Editorial note: In keeping with the theme of this “winter”, melting of the minor but widespread snowfall from 12th-13th April has been exceptionally rapid. Trail conditions discussed in this Report have consequently been heavily revised following further surveys on 16th-19th.
Much of the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains, and the high country trails, were functionally clear of snow by the afternoon of 16th, with some extended snow patches remaining in limited areas between PCT Miles 175-190, as described in Trail Conditions below.
Snow depths are so shallow, and tracks so well defined where there is snow, that spikes are not generally required anywhere on the PCT (or indeed elsewhere on the high country trails). Melting will continue to be rapid everywhere as temperatures rise markedly on 18th-20th.
Two minor bands of storms, on the afternoon/evenings of Sunday 12th and Monday 13th, with the bulk of the precipitation on the 13th, combined to produce 2-3 inches of snow everywhere above 7500 ft. Snow and hail dusted down to 5000 ft on 13th, but was functionally melted below 6500 ft by the afternoon of 14th.
I broke trail on the morning of 14th from Devil’s Slide Trail to San Jacinto Peak, and measured 1.5 inches of snow at Humber Park (6500 ft), 2.5 inches at Saddle Junction (8100 ft), three inches throughout 8500-9500 ft, but only 2.5 inches above 10,000 ft. I recorded a short video report late morning on Tuesday 14th at San Jacinto Peak (linked here).
I then broke trail down upper Deer Springs Trail, finally connecting with PCT hiker tracks near the Fuller Ridge junction. This was the same route that we hiked on 13th. Snow depths on Deer Springs Trail were already shallower by late morning than on the ascent on the other side of the mountains, with melting already well underway even under partly cloudy skies.
Note that temperatures are tentatively forecast to fluctuate near freezing above 10,000 ft into late April. This will result in freeze/thaw cycles at upper elevations, and remnant snow may be firm and icy in the mornings (at least).
Be rattlesnake aware. This year rattlesnakes became active 1-2 months earlier than normal at both mid and upper elevations. Above about 5000 ft elevation, the venom of Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus helleri) in the San Jacinto mountains is predominantly neurotoxic, almost always fatal for dogs and sometimes for humans (see my long read article linked here for further information describing our dogs’ survival after a July 2020 neurotoxic bite). Devil’s Slide Trail, lower Deer Springs and lower Marion Mountain trails, Suicide Rock, near Strawberry Cienega, and trails around Tahquitz Peak are frequent higher elevation locations for sightings, but rattlesnakes have been recorded up to 9350 ft (the latter unlikely before midsummer).
The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed. 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 it was thoroughly graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, modern, immovable models in March.
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 (but almost daily during and following storm conditions), Tahquitz Peak and area at least once per week, plus a wide variety of other trails on intervening days.
WEATHER
A relatively weak low pressure system impacted the region starting 10th April. Light precipitation fell primarily on the evening of 12th and both afternoon and evening of 13th April. The former resulted in a very consistent accumulation of just 0.5 inch of snow everywhere above 9000 ft elevation, but a dusting as low as 6700 ft. The latter was heavier, with a lower freeze level to near 5000 ft, but snowfall was still limited to a maximum of three inches at 8500-9500 ft on the east slope, and 9600-9900 ft on the west slope. Snowfall was slightly lower at the highest elevations, as the peaks were above the cloud for large parts of the stormy weather, especially on 13th.
Rainfall in Idyllwild was an impressive 0.67 inch by 0700 on 13th, and another 0.53 inch by the same time on 14th. The mid elevations on the western slope received some intense hail storms on the evening of 13th, down to 5000 ft (locally lower in places).
Other than warmer days on 18th-19th, temperatures are forecast to be around seasonal at mid elevations for the remainder of April. Temperatures in the high country will also be roughly seasonal, i.e., near freezing, during the same period. There is currently no significant precipitation in the forecasts, although there is an increasing possibility of unsettled weather on 21st-22nd April. High pressure is forecast to return by the end of April, with temperatures rising to above seasonal at the end of the month and into early May.
At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Friday 17th April 2026 at 0840 the air temperature was 38.6°F (4°C), with a windchill temperature of 28.2°F (-2°C), 12% relative humidity, and a steady NW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 14.5 mph.
At the Peak on Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 0955 the air temperature was 26.3°F (-3°C), with a windchill temperature of 17.8°F (-8°C), 65% relative humidity, and a gentle NNE wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 6.0 mph.
At the Peak on Monday 13th April 2026 at 0930 the air temperature was 18.1°F (-8°C), with a windchill temperature of -0.4°F (-18°C), 63% relative humidity, and a frigid SW wind sustained at 10 mph gusting to 16.8 mph.
TRAIL CONDITIONS
Trails below 8000 ft elevation are now completely clear of snow, with all remaining high country trails now functionally clear of snow, with no more than a handful of minor persistent patches as described below (trails above 6000 ft were entirely under light snow cover as of the morning of 14th April, although nowhere was the average depth greater than three inches).
Spikes are not generally required anywhere on the PCT or high country trail system at this time. In my interactions with more than 60 PCT and day hikers during lengthy high country survey hikes on 13th, 14th, 16th, and 17th April, not a single hiker was using any traction device. Of course hikers must make their own decisions regarding the need for spikes, based on knowledge of their own expertise, and their comfort level hiking on patchy, thin, icy snow.
The Pacific Crest Trail [surveyed 16th and 17th April] currently has very patchy, thin snow throughout Miles 175-190 in the San Jacinto mountains. However melting will continue to be rapid, and excellent tracks are already in place throughout remnant snow patches, so conditions are not notably hazardous anywhere, and few if any hikers are using spikes. Snow cover is 60% between Miles 175-178 but with a well-defined track. Snow cover is then only 10% to Mile 180.5, but 80% just south of Annie’s Junction at about Mile 180.8. Miles 181-185 are now functionally clear of snow. Snow cover increases around Mile 185, although spikes are not generally required. The Fuller Ridge Trail section (Miles 185.5 to 191.5) is now largely clear of snow. Short, patchy, stubborn sections of snow remain around the crossing of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River (Mile 186), and on the northerly slopes (approx. Miles 187.3-187.8 and 188.6-190), but nowhere are spikes required. North of Mile 190, the trail is functionally clear of snow.
The often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 19th April] is now functionally clear of snow and it is easy to pass by the remnant patches (photo above). Spikes are not required.
South Ridge Trail [surveyed 19th April] south from Tahquitz Peak is clear of snow.
Devil’s Slide Trail [surveyed 16th and 17th April] is clear of snow.
The Wellman and Peak trails [surveyed 17th April] are functionally clear of snow, with minor patches persisting in the most forested areas, but none posing any significant hazard and none requiring spikes. The East Ridge Trail [surveyed 17th April] route above Miller Peak is already 50% clear of snow, and a couple of single sets of tracks can be followed through the snow drifts on the upper route.
Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 16th and 17th April] is functionally clear of snow to Little Round Valley. A few patches persist lower down, most notably near the Deer Springs crossing. Snow cover is very thin and increasingly patchy at about 30% in Little Round Valley (photo below), but then even less from there to San Jacinto Peak.
Marion Mountain Trail [surveyed 17th April] is functionally clear of snow to the PCT/Deer Springs Trail, with just a handful of tiny snow patches remaining, mainly just below the PCT.
Seven Pines Trail [surveyed 17th April] is functionally clear of snow, although there are no fresh tracks to follow through the small snow patches persisting near the top of the trail.
The San Jacinto Trail Report celebrates ten years of operation in 2026. The Report has helped tens of 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 dropped 82%, with an additional benefit of saving Riverside County hundreds of thousands of dollars. While all time is volunteered, the Report uses small private donations to help cover operating costs. Donations keep the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Thank you very much for your support.
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