To date this has been the second poorest winter on record for snow in the high country (following the desperately dry 2024/25). Snow persisting from storms in November has largely gone from the high country, although what little remains (generally >10,000 ft) is now icy and treacherous in places following months of freeze/thaw cycles. It was unprecedented that the Pacific Crest Trail was clear of snow throughout the San Jacinto mountains at the end of January. The lightest dusting of snow on 5th February – just 0.25 inch above 9900 ft – made conditions even more treacherous at highest elevations, albeit only for a day.
The encouraging news is that high pressure moves away from Southern California this week, and a sequence of storm systems is forecast to impact the San Jacinto mountains. The storms are forecast to be colder than those earlier this winter, with significant snow forecast down to mid elevations, freeze levels at times as low as 5000 ft (meaning snow could dust as low as 4000 ft), and substantial snowfalls possible in the high country.
Snow estimates on 15th-18th February for 5000-6000 ft (e.g., Idyllwild-Pine Cove) range from 2-15 inches, potentially admixed with 1-2 inches of rain, somewhat depending on the freeze level elevation, with high country forecasts ranging widely between 20-50 inches of snow >10,000 ft, with the lower end of that range currently thought to be most likely.
An initial, minor, warmer system on Wednesday 11th is tentatively forecast to produce 0.2 inch of rain at mid elevations with 1-2 inches of snow possible around the highest peaks, and a high freeze level around 8000 ft.
Hikers must be prepared for temperatures below freezing at higher elevations starting Tuesday 10th February, and far below freezing when considering wind chill effects. High country temperatures from 16th-20th February are forecast to be among the coldest of the season so far, with blizzard conditions likely at times and potential for dangerous windchills. See the Weather section below for my recent meteorological observations from San Jacinto Peak.
Obviously, trail conditions are expected to change dramatically over the course of the next week. At this time, spikes are valuable, but not critical, in icy snow areas (generally >9800 ft). From Monday 16th onwards, some combination of snowshoes and crampons/ice axe may well be recommended as low as 8000 ft (potentially much lower), with spikes useful as low as 5000 ft. These recommendations will of course be updated constantly over the next few days and weeks.
Black Mountain Road (4S01) is 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 remains far rougher than in June 2020, the last time Black Mountain Road was thoroughly graded. South Ridge Road (5S11) reopened to vehicles on 26th January.
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
High pressure returned to the region in late January, with temperatures again rising to well above seasonal. Unsurprisingly, melting of what little snow remained, largely from November, has been steady.
A rare cloudy day, with moisture emanating from the south, produced the lightest dusting of snow on 5th February, just 0.25 inch of snow above 9900 ft, but no measurable rainfall at mid elevations (see photos above and below).
The “blocking” high pressure ridge is forecast to give way to a track of low pressure storm systems in mid month. The first of these is tentatively forecast for Wednesday 11th February, and will be relatively mild, with limited precipitation, perhaps just a fraction of one inch of rain at mid elevations and only 1-2 inches of snow higher.
A major storm system 15th-18th February may well be the coldest of the season to date. Although details remain unclear still one week in advance, a freeze level as low as 4800 ft is tentatively forecast to produce significant snowfall at the mid-elevations (e.g., Idyllwild-Pine Cove and perhaps even lower). About one foot of snow is possible in Idyllwild. Snow estimates for the highest elevations have been diverse, but largely fall in the range of 2-4 feet, with the lower end of that range currently forecast as most probable.
At San Jacinto Peak (10,811ft/3295m) on Monday 9th February 2026 at 0910 the air temperature was 50.7°F (10°C), with a windchill temperature of 39.9°F (5°C), 28% relative humidity, and an intermittent NW breeze sustained at 0 mph gusting to 4.5 mph. This air temperature observation shattered the previous record high for the Peak in the month of February (by an almost incomprehensible 9.9°F), the prior record unsurprisingly set just last year.
At the Peak on Friday 6th February 2026 at 0900 the air temperature was 33.4°F (1°C), with a windchill temperature of 19.6°F (-7°C), 63% relative humidity, and a light SE wind sustained at 6 mph gusting to 11.7 mph, with 0.25 inch of fresh snow since the previous day.
At the Peak 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 sparse snowflakes in the air.
TRAIL CONDITIONS
All major trails are clear of snow or, at uppermost elevations, have reliable tracks to follow through the very limited remaining icy snow. Most trails currently resemble the spring melt season of April-May, rather than late January/early February. As discussed above, conditions are expected to change dramatically starting 15th February.
Snow cover averages 30% 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 remain 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.
The PCT north from Saddle Junction and from Annie’s Junction onward to Strawberry Junction (Miles 179-183) is functionally clear of snow. Spikes 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.
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.
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 10% from there to 10,400 ft (the Miller switchback), but then averages 90% 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 three 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 cover remains 80% and is very icy due following dozens of freeze/thaw cycles; spikes are recommended.
Marion Mountain Trail is now clear of snow. The Trail Report had already cleared the four new treefall hazards downed on this trail so far this winter. A new huge rotten stump came down on the upper trail in the first week of February, but I have cleared an easy work-around for hikers.
Deer Springs Trail is functionally clear of snow to 9000 ft, just above the Fuller Ridge Trail junction. There are a few significant 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 40%, 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 some or all of the route 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 on this route 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 (but is likely to close next week after significant snowfall).
Fuller Ridge Trail (PCT Miles 185.5-190.5) [surveyed 26th January] is functionally clear of snow.
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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