UPDATE Saturday 26th April 2025: very light, fine snow started as low as Idyllwild at 1145 and continued on/off all afternoon as I ascended to San Jacinto Peak. Total accumulation in the high country was barely one inch, as I described in a short video report recorded at the Peak (linked here). As I descended this evening, snow depth at Saddle Junction (8100 ft) was 0.5 inch (photo below), with a patchy 0.25 inch at Humber Park (6500 ft). The very light snow has not significantly altered the trail conditions described below. Spikes remain useful to carry, but are certainly not generally required.
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The passage of a storm system largely to our north this weekend will draw the marine layer high up onto the west slope of the San Jacinto mountains, in a similar manner to the event described below on 16th-18th. This will result in cloudy, cool, and damp conditions at mid elevations on 26th-27th, with a forecast for light precipitation on Saturday 26th, in the afternoon and again overnight. Initially forecast to be drizzle, temperatures may be cold enough for very light snow as low as 5000 ft (unlikely to accumulate more than one inch). Temperatures will certainly be below freezing in the high country on 25th-28th, and even below seasonal on 26th-27th. The highest peaks may remain above the cloud, but an inch of snow has been predicted in the most recent forecasts.
Trails below 9000 ft have now generally cleared of snow (except the most sheltered areas) and even the highest peaks are rapidly clearing on all but their most sheltered slopes (example photos below). The Pacific Crest Trail has heavily-traveled tracks in the very limited areas – described below – where snow remains on the trail in the San Jacinto mountains. Spikes provide ample traction, but are no longer needed on most of the PCT.
Below-seasonal temperatures on 16th-18th April were accompanied by an especially deep and dense marine cloud layer (photos below), at times bringing thick fog to Idyllwild. Over the three days, sadly drizzle in Idyllwild only added up to 0.06 inch, with zero precipitation in the high country which remained above the cloud.
Spikes remain a useful option above about 9000 ft (lower in a handful of places) although with reliable grippy footwear, hikers experienced on icy snow will find spikes are generally no longer required on established tracks. This even includes the north side of Tahquitz Peak, although spikes – at least – remain strongly recommended there (details below).
Snow depths are no longer detailed below. This does not imply that there is no snow in the high country, rather that snow cover is generally too patchy in most areas to provide meaningful measurements or change hiking conditions. Forecast warm and sunny weather will result in continuing steady snowmelt.
Black Mountain Road remains closed (to vehicle traffic only) at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. USFS expects to reopen the road before the end of April. Dark Canyon Road (4S02), the access road to the Seven Pines trailhead, is expected to be closed for the year due to staffing/budget reasons (the trail and road remain open for hikers however). USFS gates at Humber Park and South Ridge Road both reopened in late March after brief closures.
Survey hikes by the Trail Report every single day throughout the year in the San Jacinto mountains include varied routes to the high peaks including San Jacinto Peak typically 2-3 times per week (more frequently during storms), Tahquitz Peak and area 1-2 times per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.
WEATHER
Temperatures have been above seasonal averages for much of April, and that trend is forecast to broadly continue for the remainder of the month, with temperatures getting especially warm from Tuesday 29th into the first week of May.
Another high marine layer event on the western slope will result in cloudy, cool, and damp conditions at mid elevations on 26th-27th, with a forecast for light drizzle (<0.2 inch) in Idyllwild on Saturday 26th, possibly mixed with, or turning to, very light snow down to 5000 ft. Temperatures well below freezing on 25th-28th in the high country may result in very light snow (1-2 inches) on 26th, but it is also possible that the uppermost elevations remain above the cloud.
Below-seasonal temperatures on 16th-18th April were accompanied by an especially deep and dense marine cloud layer which brought periodic very light drizzle. In Idyllwild this only added up to 0.06 inch across the three days, with no precipitation above 9000 ft.
The latest video discussion from National Weather Service San Diego (linked here) includes data that confirm that this winter in Southern California has been one of the driest and warmest on record – with observations back to 1850 – especially for our area of montane central Riverside Country. Projections for the next few months suggest a hotter-than-average summer, with no clarity at this time on the likelihood of monsoonal moisture reaching us before late summer, if at all.
At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Sunday 20th April 2025 at 0800 the air temperature was 36.8°F (3°C), with a “windchill” temperature of 34.9°F (2°C), 25% relative humidity, and a barely discernable SW breeze sustained at 0 mph gusting to 2.6 mph.
At the Peak on Thursday 17th April 2025 at 0850 the air temperature was 31.1°F (-1°C), with a windchill temperature of 20.5°F (-6°C), 25% relative humidity, and a light WNW wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 9.6 mph.
At the Peak on Wednesday 16th April 2025 at 0815 the air temperature was 36.9°F (3°C), with a windchill temperature of 25.0°F (-4°C), 17% relative humidity, and a fresh SSW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 12.0 mph.
TRAIL CONDITIONS
Snowmelt has been generally rapid since the last notable storm in mid March, and will continue throughout the remainder of April. Snow depths and trail conditions in the first half of April more closely resembled May (or even early June in a good snow year).
Everywhere above about 9000 ft carrying spikes is recommended as established trails have been consolidated by hiker traffic. As always, spikes tend to be most useful for descending, even when they are not necessarily required for ascending. Hikers with considerable experience on snow and ice will find that spikes are now generally not required on the tracks of the established trail system.
The Pacific Crest Trail through the San Jacinto mountains is largely clear of snow. Snow is gone from Miles 151 (Highway 74) to about Mile 175. Snow cover averages 60% from Miles 175 (Red Tahquitz) to 177.7 (Chinquapin Flat). Snow cover is very patchy between Miles 177.7 to Saddle Junction (about Mile 179). The south-facing slope of Miles 179-180 is clear, but from Mile 180 (elevation 8900 ft) to about Mile 181 just past Annie’s Junction snow cover is about 80%. Miles 181-184 are sun-exposed and clear. Snow cover increases after Mile 184. There is a well-traveled boot track through an average of 50% snow cover on the PCT along Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-191). This track does not accurately follow the trail in places. Miles 186-186.5 and 187.5-188.3 in particular are sun-exposed and now snow-free. Most hikers will find spikes are useful in places throughout this section, but they are not required as the track is well-defined with good steps. The trail is functionally clear of snow from Mile 190 northwards.
PCT hikers should not attempt to use South Ridge Trail from the PCT at Chinquapin Flat (roughly Mile 177.7) to Idyllwild via Tahquitz Peak, even though this looks temptingly short and simple on apps and maps (photo above, further details below).
Although the situation improved somewhat in 2024, treefall hazards remain a significant problem along parts of the Pacific Crest Trail, most notably between Antsell Rock and South Peak. About 60 trees are down across the trail between PCT Miles 170.5-174, with 37 of these, including several serious obstructions that make for slow-going, between Miles 172.5-174 (around and immediately south of South Peak). A further nine smaller obstructions are down from Miles 168.5-170.5 (Spitler Peak Trail to Zen Center Trail). Significant sections of Miles 168.5-175 are also badly overgrown with brush and are in urgent need of major trimming work.
PCT hikers are asked to respect that overnight stays are not permitted at or near San Jacinto Peak, including in the historic shelter, to minimize impacts to a sensitive subalpine environment. Officially Mt. San Jacinto State Park permits overnight stays only in established campgrounds (Little Round Valley and Strawberry Junction are good options for thru-hikers).
Devil’s Slide Trail [surveyed 17th April] is clear of snow.
The Ernie Maxwell Trail is clear of snow. The one remaining minor downed tree on this trail has been reported to the Forest Service.
The PCT heading north from Saddle Junction is clear of snow to 9000 ft (approx. Miles 179-180, a.k.a. “Angel’s Glide”).
Snow cover on the Wellman Trail [surveyed 17th April] is only 20% and is almost entirely confined the forested 0.3 mile section immediately north of Annie’s Junction. Wellman’s Cienega is unfrozen and flowing well.
The Peak Trail [surveyed 17th April] now averages only 40% snow cover, almost all of which is above 10,000 ft elevation. Snow cover is continuous in the north-facing and sheltered section at 9900-10,100 ft that is always slow to clear in spring. There is a well-traveled compacted posthole track on the uppermost part of the Peak Trail.
The East Ridge Trail route [surveyed 17th April] to San Jacinto Peak starting at 10,400 ft near Miller Peak remains almost fully snow-covered. The route has been much less-traveled with the recent clearing of the upper Peak Trail, but a posthole track through shallow snow remains.
South Ridge Trail [surveyed 18th April] from the top of South Ridge Road is clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak. Spikes are not required. South Ridge Road is lumpy but readily passable in any moderate clearance vehicle.
The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT Mile 177 and Tahquitz Peak [surveyed twice weekly, most recently 18th April] has a single postholing boot track to follow through the steeply angled snow (photo above), which in its steepest section does not accurately follow the trail route and has considerable underlying ice. These slopes comprise some of the most consequential terrain in winter in these mountains, and this route is still not recommended for most hikers at this time. Although the track is passable without spikes for the most experienced hikers, spikes at a minimum are strongly recommended, should be accompanied by hiking poles or ideally an ice axe, and, critically, adequate experience and knowledge of how to use this equipment in such terrain.
Spitler Peak Trail is clear of snow [multiple surveys in March and April]. Storms in February-March brought down another 34 trees across this trail. All but one were removed in late March, bringing to 162 the total number of trees removed by the Trail Report from this route in the past six years. A very large burned cedar remains which can be a little tricky to pass, next to the first crossing of Spitler Creek (3.2 miles up from the trailhead, 1.6 miles down from the PCT).
Round Valley Trail is largely clear of snow from Long Valley to Round Valley. There is a well-traveled track through the remaining very thin and patchy snow from there to Wellman Divide.
Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 20th April] is clear of snow, other than a limited patch right at the PCT junction.
Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 20th April] is clear of snow to just south of the junction with Marion Mountain Trail (about 1.5 miles north of Strawberry Junction). Thereafter thin snow cover averages 70% to San Jacinto Peak although many patches of trail, lengthy in places, are now clear in the most sun-exposed sections. The well-traveled track is generally easy to follow to Little Round Valley. Above Little Round Valley the trail is roughly 60% clear of snow but both the trail and the remaining posthole tracks are tricky to follow, with the latter frequently running into patches of cleared bushes and rocks. Spikes remain somewhat useful at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail, but especially on mornings when the icy snow is crisp and dry, they are no longer required.
Seven Pines Trail [surveyed 24th April] is functionally clear of snow to 8200 ft, with about 40% cover of soft snow drifts from there to the PCT/Deer Springs Trail. Seventeen downed trees have been removed so far this month, and significant progress made on removal of accumulated winter debris in the trail up to about 8000 ft (photos below). The Trail Report “adopted” Seven Pines as a priority for maintenance work years ago due to a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues in the previous decade, with neither State Park nor Forest Service having shown significant interest in maintaining the route for many years. Since 2019 we have removed 92 downed trees and the trail is generally trimmed and cleared at least annually. About six trees remain to be cut above the current snow line to restore the original trail route, plus one very large recently downed tree lower down. Although our work has largely restored this trail, note that Seven Pines remains a genuine wilderness trail unlike the wider, bare, obvious routes of, for example, Devil’s Slide or Marion Mountain trails. Cautious navigation remains invaluable for those without considerable experience of hiking this trail. Also note the trail becomes most obscure in its uppermost mile – especially at present due to snow drifts – i.e. closest to the Deer Springs Trail/PCT junction.
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 potentially dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned 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 an app). An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the unmaintained 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 largely following established deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.2 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 tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down and requires a minor scramble underneath (that tree will not be cut soon), while another fell in January 2025 close to the bottom of the trail that is relatively easy to cross over. Another five recently downed trees were either removed or worked around in January 2025, when the trail was thoroughly trimmed and cleared. From Laws east to Caramba the original Caramba Trail has been cairned by myself and others and can largely be followed with careful route-finding. My February 2025 survey counted about 120 trees down on this 2.1 miles of trail. It is extremely obscure for the first 0.5 mile east of the Willow Creek crossing, becoming more obvious (but still subtle) as it descends towards Caramba. Very cautious navigation is advised throughout the area.
In late 2024 Willow Creek Trail was nearing its 2020 condition, the last time the original trail route was fully cleared and passable. Four new trees came down on the Forest Service section in January, two of which are large and tricky for hikers to pass. In addition to trees being cut in 2024, whitethorn trimming was largely completed, mainly by volunteers, on the Forest Service side in late summer. On the State Park side localized trimming of the worst patches was undertaken in 2024, and the minor treefall hazards new in 2023/24 were removed, leaving just two major long term downed trees (both easy to pass for hikers).
The Zen Center Trail continues its serious deterioration that started following the 2013 Mountain Fire, with a combination of vigorous regrowth and treefall hazards further obscuring the route with each passing season. The lower and upper thirds of this trail are partially cairned and not too bad for those who are very familiar with the former route, but even the experienced find navigating the central section tricky. Long trousers, scrambling gloves, and a genuine enjoyment of bush-whacking are all strongly recommended.
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