Minor snow storm update 5th January 2026

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

The “blocking” high pressure area returns to Southern California during the course of this week, with temperatures moving back above seasonal at the beginning of next week, with, predictably, no further precipitation in the forecasts thereafter. Melting is expected to be steady this week, then accelerating next week, especially given that snow depths everywhere are minimal. Note that prior to temperatures rising, Thursday 8th will see strong NW winds at all elevations – with severe windchills but possibly little or no precipitation – as a system passes to our north.

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

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

Prodigious rain continued until near dawn on 5th at mid elevations, with another 1.21 inches in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) in the 24 hours to 0700 that morning, for a storm total of 1.93, and remarkably 6.9 inches in the 13 days since 23rd December.

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

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

TRAIL CONDITIONS

There are fresh tracks to follow on South Ridge, Wellman, Peak, Deer Springs, and Marion Mountain trails, plus the PCT from Miles 177-181, as of early afternoon on Monday 5th.

Carrying spikes remains recommended everywhere above about 9000 ft. Over the course of this week high country trails may become somewhat compacted from hiker traffic, and will undergo freeze/thaw cycles, turning the current powder into firmer, icy snow. Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they seem marginally necessary for ascending.

WEATHER

At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Monday 5th January 2026 at 1100 the air temperature was 19.7°F (-7°C), with a windchill temperature of -1.5°F (-19°C), 59% relative humidity, and a bitter SW wind sustained at 21 mph gusting to 26.4 mph.

The upper level cloud just starting to break around Tahquitz Peak fire lookout, early morning 5th January 2026.

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

The Peak Trail at 10,500 ft looking north-east towards Miller Peak, mid morning 5th January 2026. The snow in the foreground, despite its impressive appearance, is actually just a few inches thick, making for easy light postholing. Underfoot conditions may fluctuate dramatically with time of day and sun exposure over the next few days.
The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail that crosses the north face of Tahquitz Peak from Chinquapin Flat has very thin powder, with almost no underlying icy snow from earlier in the winter remaining, early morning 5th January 2026. Spikes will not be required by most hikers.
Upper Deer Springs Trail passing through Little Round Valley (9800 ft), late morning 5th January 2026. Snow depth varies here depending on prior melting, but fresh snowfall was only two inches.
Wellman Divide (9700 ft), mid morning 5th January 2026, with surprisingly only two inches of fresh snow overnight. The ice on the sign gives a strong indication of the extent of freezing rainfall that preceded the snowfall.
Deer Springs Trail (to the right) where it splits from the PCT/Fuller Ridge Trail (to the left) at PCT Mile 185.5, early afternoon 5th January 2026, under an average depth of two inches of fresh powder overlying one to two inches of icy snow remaining from prior storms.
Strawberry Junction (8050 ft), early afternoon 5th January 2026, with the inch of fresh snow already melting in such a sun-exposed location.
Saddle Junction (8100 ft), early morning 5th January 2026, covered by just an inch of fresh snow, with no old snow or ice remaining from prior storms underneath.
South Ridge Trail in the upper switchbacks south of the lookout at about 8400 ft, early morning 5th January 2026. Average snow depth was only 1.5 inches, and will melt very quickly here as this slope is so sun-exposed.
Spectacular ice formations from freezing rain on Live Oak trees just below Tahquitz Peak, early morning 5th January 2026. Despite 1-2 inches of snow at this elevation, it was clearly heavily admixed with rain and sleet throughout the storm.
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