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 year’s astounding 3.6 inches 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) will be the lowest on record by the end of January (as a minor snow storm in late January last year surpassed that depth).
The dusting of snow on Friday 23rd (described below in Weather) melted within days despite frigid temperatures in the high country. Temperatures climbed again to well above seasonal starting Wednesday 28th January, with melting expected to remove most of what pitifully little snow remains (almost entirely from late November storms).
It is almost certainly unprecedented that the Pacific Crest Trail is functionally clear of snow throughout the San Jacinto mountains in late 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 the next week or two, as described under Trail Conditions).
South Ridge Road (5S11) reopened to vehicles on 27th 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 January (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, but following grading is in its best condition since 2020.
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 rise 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. Cooler (actually seasonal) temperatures, accompanied by stronger winds, return briefly for 5th-11th February, at least in the high country. Predictably, there is no significant precipitation in the forecasts into mid February (at least).
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 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.
At the Peak on Friday 23rd January 2026 at 0855 the air temperature was 36.7°F (3°C), with a windchill temperature of 28.4°F (-2°C), 87% relative humidity, and a near-calm SSE wind sustained at 0 mph gusting to 4.3 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.
Snow cover remains >80% in trails above about 9400 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 will accelerate dramatically as temperatures rise to well above seasonal over the next week.
Spikes are increasingly useful for the next 7-10 days due to extensive icing above about 9800 ft. Hikers very comfortable on icy snow may find they are 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 [surveyed 29th January] is clear of snow.
The PCT north from Saddle Junction [surveyed 25th January] 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 [surveyed 29th January] 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 [surveyed twice per week this month, most recently on 29th January] is functionally snow-free, which is unprecedented for the end of January (photo below).
South Ridge Trail [surveyed 29th January] south of Tahquitz Peak is clear of snow.
Snow cover on the Wellman Trail [surveyed 25th January] averages only 15% 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 and for 0.1 mile immediately north, the trail can be very icy (due to water, not snow) in the morning.
The Peak Trail [surveyed 25th January] has thin, discontinuous, icy snow cover of about 60% from Wellman Divide to 9900 ft. Some hikers will find that spikes can be useful on this section, mainly for descending, but they are not required. Snow cover in the trail is functionally continuous from 9900 ft to San Jacinto Peak, and snow is very firm with a well-defined track to follow. Many hikers will find spikes useful on this section for descending. At this time almost all hiker traffic has remained on the route of the upper trail (which currently resembles the “monorail” snow tracks of New England, photo below). There is only a relatively lightly traveled snow track on the East Ridge Trail route, which rarely follows the actual trail, and for which spikes are certainly useful for descending at least. Immediately around San Jacinto Peak snow is very icy due to sun exposure and freeze/thaw cycles, and spikes are recommended.
Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 26th January] 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 [surveyed 26th January] 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 9400 ft (about 0.8 mile below Little Round Valley). From 9400 ft through Little Round Valley to San Jacinto Peak, snow cover averages 80%, 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 around 9400 ft (the crossing of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River).
Seven Pines Trail [surveyed 26th January] is functionally clear of snow. A few small thin snow patches remain above 8400 ft. 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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