With high pressure returning to the American west, strong Santa Ana winds have been a feature of the past two days, with no further precipitation since 5th January and none likely for at least the next 7-9 days.
The most recent storm of winter 2025/26 produced significant rainfall at mid elevations on 3rd-4th January, plus a minor snowfall overnight on 4th January. It was significantly colder – with thankfully more snow than rain at upper elevations – than most of the relatively mild storms so far this winter (and was described in more detail in the previous Report linked here).
The morning of Thursday 8th January was a remarkable time to be on San Jacinto Peak. Strong winds had been forecast, and I timed my morning hike to experience them. In truly wild conditions, I recorded the highest wind gust reported in winter at the Peak (60.4 mph) and the highest sustained wind speed I have ever recorded there (44 mph). (The all-time record wind gust recorded at the Peak was 77.8 mph on 9th September 2022 during Tropical Storm Kay.) I recorded a short video from the Peak (linked here) although even that doesn’t adequately convey the dramatic wind speeds.
With the high country starting to warm to above freezing, melting has been steady since the weekend, especially on sun-exposed slopes. Melting will now accelerate dramatically this week with temperatures forecast to be well above seasonal and with snow depths minimal everywhere.
South Ridge Road (5S11) closed to vehicles on Saturday 3rd January having been partially blocked by a rockslide about 0.5 mile up following heavy rains (photo in an earlier Report linked here). Note that the road (and of course the trail of the same name) remain open to hikers.
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 (even more frequently before, during, and after storms), Tahquitz Peak and associated trails at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.
WEATHER
Temperatures remained below average until Friday 9th, but have now risen and will be well above seasonal for 13th-21st January (at least), as a “blocking” high pressure system moves back in over California, generally redirecting storm systems well north of our region once again. There is a tentative forecast for cooling and a dusting of light snow in the high country on 21st-24th January as a storm system passes largely well to the north.
Periodically gusty Santa Ana (north-east) winds are forecast for 9th-16th January. While air temperatures will actually be rising rapidly, windchills will feel severe, especially around peaks and ridges during the first few days of that period.
At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Monday 12th January 2026 at 0835 the air temperature was 29.9°F (-1°C), with a windchill temperature of 12.6°F (-11°C), 27% relative humidity, and a remarkably steady NE wind sustained at 25 mph gusting to 29.2 mph.
At the Peak on Thursday 8th January 2026 at 0945 the air temperature was 16.9°F (-8°C), with a windchill temperature of -12.3°F (-25°C), 63% relative humidity, and a record-breaking WNW wind sustained at 44 mph gusting to 60.4 mph. The latter was a record wind gust for winter at the Peak (photo below), and the former an all-time record for sustained wind speed that I have recorded at the Peak.
TRAIL CONDITIONS
All major trails have reliable tracks to follow through snow (where present) at this time. Snow on trails is generally increasingly patchy where it persists from 7600-9000 ft, but remains largely continuous above about 9000 ft (west side) and 9600 ft (east side). However it is thin everywhere, generally only an inch deep at most below about 9700 ft, and will melt rapidly as temperatures rise throughout the next week.
Although snow is thin, high country trails are becoming compacted from hiker traffic, and will continue to undergo freeze/thaw cycles, combining to turn powder into firm, locally icy snow. This ice can be unexpectedly treacherous in places.
Carrying spikes remains valuable everywhere above about 9000 ft, and some hikers may find them useful in places as low as 8000 ft. Spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending, even when they seem unnecessary for ascending.
Snow depths and conditions are inadequate for snowshoes even at the highest elevations, and while crampons can be used on compacted trails and off-trail above about 9800 ft, snow depths are now generally inadequate (and will thin even more rapidly this week) making spikes a better option.
The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail on the north side of Tahquitz ridge from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 10th January] was, remarkably, almost completely clear of icy snow (that remained from November) when checked on the morning of Saturday 3rd, having been drastically melted by mild rainfall in the preceding days. Fresh snow on this trail from 5th is very thin, and although becoming icy with some compaction, most hikers will not require spikes (photo below).
Devil’s Slide Trail [surveyed 12th January] is functionally clear of snow. Spikes are not required.
Snow cover on the Wellman Trail [surveyed 12th January] averages about 50% but is extremely thin, and most of this largely sun-exposed trail will clear rapidly in the next few days. In places, notably at Wellman’s Cienega and for 0.1 mile immediately north, the trail is extremely icy in the morning.
The Peak Trail [surveyed 12th January] has thin but continuous snow cover from Wellman Divide to San Jacinto Peak. Many hikers will find spikes useful, mostly for descending. The least sun-exposed section at 9900-10,100 ft has also drifted the most, and locally depths are 6-8 inches, but snow is very firm with a well-defined track to follow. At this time almost all hiker traffic has remained on the route of the upper trail, with only a rough snow track on the East Ridge Trail route. Immediately around San Jacinto Peak it is extremely icy due to sun exposure and freeze/thaw cycles, and spikes are invaluable.
South Ridge Trail [surveyed 10th January] south of Tahquitz Peak is largely clear of snow to 8500 ft (about 5% snow cover above 7800 ft). Icy snow is almost continuous above 8500 ft (switchback 9) but is thin and will melt rapidly next week. Hikers may find spikes useful, especially for descending the uppermost trail (photo below), probably only for the remainder of this week however.
Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 12th January] is currently a trail of two halves. It is completely clear of snow to 7600 ft (roughly midway) and thereafter has about 90% cover of very thin, often icy, snow. Spikes are not required, but some hikers will find them useful, especially for descending. Melting will be rapid on this trail this week as snow is so thin (<1 inch) throughout.
Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 12th January] is clear of snow to Strawberry Junction. Very thin snow is rapidly clearing from there to about 8500 ft (just 0.3 mile south of the Marion Mountain Trail junction), largely persisting only in the most sheltered forested patches. From the junction with Marion Mountain Trail snow cover is almost continuous, often icy, but very thin, through to San Jacinto Peak. There is an excellent, compacted snow/ice track to follow throughout. Icy snow will become increasingly patchy next week both above and below Little Round Valley, but due to differential drifting and sun exposure, snow may remain several inches deep in most of Little Round Valley for another week or so. Hikers will find spikes can be useful on the upper trail, especially for descending from the Peak to 9400 ft (less than one mile below Little Round Valley), although they are not essential for those very experienced in such terrain.
Seven Pines Trail [surveyed 12th January] is functionally clear of snow to 8000 ft, and thereafter snow cover is very thin and increasingly patchy. There is currently no track to follow through the snow patches.
Fuller Ridge Trail [surveyed 12th January] has a lightly traveled track to follow through very thin snow cover on the uppermost (southern) trail. Most of the trail, especially sun-exposed sections and north of PCT Mile 188, is functionally clear of snow.
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.
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