 2026 at 0900 the air temperature was 61.1°F (16°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 58.5°F (15°C), 31% relative humidity, and a barely discernable SSE breeze sustained at 1 mph gusting to 4.0 mph. The air temperature again broke the all-time record high for the Peak in March, set multiple times in the previous ten days, now by more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit compared to the pre-2026 record.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Thursday 19th March 2026 at 0850 the air temperature was 59.6°F (15°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 57.4°F (14°C), 10% relative humidity, and a very light SSE wind sustained at 2 mph gusting to 4.6 mph.

At the Peak on Wednesday 18th March 2026 at 0900 the air temperature was 54.7°F (12°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 49.1°F (10°C), 16% relative humidity, and a steady ESE wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 10.1 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 13th March 2026 at 0920 the air temperature was 47.3°F (8°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 40.8°F (5°C), 12% relative humidity, and a light NNW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 10.0 mph. This air temperature set a new all-time record high (briefly) for the Peak in March – by two degrees of Fahrenheit – a record that itself has been shattered three times in the next ten days.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails above about 9700 ft remain about 10% snow-covered. Routes below 9000 ft are now largely functionally clear of snow. With temperatures forecast to remain hot (for March) until 30th, snow even at the highest elevations will not refreeze overnight, and melting will continue be fast and widespread, changing trail conditions daily.

Some hikers may find that carrying spikes remains useful above about 9700 ft even as snow softens and melts dramatically, as established trails are nonetheless somewhat consolidated by hiker traffic and weeks of freeze-thaw cycles.

The Pacific Crest Trail is now functionally clear of snow to about Mile 175 (Red Tahquitz). Snow cover is 40% between Miles 175-177. Snow cover is very patchy and averages just 10% between Miles 177 to 178.5, then it is clear to Mile 180.5, but about 20% just south of Annie’s Junction to about Mile 180.8. Miles 181-185 are clear. Snow cover averages 10% from Mile 185 to 185.5, although spikes are not required on the well-traveled snow track. The Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5) has cleared of snow extremely rapidly this week and now averages only 10% snow cover. Stubborn sections remain around the crossing of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River (Mile 186, photo below), and on the northerly forested slopes (notably Miles 187.5-187.8 and 188.5-189). North of Mile 189, the trail is functionally clear of snow.

Carrying spikes is no longer required for PCT hikers in the San Jacinto mountains at this time, although some hikers may find that spikes continue to be useful if they (a) take any alternate routes off the PCT to San Jacinto Peak, and/or (b) have very limited experience of hiking on patchy icy snow.

The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [most recently surveyed 27th March] is now functionally clear of icy snow. Spikes are no longer required.

Devil’s Slide Trail is clear of snow.

Wellman Trail [surveyed 24th March] is functionally clear of snow averaging just 10% snow cover, which is confined to the forested 0.3 mile immediately north of Annie’s Junction. Spikes are not required.

The Peak Trail [surveyed 24th March] is largely clear of snow, with only about 10% snow cover remaining, almost entirely confined to the forested section around 10,000 ft elevation. Even there, most hikers will find that spikes are no longer required. Immediately around San Jacinto Peak patchy snow cover persists in drifts, but it is now possible to avoid almost all snow by rock-hopping. Some hikers may find spikes useful.

The East Ridge Trail route [surveyed 24th March] has a barely discernable posthole track through 90% snow cover from near the Miller switchback (10,400 ft) to San Jacinto Peak. Drifted snow here is still up to two feet deep in places, and is locally very soft, even early in the morning.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed seven times in March, most recently on 24th] is now, remarkably, functionally clear to Little Round Valley. The dozen tiny snow patches in the trail above 9000 ft do not pose significant hazards. Little Round Valley is clearing remarkably rapidly, with average snow cover only 10%, a mix of extensive cleared areas interspersed with patchy drifts several inches deep. Above Little Round Valley snow cover also averages only 10%, and the trail route is now almost entirely visible, although some cautious navigation is required where drifts cover switchbacks. Spikes are no longer required on Deer Springs Trail, although some hikers may continue to find them useful for descending parts of the upper trail.

Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 24th March] is clear of snow.

Seven Pines Trail [surveyed 24th March] is functionally clear of snow, with just 10% cover on the uppermost 0.5 mile of trail. There is a lightly traveled posthole track through the upper snow patches.

South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 27th March] is clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak. Four new blowdowns that came down on this trail in the mid February storms have already been removed by the Trail Report.

Spitler Peak Trail [surveyed 15th, 23rd, and 26th March] was sadly decimated by more than 60 new blowdowns in strong winds that accompanied the mid February storms. In four days of work since late February, the Trail Report has cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years (example photos below). Four large burned cedars remain obstructing the trail just above the main creek crossing (between 3.2-3.7 miles up from the trailhead) although most hikers will find they are passable with care.

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 for your support.

A week of pleasantly cool temperatures to start March included the coldest day of the winter to date in the high country on Saturday 7th (the air and windchill temperatures I recorded at San Jacinto Peak that morning were -12°C and -26°C, respectively).

Unfortunately temperatures were so high in the last eight days of February that the modest snow accumulation – it would be an exaggeration to use the word snowpack – had already been largely removed. Nevertheless the cooler weather did slow snowmelt rates, and perhaps more importantly established tracks in the high country remained firm and have been a genuine joy for hiking, with easy barebooting on ascents, and no more than spikes needed for descending.

Sadly that recent hint of seasonal winter temperatures has ended, and forecasts for the middle two weeks of March make for astonishingly grim reading. Temperatures rapidly climbed above seasonal by Thursday 12th, then threaten to be genuine midsummer temperatures, likely shattering myriad March records, from Monday 16th until Monday 23rd. Obviously melting of what little snow remains will be dramatic, and if the forecasts prove to be accurate, the mountain may be in the unprecedented state of being largely snow-free by late March.

Spikes remain recommended for most trails above about 8000 ft for the foreseeable future as established tracks are so well consolidated by hiker traffic. As tracks rapidly melt over the next two weeks they will become (briefly) even more slippery.

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 may be much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of angled virgin icy snow.

The USFS gate at Humber Park reopened on 1st March. The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded. South Ridge Road (5S11) reopened on 3rd March and is clear of snow.

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 2-3 times 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 dramatically starting 11th March, plateau at well above seasonal on 12th-14th, before rising even further, genuinely close to midsummer averages on 16th-22nd. Several daily high temperature records may be broken in the region during that period, and the all-time March record high for San Jacinto Peak could be shattered, which also happened in February this year.

With such a pronounced high pressure system stationed over Southern California, unsurprisingly there is no significant new precipitation in the forecasts.

Three snow storms in very quick succession impacted the region across four days on 16th-19th February, with the consequent snowfalls described in detail in a prior Report (linked here). Temperatures rose dramatically starting immediately after the passage of the last storm system, and were far above seasonal throughout the last week of February, before then cooling closer to seasonal in the first nine days of March. The latter was associated with the brief passage of a minor “cutoff” low pressure system on 6th-8th March, with accompanying strong winds and cold temperatures in the high country.

Meteorological data confirm that the four month period November-February this winter was the hottest for those four months combined on record for Riverside County (131 years of data). The same period was the second hottest all-time for the entire state of California, behind November 2014-February 2015.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Friday 13th March 2026 at 0920 the air temperature was 47.3°F (8°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 40.8°F (5°C), 12% relative humidity, and a light NNW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 10.0 mph. The air temperature set a new all-time record high for the Peak in March – by two degrees of Fahrenheit – sadly a record that is almost certain to be broken multiple times over the next week.

At the Peak on Monday 9th March 2026 at 0855 [DST] the air temperature was 28.7°F (-2°C), with a windchill temperature of 8.4°F (-13°C), 33% relative humidity, and a stiff ENE wind sustained at 25 mph gusting to 35.6 mph.

At the Peak on Saturday 7th March 2026 at 0820 the air temperature was 10.6°F (-12°C), with a windchill temperature of -14.8°F (-26°C), 71% relative humidity, and a frigid NNE wind sustained at 16 mph gusting to 30.0 mph. Both the air and windchill temperatures were the lowest recorded at the Peak (so far) in winter 2025/26.

At the Peak on Thursday 5th March 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 31.9°F (0°C), with a windchill temperature of 17.8°F (-8°C), 16% relative humidity, and a variable NW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 16.0 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails above about 9700 ft remain at least 80% snow-covered, and most have significant snow cover above 8600 ft (west side) or 9000 ft (east side). Most routes below 8600 ft are now largely clear of snow, and completely clear below 7500 ft (details for specific trails below, where known).

Please consider that with temperatures rising dramatically then remaining hot (for March) over the next ten days, snow even at the highest elevations will not refreeze overnight, and melting will be remarkably fast and widespread, changing trail conditions almost daily.

Carrying spikes is recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 8000 ft even as snow softens and melts dramatically over the next week or two, as established trails are now somewhat consolidated by hiker traffic and weeks of freeze-thaw cycles.

Neither crampons nor snowshoes are required anywhere on the established trail system at this time. In theory snowshoes could be of value over the next couple of weeks as snow will soften so rapidly (and not refreeze) with temperatures remaining above freezing even at the highest elevations. However snow depths are already minimal, even in many off-trail areas, and melting of what little remains will be very rapid into late March.

Hikers interested in more comparison photos of the trails from immediately after the previous fresh snowfall in late February, and the conditions 7-10 days later, will find these in the previous Report (available here).

Current snow cover on the PCT is minimal from Miles 151 (Highway 74) to about 175 (Red Tahquitz), largely confined to thin patches on the east slope of Spitler Peak (Mile 168) and the northerly aspects of Apache Peak (Mile 169.5), both areas that can be easily worked around. Some of the minor chutes in Miles 170-173 have tricky icy snow, but this will soften dramatically in the next couple of days. Snow cover is 80% between Miles 175-177. Snow cover is thin and averages 70% between Miles 177 to 179, then only 5% to Mile 180.5, but about 90% just south of Annie’s Junction at about Mile 180.8. Miles 181-183 average 10% snow cover. Snow cover is largely continuous from Mile 184 to 185.5, although spikes are not required on the well-traveled snow track. There are now visible tracks at this time on the Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5), and snow is generally thin and increasingly patchy, especially on the sun-exposed parts of that trail. Stubborn sections remain around the crossing of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River (Mile 186), and on the northerly slopes (approx. Miles 187.5-187.8 and 188.6-190.4). North of Mile 191, the trail is functionally clear of snow.

Carrying spikes remains recommended for PCT hikers throughout the San Jacinto mountains at this time, although they are not essential for those hikers who (a) remain on the PCT and do not take the alternate route via San Jacinto Peak, and (b) have a high comfort level and considerable experience of hiking on patchy icy snow without traction devices.

The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 10th March] currently has only a single posthole track to follow through some sections of steeply angled icy snow (photo below). The snow is slowly becoming more patchy, and melting will be rapid this week, nevertheless these icy slopes on the north side of Tahquitz Peak are notoriously treacherous. Currently spikes (preferably with an ice axe), and the requisite physical and mental skills to use this equipment in high angle terrain, are strongly recommended. Even then this section of trail will not be a safe option for most hikers.

Devil’s Slide Trail [surveyed 13th March] is completely clear of snow to 7700 ft, and functionally clear from there to Saddle Junction. Persisting minor patches of icy snow are so small and dirty that they do not require spikes at this time.

Wellman Trail [surveyed 13th March] has a moderately-traveled and often uneven posthole track through about 50% snow cover.

The Peak Trail [surveyed 13th March] has been well-traveled, although in places around 10,000 ft the most heavily traveled track does not accurately follow the trail route. There is a well-compacted posthole route from Wellman Divide to about 10,000 ft through rapidly diminishing 60% snow cover. This section of trail will functionally clear during the next week. Above 10,000 ft, snow cover remains almost 90%, and the track becomes more uneven. Most traffic has followed the uppermost traverse of the Peak Trail to Summit Junction (meeting Deer Springs Trail). Multiple tracks around the Peak all ultimately reach the top, although none quite manage to accurately follow the established trail route.

A lightly-traveled, but now unfortunately rather lumpy posthole track broadly follows the East Ridge Trail route [surveyed 13th March] through functionally continuous snow cover from near the Miller switchback (10,400 ft) to San Jacinto Peak, and is, as always, an excellent alternative to the uppermost Peak Trail.

The Round Valley Trail [surveyed 13th March] has a rapidly thinning 30% snow cover to Round Valley, and thereafter a well-traveled posthole track through 80% snow cover to Wellman Divide.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed four times since 2nd, most recently on 9th March] is functionally clear of snow to Strawberry Junction. Snow cover then averages barely 10% for one mile north of Strawberry Junction, increasing to 40% closer to the junction with Marion Mountain Trail, but is only 1-3 inches deep in most places. Thereafter, snow cover on the trail is >90% to San Jacinto Peak, although with an increasing number of bare patches are starting to emerge in the most sun-exposed sections, even as high as 10,400 ft. The somewhat uneven posthole track is largely accurate to the trail route as far as Little Round Valley (LRV). The most heavily-traveled track through LRV vaguely approximates to the trail route, but then at least four tracks ascend from LRV, none of which follow the true trail route for any significant distance, and all of which climb steeply through icy snow toward the Peak, as is traditional in winter. These tracks will become harder to follow as melting increases, as they run through vegetation and boulders, by which time the actual trail route should become more evident.

Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 7th March] is functionally clear of snow to about 7600 ft, and thereafter has a very well-defined track through largely continuous icy snow to its junction with Deer Springs Trail, that generally follows the true trail route. Icy snow cover is so thin that this trail will largely clear of snow in the next week. There is already one lengthy sun-exposed section at 8200-8400 ft that is now snow-free. Spikes can be useful, at least for descending the uppermost trail.

As of 7th March there were no visible tracks through the discontinuous snow on Seven Pines Trail or Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5), although the latter has been traveled by both nobo and sobo PCT section hikers that I have encountered, largely when snow was too firm to leave obvious tracks.

Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 181-183) [surveyed 6th March] averages 20% snow cover (example photo below).

South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 10th March] is now functionally clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak. The frequency of icy snow patches increases in the uppermost switchbacks closest to the peak, but even there they remain small and very sparse, and few if any hikers will find spikes are needed. Four new blowdowns that came down on this trail in the mid February storms have already been removed by the Trail Report.

Spitler Peak Trail [surveyed 15th March] was sadly decimated by blowdowns in the strong winds that accompanied the mid February storm. About 55 new trees came down across the trail, and it may take months to get the trail largely cleared (this trail has been seemingly unmaintained by the Forest Service since 2018). Since late February the Trail Report has removed 19 trees, the trail is clear as far as the main creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead, and work has begun further up (photos below; bringing to 193 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in recent years). Five large burned cedars and roughly 30 jumbles of fire-killed oak limbs remain seriously obstructing the trail in the 1.6 miles between that main creek crossing and the PCT.

Skyline Trail reopened on 4th March. Although it is largely clear of icy snow, some hikers may find spikes useful above 7200 ft (the “Traverse”).

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 9th March 2026 (unless indicated otherwise) are as follows. Current total depth is the principal number given, followed (in parentheses) by the greatest snow depth of this winter to date, following the storms of mid February. Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6 inches (was 26 inches on 20th February), ranging from 0-14 inches, drifted deepest on east and north aspects, including East Ridge.

Little Round Valley (9750 ft): 6 inches (was 23 inches on 23rd February), ranging from 0-12 inches in places.

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 1 inch (was 20 inches on 20th February).

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 181 (9020 ft): 4 inches (was 27 inches on 20th February).

Tahquitz Peak (8836 ft): 0 inch (was 23 inches on 21st February) immediately around the fire lookout, but 2-15 inches on adjacent trails [measured 3rd March].

Long Valley (8500 ft): 0 inch (was 14 inches on 20th February).

Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8100 ft): 0 inch (was 15 inches on 23rd February).

Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 1 inch (was 22 inches on 20th February).

Devil’s Slide Trail trailhead at Humber Park (6500 ft): 0 inch (was 17 inches on 20th February).

Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (was 12.5 inches on 20th February).

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 for your support.

Temperatures were so high in the last eight days of February – with daily and monthly records being set throughout Southern California – that they remained above freezing overnight at even the highest mountain elevations. This resulted in snowmelt at an unprecedented rate, even more striking given that it was in the genuinely winter month of February, with Idyllwild losing 12 inches of snow in four days, sun-exposed locations above 9000 ft losing up to 20-22 inches in a week, and San Jacinto Peak also losing about 15 inches in just seven days.

Thankfully, temperatures cooled to near seasonal from Monday 2nd March, and are forecast to fluctuate either side of seasonal for most of the first two weeks of the month, which should be most noticeable in the high country. This should have two significant effects. First, snowmelt rates will slow markedly, and trail conditions may not change dramatically over the next week or more. Secondly, compacted snow tracks established in the high country will remain firm, at least until late morning, allowing for much easier hiking (with spikes now optimal for traction rather than snowshoes).

For example, snow was comfortably firm enough for barebooting all the way from Devil’s Slide Trail to San Jacinto Peak early in the morning on Monday 2nd and Thursday 5th, although on 2nd anywhere I stepped off the compacted posthole tracks I promptly sank ankle deep into surrounding snow. Snow remained firm until about 0930 on 2nd, by which time I was well down Deer Springs Trail and snow was so shallow and patchy that even spikes were no longer needed. This weekend will be colder, so hiking conditions should be even easier (with appropriate traction as needed), in stark contrast to the slop and snowshoes of much of last week.

Spikes are recommended for most trails above about 7600 ft for the foreseeable future as established tracks have now become consolidated by hiker traffic and will continue to undergo significant freeze-thaw cycles this week. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing only off-trail above about 9500 ft, possibly lower as snow softens by late morning on the warmest days and on the most sun-exposed slopes.

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 may be much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of angled virgin icy snow.

The USFS gate at Humber Park reopened on 1st March. The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded. South Ridge Road (5S11) reopened on 3rd March and is clear of snow.

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 2-3 times 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

Three snow storms in very quick succession impacted the region across four days on 16th-19th February, with the consequent snowfalls described in detail in a prior Report (linked here). Temperatures rose dramatically starting immediately after the passage of the last storm system, and were far above seasonal throughout the last week of February, as discussed above.

Temperatures are forecast to cool closer to seasonal in the first ten days of March, but with high pressure generally remaining in the region and mild, sunny days, steady snowmelt will continue, albeit at a slower rate than in late February. Forecasts indicate the brief passage of a minor low pressure system on 6th-8th March, with accompanying strong winds and cold temperatures in the high country.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Saturday 7th March 2026 at 0820 the air temperature was 10.6°F (-12°C), with a windchill temperature of -14.8°F (-26°C), 71% relative humidity, and a frigid NNE wind sustained at 16 mph gusting to 30.0 mph. Both the air and windchill temperatures were the lowest recorded at the Peak (so far) in winter 2025/26.

At the Peak on Thursday 5th March 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 31.9°F (0°C), with a windchill temperature of 17.8°F (-7°C), 16% relative humidity, and a variable NW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 16.0 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 2nd March 2026 at 0810 the air temperature was 30.9°F (-1°C), with a windchill temperature of 13.3°F (-10°C), 38% relative humidity, and a stiff due West wind sustained at 16 mph gusting to 29.4 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

Trails above about 9500 ft are completely snow-covered, and most have significant snow cover above 7600 ft, but routes below 7600 ft are now generally clear of snow (details for specific trails below, where known).

With high country temperatures near (or even below) freezing for most or all of the next two weeks, spikes are recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above 7600 ft as snow generally firms up, especially overnight and in the mornings, along with localized icing, and as established trails have become increasingly consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles.

Crampons remain an option above about 9500 ft for the next week at least, especially in the morning when snow remains firm, but they are certainly not required anywhere on trail, and may result in significant postholing during off-trail travel.

Snowshoes are no longer recommended for travel on the established trail system, as tracks are now generally compacted, icy and uneven. However snowshoes would be invaluable for off-trail travel (e.g., to high peaks other than San Jac) as snow above 9000 ft away from the compacted tracks remains soft, especially after mid morning.

In prior winters I have mentioned the challenges of hard, icy snow underfoot and the value of using spikes especially for descending and traversing. Snow at all elevations will become increasingly firm and icy following multiple freeze-thaw cycles, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of having both appropriate equipment and the right skill set for the terrain. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. These concerns may steadily increase over the next couple of weeks with temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing, seasonally stronger insolation, and locally variable snowmelt.

Current snow cover on the PCT is minimal from Miles 151 (Highway 74) to about 175 (Red Tahquitz), largely confined to thin patches on the east slope of Spitler Peak (Mile 168) and the northerly aspects of Apache Peak (Mile 169.5). Snow cover is 90% between Miles 175-177. Snow cover is thin and averages 80% between Miles 177 to 179, then only 10% to Mile 180.5, but almost 100% just south of Annie’s Junction at about Mile 180.8. There are no tracks here where the PCT turns sharply to the west. Miles 181-183 average 20% snow cover. Snow cover is continuous from Mile 184 to 185.5, although spikes are not essential. There are no tracks at this time on the Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5), although snow is thin and will be increasingly patchy on the sun-exposed parts of that trail. Stubborn sections will remain around the crossing of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River (Mile 186), and on the northerly slopes (approx. Miles 187.5-187.8 and 188.6-190.4). North of Mile 191, the trail is functionally clear of snow. Carrying spikes is recommended for PCT hikers throughout the San Jacinto mountains at this time.

The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 3rd March] currently has only a very lightly-traveled single posthole track to follow through steeply angled icy snow (photo below). These icy slopes on the north side of Tahquitz Peak are notoriously treacherous. Currently spikes (or preferably crampons) with an ice axe, and the requisite physical and mental skills to use this equipment in high angle terrain, are strongly recommended, but even then this section of trail will not be comfortable for most hikers until it starts to soften late next week.

Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 2nd March] is now functionally clear of snow (thank you to Anne and Anabel for that report).

Devil’s Slide Trail [surveyed 5th March] is already clear of snow to 7600 ft. From there to Saddle Junction snow cover averages only 20%. Spikes are useful, at least for descending, but they are not required for early morning ascending when the snow is firm, nor for hikers who are especially proficient on patchy icy snow.

Wellman Trail [surveyed 5th March] has a moderately-traveled and very uneven posthole track through about 60% snow cover.

The Peak Trail [surveyed 5th March] has been well-traveled, although in places around 10,000 ft the most heavily traveled track does not accurately follow the trail route. There is a well-compacted posthole and snowshoe route from Wellman Divide to about 10,000 ft through almost continuous snow, but with a few bare patches starting to appear. Above 10,000 ft, snow cover is continuous, and the track becomes more uneven. Most traffic has followed the uppermost traverse of the Peak Trail to Summit Junction (meeting Deer Springs Trail). Multiple tracks around the Peak all ultimately reach the top, although none manage to accurately follow the established trail route.

A lightly-traveled, but now unfortunately lumpy posthole track broadly follows the East Ridge Trail route from near the Miller switchback (10,400 ft) to San Jacinto Peak, and is, as always, an excellent alternative to the upper Peak Trail.

The Round Valley Trail [surveyed 5th March] has a rapidly thinning 40% snow cover to Round Valley, and thereafter a well-traveled posthole track through 90% snow cover to Wellman Divide.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 2nd, 6th, and 7th March] is functionally clear of snow to Strawberry Junction, with just a handful of tiny snow patches increasing in frequency closest to the junction. Snow cover then averages 30% until about 8500 ft (less than one mile south of the junction with Marion Mountain Trail, but is only 1-3 inches deep in most places. Thereafter, snow cover on the trail is functionally continuous to San Jacinto Peak, although a handful of bare patches are starting to emerge in the most sun-exposed sections, even as high as 10,400 ft. The somewhat uneven posthole track is largely accurate to the trail route as far as Little Round Valley (LRV). The most heavily-traveled track through LRV vaguely approximates to the trail route, but then at least four tracks ascend from LRV, none of which follow the true trail route for any significant distance, and all of which climb steeply through icy snow toward the Peak, as is traditional in winter.

Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 7th March] is functionally clear of snow to about 7600 ft, and thereafter has a very well-defined track through largely continuous icy snow to its junction with Deer Springs Trail, that generally follows the true trail route. There is one lengthy sun-exposed section at 8200-8400 ft that is now snow-free. Spikes are valuable, at least for descending the uppermost trail.

As of 7th March there were no tracks through the discontinuous snow on Seven Pines Trail or Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5).

Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 181-183) [surveyed 6th March] averages 20% snow cover (example photo below).

South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 3rd March] is almost completely clear of snow to Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). Thereafter there is 10% coverage of small snow patches on the traverse to 7900 ft, increasing to 30% on the lower switchbacks, and then to 60% in the upper switchbacks closest to Tahquitz Peak. Snow is firm and icy in the early mornings, starting to soften and become “greasy” by about 0900. Most hikers will find spikes useful in the upper switchbacks but they are not essential for those most experienced on such terrain. Four new blowdowns that came down on this trail in the mid February storms have already been removed by the Trail Report (photo below).

Spitler Peak Trail [surveyed 27th February] is functionally clear of snow, with a few tiny patches of soft, thin snow remaining in the upper third of the trail. The Trail Report cleared another nine trees from the lower four miles of the trail, bringing to 183 the number of trees removed from this trail in recent years. Unfortunately the trail suffered major blowdowns in the most recent storm sequence and four large burned cedars are seriously obstructing the trail between 3.2-4.0 miles up from the trailhead. Several additional small trees remain uncut closer to the PCT.

Skyline Trail reopened on 4th March. Although it is largely clear of icy snow, some hikers will find spikes useful above 7200 ft (the “Traverse”).

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 2nd March 2026 (unless indicated otherwise) are as follows. Current total depth is the principal number given, followed (in parentheses) by the greatest snow depth of this winter to date, following the storms of mid February. Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 9 inches (was 26 inches on 20th February), drifted two feet deep in places, notably on east and north sides, especially East Ridge.

Little Round Valley (9750 ft): 8 inches (was 23 inches on 23rd February), ranging from 0-20 inches in places

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 6 inches (was 20 inches on 20th February)

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 181 (9020 ft): 7 inches (was 27 inches on 20th February)

Tahquitz Peak (8836 ft): 0 inch (was 23 inches on 21st February) immediately around the fire lookout, but 3-15 inches on adjacent trails [measured 3rd March]

Long Valley (8500 ft): 1 inch (was 14 inches on 20th February)

Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8100 ft): 0 inch (was 15 inches on 23rd February)

Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 2 inches (was 22 inches on 20th February)

Suicide Rock/Deer Springs trails junction (7000 ft): 0 inch (was 8 inches on 23rd February)

South Ridge Trail trailhead at top of South Ridge Road (6500 ft): 0 inch (was 16 inches on 21st February)

Devil’s Slide Trail trailhead at Humber Park (6500 ft): 0 inch (was 17 inches on 20th February)

Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0 inch (was 12.5 inches on 20th February)

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 for your support.

Editorial note: although trail details in this Report were extensively revised on Monday 23rd February for many major routes, the rate of melting in the past 4-5 days has been literally unprecedented. Trails below 7000 ft have largely cleared of snow, with increasing patchiness of snow at all elevations. Temperatures are not expected to drop sufficiently to allow some firming of higher elevation snow until 2nd March.

With such a rapid rise in temperatures, snow conditions are changing on several time scales; weekly, daily, and even hourly. Well-prepared hikers will account for these changes. Underfoot conditions are already dramatically different now compared to 3-6 days ago, and will change even further over the course of the next few (unseasonably warm) days. Snow firm enough for barebooting (or spikes) early in the morning is turning into soft slop by mid morning, for which snowshoes are invaluable. This weekend snow at all elevations will be soft throughout the day, as overnight temperatures remain well above freezing even in the high country. Hikers unwilling to carry snowshoes must anticipate widespread and severe postholing.

Three snow storms in very quick succession impacted the region across four days on 16th-19th February. Although technically three separate storms, the impact on the mountain and trail system has functioned as one major storm, with the most substantial (so far) snowfall of winter 2025/26, especially at mid elevations.

Although the combined 26 inches of new snow around the highest peaks was desperately needed and is of course extremely welcome, this was at the lowest end of the forecast expectations, and hopes for 3-5 feet of snow were not ultimately realized.

I recorded a rather-too-lengthy video report from 10,350 ft on the east slope of San Jacinto Peak mid morning of Friday 20th February that summarizes the three storms and conditions at that time (linked here).

Snow fell in three distinct periods, on the afternoon and evening of Monday 16th, then again overnight on 17th-18th, followed by a much more minor snowfall on the evening of Thursday 19th. As was widely forecast this latest storm pattern was significantly colder than others so far this season, with freeze levels more typical of the historical average (at or below 5000 ft for much of the storm period). Consequently there was considerable snowfall at mid elevations, with the first snow of the winter recorded, for example, in Idyllwild (12.5 inches at 5550 ft across the four days), and with all three storms dusting down into Garner Valley (4400 ft).

As is increasingly the trend with a rapidly changing climate in recent years, there was relatively little difference in snowfall between the mid and upper elevations, with 12.5 inches measured in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) through to 26 inches at San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft). Locations on the western side of the mountain range, especially those in and around Strawberry Valley, received disproportionately more snowfall, as those areas were “socked in” by storms originating from the south-west, while the highest elevations were, at times, above the cloud.

Snow depths are currently ideal for snowshoeing everywhere above about 7000 ft at all times, lower as snow softens by mid morning (late morning in sheltered areas). Elsewhere, and in addition, spikes are recommended for the foreseeable future as established trails will eventually become consolidated by hiker traffic and will undergo freeze-thaw cycles.

Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Even where well-traveled tracks are in place, they may not lead where you want to go (or not on the angle of terrain you would prefer to hike). As described below, some major trails have not yet been traveled at all, and that is unlikely to happen before next weekend at the earliest.

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 may be much easier hiking than traversing across just a few inches depth of angled virgin icy snow.

The USFS gate at Humber Park closed on 18th February. While theoretically nine legal parking spaces remain immediately below the gate, an unconventional ploughing approach during these latest storms has left space for only 3-5 vehicles to safely park. Conditions in the area are very icy and currently only suitable for 4WD/AWD vehicles anyway, so this area is best avoided in the absence of further ploughing. Parking on Forest Drive, just below the Fern Valley Water District facility, is strongly recommended.

Black Mountain Road (4S01) is closed at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time it was thoroughly graded. South Ridge Road (5S11) closed due to winter conditions on 22nd February.

On 25th February, the state park closed the section of Skyline Trail under their administration (from 5600 ft to Grubb’s Notch). This is apparently due to “unsupportive snow” and “constant post-holing”. While hikers will be understandably upset at the state park for this poor decision, please also direct your ire at those hikers who are unprepared for the conditions – physically, mentally, or in terms of equipment – who consequently encourage the agencies to make such decisions.

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 2-3 times 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 rapidly starting Friday 20th, and will be far above seasonal in the last week of February (likely record-breaking warmth on Friday 27th at all elevations). Temperatures are forecast to be above freezing >10,000 ft elevation for the remainder of the month, and with clear, sunny days expected, melting of snow will be very rapid, especially on sun-exposed slopes. Temperatures are tentatively forecast to cool closer to seasonal in the first week of March, but by then much of the damage (in terms of snowmelt) will have been done.

The storm system on 16th-19th February consisted of three distinct phases, with the majority of the snow in the high country in the first storm, overnight on 16th. At mid elevations, the first phase was mild enough to initially produce rain, with 0.57 inches in Idyllwild, before turning to snow around dusk on 16th. The second phase was overnight on 17th, with bulk of the high country snow actually falling in the early hours of Wednesday 18th (about half the depth of the previous day). Finally the third storm passed through on Thursday 19th, with much lighter snow falling throughout much of the day, from late morning until just after dusk.

At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Monday 23rd February 2026 at 0930 the air temperature was 41.7°F (5°C),with a windchill temperature of 33.3°F (1°C), 28% relative humidity, and a light WNW wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 10.4 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 20th February 2026 at 0740 the air temperature was 17.8°F (-8°C),with a windchill temperature of -7.1°F (-22°C), 49% relative humidity, and a wild WNW wind sustained at 22 mph gusting to 36.2 mph.

At the Peak on Thursday 19th February 2026 at 1010 the air temperature was 15.3°F (-9°C), with a windchill temperature of -6.2°F (-21°C), 100% relative humidity, and a frigid WSW wind sustained at 14 mph gusting to 22.3 mph.

At the Peak on Tuesday 17th February 2026 at 0830 the air temperature was 11.0°F (-12°C), with a windchill temperature of -11.2°F (-24°C), 100% relative humidity, and a steady due West wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 24.2 mph.

At the Peak on Monday 16th February 2026 at 1410 the air temperature was 23.9°F (-5°C), with a windchill temperature of 5.5 °F (-15°C), 100% relative humidity, and a subdued SW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 21.1 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

All trails above about 6500 ft are completely snow-covered, and largely snow-covered above 5500 ft. By the afternoon of Friday 20th, melting was already well underway below 7000 ft, and by Monday 23rd, all elevations had already lost 2-4 inches of snow to melting.

Snowshoes are currently invaluable everywhere above about 9000 ft, and can be used as low as 6000 ft as snow softens dramatically by late morning, as long as depths remain sufficient at such low elevation (probably until later this week). Conversely, snowshoes are also invaluable in the most sheltered areas that have yet to experience freeze-thaw cycles and hence the snow is still relatively fresh powder (e.g., parts of upper Deer Springs Trail, and either side of Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 181).

Elsewhere (and in addition), spikes are recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above 6000 ft due to localized icing, and as established trails become increasingly consolidated by hiker traffic and undergo freeze-thaw cycles. Crampons are an option in the high country for the next few days, especially in the morning when snow remains firm, but warming is forecast to be so rapid that severe postholing will soon become a problem.

In prior winters I have mentioned the challenges of hard, icy snow underfoot and the value of using spikes especially for descending and traversing. Snow at all elevations will become increasingly firm and icy following multiple freeze-thaw cycles, and I cannot overemphasize the importance of having both appropriate equipment and the right skill set for the terrain. The latter includes interpreting the snow/ice conditions, understanding your physical and mental abilities, and conservative decision making. These concerns may steadily increase over the next couple of weeks with dramatically rising then falling temperatures, seasonally stronger insolation, and highly variable snowmelt.

Ernie Maxwell Trail [surveyed 26th February] has an average of 70% snow cover remaining, lower at the southern end and increasing to about 90% near Humber Park. Snow is thin and soft but still slippery, spikes are useful.

Devil’s Slide Trail [surveyed 23rd February] has a well-defined track to follow through continuous snow. Snowshoes are currently useful as snow is soft, otherwise spikes are recommended, at least for descending, but are not critical for early morning ascending if the snow is firm.

Wellman Trail [surveyed 23rd February] has only a lightly traveled snowshoe track along its entire length, with only my own tracks (from 20th and 23rd) between Wellman’s Cienega and Wellman Divide. Nevertheless the route is easy to follow. Snowshoes are ideal for the southern section (in the forest and hence still powdery) and for the switchbacks (sun-exposed with soft snow by mid morning).

Almost all of the Peak Trail [surveyed 23rd February] has been very well-traveled, although in places the most heavily traveled track does not accurately follow the trail route (although my snowshoe tracks from 20th remain readily apparent). There is a well-compacted posthole and snowshoe route from Wellman Divide to about 10,000 ft. As is traditional after a reasonable fresh snowfall, the weekend tram traffic has created a myriad mess of tracks above 10,000 ft. Two different well-traveled snowshoe tracks join the Peak Trail here from Tamarack (roughly following the “Sid Davis” route), and two more join just below Miller Peak (near 10,400 ft). Multiple well-traveled posthole, ski, and snowshoe tracks include one that largely follows the uppermost traverse of the Peak Trail to Summit Junction (meeting Deer Springs Trail).

A well-traveled and well-defined compacted snowshoe track broadly follows the East Ridge Trail route from near the Miller switchback (10,400 ft) to San Jacinto Peak, and is an excellent alternative to the upper Peak Trail.

The Round Valley Trail [surveyed 23rd February] has a well-traveled snowshoe and posthole track through continuous moderate depth snow from Long Valley to Wellman Divide. Multiple alternate tracks turn off to head more directly up to the Peak Trail, as described above.

Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 23rd February] has a heavily-traveled posthole track to the Suicide Rock Trail junction. Thereafter the route has been lightly traveled, with the only track that exactly follows the trail route my descending snowshoe tracks from 23rd (between upper Little Round Valley [LRV] and the Suicide junction). Snow below 8600 ft (just south of the Marion junction) is very soft by about late morning and snowshoes make for a much easier hike than miles of deep postholing. From the junction with Marion Mountain Trail, a better-traveled snowshoe track exists briefly, with much of the weekend traffic turning back by the Fuller Ridge junction. A couple of snowshoe tracks and one posthole track continue toward Little Round Valley, with the lone posthole track ending about 0.5 mile below LRV. Much of the section between 8800-9500 ft is sheltered and snowshoes are invaluable through the light powder. Two snowshoe tracks pass through LRV, with only my descending track from 23rd accurately following the trail. From LRV to San Jacinto Peak there is only one known continuous track, my snowshoe tracks which descend very directly from the uppermost switchback (example photo below). I did find one other up-and-down snowshoe track just above LRV, but it was unclear whether this makes it to the Peak.

Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 23rd February] has a moderately well-traveled snowshoe track along its entire length that largely follows the true trail route. When firm spikes are recommended, at least for descending, but later in the day and on warmer days, snowshoes are invaluable.

As of 23rd February there were no tracks through continuous snow on Seven Pines Trail, Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5), or Strawberry Trail (PCT Miles 181-183).

Early on the morning of Saturday 21st we broke trail through light to moderate depth snow on South Ridge Road and South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak (photos below). At that time these routes were untraveled, but by the time we descended, other hikers were postholing through rapidly softening snow at least part way to the peak. One week later on Saturday 28th South Ridge Trail was largely clear of snow to Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft), with only about 10% coverage of small, soft snow patches below that elevation. Snow remains virtually continuous from there to Tahquitz Peak, but is of course much thinner and softer, with largely continuous postholing. Four new blowdowns that came down on this trail in the mid February storms have already been removed by the Trail Report.

The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak currently has no track to follow through steeply angled icy snow. These icy slopes on the north side of Tahquitz Peak are notoriously treacherous. Currently crampons with an ice axe, and the requisite skills to use this equipment in high angle terrain, are critical.

Spitler Peak Trail [surveyed 27th February] is functionally clear of snow, with a few limited patches of soft, thin snow remaining in the upper third of the trail. The Trail Report cleared another nine trees from the lower four miles of the trail; we have now removed 183 trees from this trail in recent years. Unfortunately the trail suffered major blowdowns in the most recent storm sequence and four large burned cedars are seriously obstructing the trail between 3.2-4.0 miles up from the trailhead. Several additional small trees remain uncut closer to the PCT.

SNOW DEPTHS

Snow depths measured on 16th-20th February 2026 (unless indicated otherwise) are as follows. Current total depth is the principal number given, followed (in parentheses) by details of the fresh snowfall where known. Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 26 inches, drifted 3-4 feet deep in places, notably on east and north sides, especially East Ridge (14 inches on 16th, 7 inches on 17th, 5 inches on 18th)[patchy icy snow persisting from storms in late November was a negligible 0-3 inches deep]

Little Round Valley (9750 ft): 23 inches, drifted to 30-35 inches in places (measured 23rd February)

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 20 inches (9 inches on 16th, 8 inches on 17th, 3 inches on 19th)

Annie’s Junction/PCT Mile 181 (9020 ft): 27 inches (13 inches on 16th, 10 inches on 17th, 4 inches on 19th)

Tahquitz Peak (8836 ft): 23 inches (measured on 21st, heavily drifted in this exposed location)

Long Valley (8500 ft): 14 inches (8 inches on 16th, 4 inches on 17th, 2 inches on 19th)

Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8100 ft): 15 inches (measured 23rd February)

Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 22 inches (11 inches on 16th, 8 inches on 17th, 3 inches on 19th)

Suicide Rock/Deer Springs trails junction (7000 ft): 8 inches (measured 23rd February)

South Ridge Trail trailhead at top of South Ridge Road (6500 ft): 16 inches (measured 21st)

Devil’s Slide Trail trailhead at Humber Park (6500 ft): 17 inches (9 inches on 16th, 6 inches on 17th, 2 inches on 19th)

Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 12.5 inches snow (6 inches on 16th, 3.5 inches on 17th, 3 inches on 19th) with 0.57 inches rain on Monday 16th preceding the snow.

Mountain Center (4500 ft): 2 inches (mainly on 16th and 19th, already largely melted).

Quinn Flat, Garner Valley (4450 ft): 1.25 inch (0.25 on 17th, melted, plus one inch on 19th).

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 for your support.

Back-to-back-to-back storm systems – expected to be the coldest and most vigorous of the season to date – are forecast for the region between Monday 16th and Thursday 19th February 2026. The three systems will impact the San Jacinto mountains on the afternoon and night of 16th, the night of 17th, and throughout the day on 19th, with significant clearing between each, at least in the high country.

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 storms, is tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Friday 20th.

UPDATE Thurday 19th February 2026 at 1830

Steady snowfall since late morning at San Jacinto Peak has totaled four inches, with possibly a little more to come this evening. All the snow has been extremely fine rounded grains, which makes for lovely powder, but accumulates very slowly.

In Idyllwild about 1.5 inches of snow has accumulated (at 5550 ft) but even at that elevation it has been admixed with sleet.

UPDATE Thurday 19th February 2026 at 1230

Snowshoeing conditions were exceptionally good on my ascent to San Jacinto Peak this morning, with very firm powder throughout. Temperatures are frigid however, below freezing everywhere above 4000 ft, with severe windchills in the high country.

Total snow accumulation at San Jacinto Peak is currently 21 inches, but with dramatic drifting everywhere above 9000 ft.

It started snowing both in Idyllwild and the high country at about 1115. Snow falling above 10,000 ft is extremely fine rounded grains, currently accumulating at just 0.25 inch/hour.

UPDATE Wednesday 18th February 2026 at 1200

The second storm of the sequence produced only seven inches of fresh snow at San Jacinto Peak overnight, for a total accumulation of 21 inches. Drifting has been severe, with strong winds at upper and mid elevations all night.

Fresh snow in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) was an unexpectedly low three inches. Snow quality below 6000 ft is atrocious, with a very high water content, bordering on glorified slush. The overnight snow was preceded by 0.13 inch of rain late yesterday afternoon.

Snow dusted as low as 4400 ft in Garner Valley. Cloud became patchy by mid morning, with no further precipitation expected today.

The USFS gate at Humber Park closed on 18th February. While theoretically nine legal parking spaces remain immediately below the gate, an unconventional ploughing approach this time has left space for only 2-3 vehicles to park safely. Parking on Forest Drive, just below the Fern Valley Water District facility, is strongly recommended.

UPDATE Tuesday 17th February 2026 at 1430

Snow depths measured on my hike this morning were: 9 inches at Devil’s Slide trailhead at Humber Park; 11 inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft); 13 inches at Annie’s Junction (9020 ft); 9 inches at Wellman Divide (9700 ft); 14 inches at San Jacinto Peak.

The snow quality deteriorated as I descended, with delightful, fine, dry powder in the high country down to about 8500 ft, becoming markedly wetter and heavier below that elevation, especially on Devil’s Slide Trail.

Although the high country was largely above the cloud, it was snowing intermittently below 9000 ft on the west side of the mountains during my early afternoon descent, especially in Strawberry Valley (where Idyllwild is located), which traditionally gets socked in during storms that originate from the south-west.

Despite the air temperature only 1-2 degrees above freezing in Idyllwild this afternoon, melting has been rapid with nearly half of the overnight snow already melted.

UPDATE Tuesday 17th February 2026 at 0615

Total snow depth at San Jacinto Peak this morning is 14 inches, following a further eight inches overnight.

I recorded a short video report from the Peak at about 0830 (linked here). At this time, snow conditions are excellent for snowshoeing above 8000 ft, as low as 7000 ft in places.

Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) has had a storm total of six inches of snow. Snow dusted as low as 4500 ft elevation in places (but this has since melted rapidly).

The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation this year. Since the Report became established online snow/ice rescues in the San Jacinto Mountains have declined 82%, the Report has been used by tens of thousands of hikers, and multiple lives have been saved, both directly and indirectly. While all time and labor is volunteered, the Report uses small donations to help cover modest operating costs. This keeps 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.

UPDATE Monday 16th February 2026 at 1950

Snow accumulated to 2.25 inches in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) this evening before stopping at about 1900. It has also stopped in Long Valley (8500 ft) where about four inches fell this afternoon.

Very light snow of fine rounded grains continues at San Jacinto Peak, where the total depth is now about six inches (but heavily drifted). A final band of intense snow – to complete the first storm of three – is forecast for the early hours of tomorrow morning.

UPDATE Monday 16th February 2026 at 1630

Rain in Idyllwild this afternoon totaled 0.57 inch before turning to steady snowfall at about 1600.

In the high country snow has been steady all afternoon, but being very fine grains it is accumulating slowly, with three inches at San Jacinto Peak in the past five hours, and about two inches in Long Valley (8500 ft).

UPDATE Monday 16th February 2026 at 1430

As forecast, snow started falling right as I summited San Jacinto Peak at 1130. The fine grain snow, drifting in gusty winds, is accumulating at about 0.5 inch/hour. Winds have so far not been close to the gale force that was forecasted.

The initial wave of the first storm is relatively mild, and light rain started in Idyllwild at 1230, with 0.25 inch falling by 1430. The expectation is that it will start snowing at mid elevations overnight.