The abysmal snow season continues. Total snowfall to date at San Jacinto Peak (32 inches) is the second lowest in recorded history, with only last winter lower. However, with such warm conditions for much of December and January, the actual snow on the ground around the high peaks this year (0-3 inches) was the lowest on record as of the end of January.
The dusting of snow on Friday 23rd January (described below in Weather) melted within days despite frigid temperatures in the high country. Temperatures climbed again to well above seasonal starting 28th January, with melting expected to remove most of what pitifully little snow remains (almost entirely from late November storms). There is some optimism in the forecasts that the current “blocking” high pressure ridge will give way to a low pressure storm track in mid month, with snow possible most likely starting Saturday 14th February.
It is unprecedented that the Pacific Crest Trail was functionally clear of snow throughout the San Jacinto mountains by the end of January, and hikers remaining on the trail do not require spikes (those taking alternate routes via San Jacinto Peak will find spikes very useful for at least the next week or two, as described under Trail Conditions).
South Ridge Road (5S11) reopened to vehicles on 26th January having been partially blocked by a rockslide about 0.5 mile up following heavy rains at the end of December. The main boulder was moved to a less obstructive position on 23rd (photo below).
Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243, due to “winter conditions” per US Forest Service. Following superficial grading late in 2025 the road is in better condition than last summer, but it remains far worse than in June 2020, the last time Black Mountain Road 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 (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
With high pressure returning to the region in late January, temperatures have risen once again to well above seasonal, with the possibility of Santa Ana winds on the last couple of days of the month, and again on 3rd-5th February. The “blocking” high pressure ridge may give way to a track of low pressure storm systems in mid month. The first of these is tentatively forecast for 14th-15th February. Although details remain unclear, the system may be cold (unlike most other storms this season), with snow possible as low as the mid-elevations (e.g., Idyllwild-Pine Cove and perhaps even lower).
A weak “cut-off” low pressure system passed across Southern California on 22nd-24th January, and subsequently contributed moisture to the dramatic weather well to our east, but generated only minimal snow in the San Jacinto mountains. A dusting overnight on 22nd-23rd included 0.5 inch above 9000 ft increasing to one inch at San Jacinto Peak. The air temperature at the Peak was already just above freezing when I summitted early on 23rd, with rapid melting already well underway especially on the sun-exposed slopes. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) recorded 0.04 inch of rain.
At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Thursday 5th February 2026 at 0920 the air temperature was 32.3°F (0°C), with a windchill temperature of 20.1°F (-7°C), 39% relative humidity, and a steady SSE wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 13.4 mph, with a few very sparse snowflakes in the air.
At the Peak on Sunday 1st February 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 40.4°F (5°C), with a windchill temperature of 27.3°F (-3°C), 29% relative humidity, and a pleasant SSE wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 16.7 mph.
At the Peak on Friday 30th January 2026 at 0925 the air temperature was 34.9°F (2°C), with a windchill temperature of 19.8°F (-7°C), 29% relative humidity, and a steady NNE wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 25.3 mph.
At the Peak on Monday 26th January 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 21.8°F (-5°C), with a windchill temperature of 2.5°F (-17°C), 16% relative humidity, and a frigid SSE wind sustained at 16 mph gusting to 24.0 mph.
At the Peak on Sunday 25th January 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 20.6°F (-6°C), with a windchill temperature of 3.9°F (-16°C), 18% relative humidity, and a brisk NNW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 16.2 mph.
TRAIL CONDITIONS
All major trails are clear of snow or, at uppermost elevations, have reliable tracks to follow through the limited remaining icy snow. Most trails resemble the spring melt season of April-May, rather than late January/early February.
Snow cover averages >40% in trails above about 9700 ft (Deer Springs Trail) and 9900 ft (Peak Trail), and is very icy as it is now compacted from hiker traffic and many freeze/thaw cycles. Melting continues steadily as temperatures are generally above seasonal until about 10th.
Spikes are increasingly useful for the next few days at least due to extensive icing above about 9800 ft. Hikers very comfortable on icy snow will find they are generally unnecessary for ascending, but spikes tend to be especially helpful for descending. Snow depths are now generally too shallow for crampons, and both depth and conditions are inadequate for snowshoes even at the highest elevations.
Devil’s Slide Trail is clear of snow.
The PCT north from Saddle Junction and from Annie’s Junction onward to Strawberry Junction (Miles 179-183) is functionally clear of snow. Spikes are not required.
The PCT south from Saddle Junction is functionally clear of snow, with a few very thin icy patches on the north side of Red Tahquitz (Miles 175-177) but spikes are not needed. Further south (Miles 151-175) the PCT is clear of snow.
The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail on the north side of Tahquitz ridge from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak is functionally snow-free, which is unprecedented for the end of January (photo below).
South Ridge Trail south of Tahquitz Peak is clear of snow.
Snow cover on the Wellman Trail averages less than 5% and is generally very thin, so most of the remainder of this largely sun-exposed trail is expected to clear in the next week or so. In places, notably at Wellman’s Cienega, the trail can be very icy (due to water, not snow) in the morning.
The Peak Trail is now functionally clear of snow from Wellman Divide to 9900 ft. Icy snow cover in the trail is continuous in the sheltered section from 9900-10,100 ft. Snow cover is now only 20% from there to 10,400 ft (the Miller switchback), but then almost continuous from there to San Jacinto Peak. Many hikers will find spikes useful on this section for descending. At this time most hiker traffic has remained on the route of the upper trail (photo below). There are at least two relatively lightly traveled tracks on the East Ridge Trail route, through 90% snow cover, which rarely follow the actual trail, and for which spikes are very useful (for descending at least). Immediately around San Jacinto Peak (>10,500 ft) snow is very icy due following dozens of freeze/thaw cycles, and spikes are invaluable.
Marion Mountain Trail is now clear of snow. The Trail Report has already cleared the four new treefall hazards downed on this trail so far this winter.
Deer Springs Trail is functionally clear of snow to 9000 ft, just above the Fuller Ridge Trail junction. There are a few lengthy icy snow patches from there to 9700 ft (the lower end of Little Round Valley). From Little Round Valley to near San Jacinto Peak snow cover averages 60%, but in most places on the trail it is more ice than snow. Hikers will find spikes useful on the upper trail, especially for descending from the Peak down to Little Round Valley.
Seven Pines Trail [surveyed 30th January] is clear of snow. The trail is in generally excellent condition (for this true wilderness trail) with most cones and branches now removed. One of two new blowdowns from this winter has been removed, bringing to 101 the number of trees dealt with by the Trail Report here in the past decade. An easy work-around has been put in past the huge uprooted tree high up on the trail. Note that Dark Canyon Road, the access to the Seven Pines trailhead, remains open.
Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5) [surveyed 26th January] is functionally clear of snow, with tiny patches of thin icy snow persisting in the most sheltered areas, notably around Mile 186 and 186.5-187.
Black Mountain Trail [surveyed 21st January] is clear of snow. The Trail Report has cleared the trail of the two most obstructive blowdowns roughly 1.6 miles up from the highway. Another one in that area, plus one just below Boulder Basin, are both easily hiked over.
Twelve blowdowns were removed from Spitler Peak Trail on 28th January, bringing to 174 the total number of trees the Trail Report has removed from this route in the past seven years. The trail is clear other than one very large burned cedar across the trail immediately after the first creek crossing 3.2 miles up from the trailhead.
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% according to Riverside County, saving the county tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars. While all time is volunteered, the Report uses small 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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