Major snow storm update 8th February 2024

UPDATE Saturday 10th February 2024: in the minor storm system that followed the major storm described below, Idyllwild added another inch of snow overnight on 8th, and a further 2.25 inches of snow on 9th, most of it overnight. Additional new snow appeared to be similar throughout the high country across the same time period.

——————————

The 16th storm system of winter 2023/24 to impact the San Jacinto mountains was by far the greatest in terms of precipitation produced. Although the rainfall and snowfall were both significant, ultimately we did not experience the dramatic numbers and images seen from areas immediately to our west and north. Indeed for the first 24 hours of the storm system’s passage across southern California, it largely missed the San Jacinto mountains, consistently tracking from the south-west to the north-east, but frustratingly always just a few miles to the west.

Consequently we missed out on inches of potential rain. For example by the middle of Tuesday 5th January, most locations in the San Jacinto mountains at 4000-6000 ft had received 1.5-2.0 inches of rain, roughly half that of multiple locations under 2000 ft elevation just 10-30 miles further west in Riverside County.

The early phase of the storm system was very mild, with clear evidence of freezing rain all the way to San Jacinto Peak (which obviously further reduced the potential snow volumes in the high country). We hiked up Devil’s Slide Trail to Saddle Junction on Monday 5th February in a failed attempt to find the freeze level, at a time when it was evidently raining at least to 9000 ft (as discussed in the video embedded in an earlier Report linked here). With the benefit of hindsight, it was raining much higher up than I appreciated!

The storm turned steadily cooler across the four days, becoming dramatically cold on 8th February. The temperature of 6.9°F (-14°C) I recorded at San Jacinto Peak that morning is the eighth coldest air temperature I have ever recorded at the Peak. The snow level dropped as low as 3900 ft near Garner Valley and to 5000 ft on Skyline Trail on the desert side of the mountain (thank you to Florian Boyd for that information).

To adequately assess the storm’s impacts in the high country, I hiked to San Jacinto Peak on both 7th and 8th February. The snow was largely fine rounded grains (“sugar snow”) which has accumulated and compacted sufficiently to make for excellent snowshoeing conditions. Above about 9800 ft, there were traversing sections that had a hard icy layer close to the surface (likely a consequence of the earlier freezing rain) for which crampons could have been an option. Snow depths measured on 8th at various locations are detailed below. See also photos below.

I recorded a short video report from San Jacinto Peak mid-morning on Thursday 8th (linked here) giving a feel for the conditions at that time.

Snowshoes are now invaluable everywhere above about 6000 ft elevation (see photos below). Carrying spikes is recommended everywhere above about 5000 ft. Crampons are required on the north side of Tahquitz Peak, as discussed below, and will become increasingly useful everywhere in the high country above 10,000 ft (possibly lower) over the next few days and weeks as the expected deep snow firms up as it undergoes freeze-thaw cycles and compaction.

Following my hike on 8th there is now a reliable snowshoe track broken on Devil’s Slide Trail, and between Saddle Junction and San Jacinto Peak via the Wellman and Peak trails. There is no evidence of any tracks elsewhere on the high country trails although there will likely be significant high country hiking activity this weekend. Note that my tracks above Wellman Divide, and possibly lower in places, will be compromised by the strong winds and severe spindrift that were still active above 9500 ft as I descended. There is also the possibility of further minor snows later on 8th and on 9th February.

There is currently a significant avalanche risk for the north face of San Jacinto Peak, specifically the Snow Creek drainage. I see avalanches, typically wind slab types, in this drainage every winter, even in low snow years like 2024. Poorly structured underlying layers have now been well laden with 2-4 feet of fresh powder. Although snowfall rates peaked in the early hours of Thursday 8th, wind loading onto a snowpack with a weak base may continue to create dangerous avalanche conditions for at least 1-2 more days. At present snow depths are too shallow for any avalanche risk anywhere in the vicinity of the established trail system.

Humber Park closed on 31st January, has not yet been plowed, and remained closed when last checked on Saturday 10th. Even when closed, there are nine legal parking spaces just below the gate (Adventure Pass or equivalent still required). South Ridge Road is closed due to winter conditions. Azalea Drive – access to Marion Mountain trailhead – has been periodically plowed by USFS.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway will be closed 12th-14th February for repairs on the flood-damaged access road to Valley Station. It is scheduled to reopen on Thursday 15th, but check their website (available here). The tram previously closed twice earlier this month due to the same problem.

WEATHER

Temperatures remain below seasonal for February until Saturday 10th (high country) or Sunday 11th (mid elevations), before then steadily rising to above seasonal throughout next week. Melting of snow will initially be slow but then will accelerate throughout next week, especially on sun-exposed slopes and below 8500 ft (elevations which received more rain than snow in the latest storm).

There is the possibility of further light snow in the high country on Friday 9th February. The next Pacific storm systems are tentatively forecast for 17th-22nd February, another potentially significant double storm sequence, but details are vague at this time.

At San Jacinto Peak (3295m/10,810ft) on Thursday 8th February 2024 at 0815 the air temperature was 6.9°F (-14°C), with a windchill temperature of -18.4°F (-28°C), 100% relative humidity, and a bitter WNW wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 24.9 mph.

At the Peak on Friday 2nd February 2024 at 0820 the air temperature was 15.6°F (-9°C), with a windchill temperature of -5.6°F (-21°C), 100% relative humidity, and a bitter WNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 18.9 mph.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

There is continuous light snow cover on all trails above about 4500 ft, becoming moderate above 6000 ft, and heavy (>20 inches) above about 7500 ft. Patchy snow is present to 4000 ft or even slightly lower. Snow depths measured at specific locations are given below.

Snowshoes are now invaluable everywhere above about 6000 ft elevation (see photos above and below). Carrying spikes is recommended everywhere above about 5000 ft. Crampons are required on the north side of Tahquitz Peak, as discussed below, and will become increasingly useful everywhere in the high country over the next few weeks as the expected deep snow undergoes freeze-thaw cycles and compaction.

The only tracks known to be broken through the snow at this time are up Devil’s Slide Trail, onward via the PCT, Wellman and Peak trails to San Jacinto Peak, although higher up these may have been eliminated by spindrift, wind, and further light snow.

Devil’s Slide Trail has only a single snowshoe track to Saddle Junction (photo below). Snow cover averages a foot deep for much of the trail, increasing to two feet higher up. The upper switchbacks are heavily drifted and require some snow hiking experience.

The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has no track to follow at this time through 23-5 feet of heavily drifted and angled ice and icy snow. Neither snowshoes nor spikes are especially helpful at this time, due to the angled slope and structure of the snow, respectively. Crampons (always with an ice axe) are recommended on this section at this time, along with the necessary skills and experience to use that equipment in icy, angled terrain.

SNOW DEPTHS measured on 8th February 2024 (unless otherwise stated) are as follows. The first number gives current average total depth. The numbers in parentheses gives the new snow from the storm on 4th-8th February, with comments on additional rainfall (where known). Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds there has been considerable drifting, often especially accumulating in trails. Altitudes and PCT mileages are approximate.

San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 55-60 inches (26-28 inches new on 4th-8th February)

Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 41-43 inches (23-24 inches new on 4th-8th February)

Annie’s Junction/approx. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 48-50 inches (23-25 inches new on 4th-8th February)

Long Valley (8600 ft): 24 inches (16 inches new on 5th-8th February, plus 1.54 inches of rain on 4th-5th February)

Saddle Junction/approx. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 31 inches (17 inches new on 5th-8th February, plus estimated 2 inches of rain on 4th-5th).

Devil’s Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 15 inches (13 inches new on 5th-8th February, plus estimated 2 inches of rain on 4th-5th).

Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 9.0 inches (8 inches new on 5th-8th February, plus 1.95 inches of rain on 4th-5th February prior to turning to snow on 5th)

Mountain Center (4400 ft): 2-3 inches (all new 7th-9th February)[measured 9th February]

While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and it is already clear that 2024 will be no exception. Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.