Editorial note: this is just a brief summary of conditions following two days of very minor, but widespread, snowfall on 12th-13th April. With many PCT hikers in or approaching the San Jacinto mountains, my focus has been on publishing basic trail information as quickly as possible, but with somewhat less detail than usual. This update will be expanded with additional daily surveying during the remainder of this week.
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 at 8500-9500 ft, but only 2.5 inches above 10,000 ft. I recorded a 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, with melting already well underway even under partly cloudy skies.
There are now well-defined fresh tracks throughout the PCT in the San Jacinto mountains, including Fuller Ridge (Miles 185.5-190.5).
Snow depths are sufficiently shallow, and tracks so well defined, throughout the PCT that spikes are not generally required. In addition, melting will be steady everywhere as temperatures rise over the next few days, and especially rapid on sun-exposed slopes. For reference, of the 12 PCT hikers that I encountered on my high country loop hike on 14th, none were using spikes. Of course, hikers should make their own decision regarding traction devices, based on their own experience in such conditions, and their comfort level hiking in thin and variable snow.
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 snow will be firm and icy in the mornings (at least).
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 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 0.46 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 seasonally warm days on 18th-19th, temperatures remain generally slightly below seasonal at mid elevations for the next ten days. Temperatures in the high country will be about seasonal, i.e., near freezing, during the same period. There is currently no significant precipitation in the forecasts, although there are several cloudy days forecast, and the possibility of somewhat unsettled weather on 20th-23rd.
At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) 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
All trails above 6000 ft were under light snow cover as of the morning of 14th April, although nowhere was the average depth greater than three inches, and in most areas depths were no more than 2-2.5 inches. By the afternoon of 14th, melting had been rapid everywhere below 7000 ft, and as high as the uppermost peaks in the most sun-exposed areas.
The Pacific Crest Trail currently has a light covering of snow throughout Miles 168-192 in the San Jacinto mountains. However melting will be rapid in the most sun-exposed areas, excellent tracks are already in place throughout, and with snow cover so thin, conditions are not hazardous anywhere. Miles 168-174 will clear especially rapidly due to very thin snow and their exposure.
The often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak is currently under a continuous cover of 2-3 inches of light powder (heavily drifted in places). Nevertheless, due to the snow structure, most hikers will find that spikes are not required.
The Wellman and Peak trails [surveyed 14th April] are under a consistent cover of 2-3 inches of snow (photo below). The East Ridge Trail route has no track to follow as of 14th April.
Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 14th April] is already largely clear of snow to the Suicide Rock Trail junction (photo below). From there to Strawberry Junction, the snow is thinning steadily but is very slushy in the trail. Snow cover averages only 1-2 inches from Strawberry Junction (photo below) to about 8500 ft, at which point snow depth averages 2-2.5 inches all the way to San Jacinto Peak, with the exception of Little Round Valley where snow depth was generally three inches (photo below).
Marion Mountain and Seven Pines trails did not have any fresh tracks through shallow (1-2 inch) snow as of late morning on 14th April.
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%, likely 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 for your support.
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