The PCT and all major high country trails were clear of snow by 30th April. No traction devices are required anywhere on the trail system in the San Jacinto mountains.
Very light precipitation on the morning of 5th May included 0.22 inch of rain in Idyllwild (at 5550 ft), but nothing more than a hint of a dusting of snow everywhere above about 7500 ft (example photo below). By mid morning, elevations above 9100 ft were above the cloud, with the emerging sunshine immediately melting any localized dustings of snow. High pressure returns to the region starting 7th May, with very warm and dry summer-like weather consequently forecast at least until 13th May.
At this time all of the main springs and creeks are flowing and water availability is not an issue for campers or long distance hikers. It was disconcerting as early as late March to see many ephemeral and some “perennial” water sources were already at low flow rates, and the four (very) minor precipitation events since the start of April have not significantly improved medium- and long-term water conditions.
Fire lookouts at Tahquitz Peak and Black Mountain reopen for the season on Sunday 17th May and Saturday 23rd May, respectively, having been closed in 2025 for maintenance reasons. Note that the steps and railings at Tahquitz Peak lookout are in urgent need of major repair, and should not be considered safe at this time.
The gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243 on Black Mountain Road (4S01) remains closed, but will reopen mid month. 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 comprehensively graded. Picnic benches at many of the yellow post sites were replaced with new, immovable models in March.
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.
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
High pressure returns to the region this week, with temperatures consequently rising rapidly to above seasonal, and will be far above seasonal for May on 10th-12th, before dropping somewhat late next week (but remaining above seasonal). There is, predictably, no significant precipitation in the forecasts.
The last notable low pressure system impacted the region starting 25th April. Light precipitation fell primarily on the evening of 25th continuing into the early morning of 26th. A consistent accumulation of one inch of snow fell everywhere above 8000 ft elevation, with a dusting as low as 6400 ft. Rainfall in Idyllwild was an impressive 0.83 inch. Despite only modest warming, all snow from that storm had melted within a few days.
At San Jacinto Peak (10,810 ft/3295 m) on Tuesday 5th May 2026 at 0820 the air temperature was 21.8°F (-6°C), with a windchill temperature of 4.3°F (-16°C), 92% relative humidity, and a frigid due West wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 16.0 mph.
At the Peak on Friday 1st May 2026 at 0815 the air temperature was 38.1°F (3°C), with a windchill temperature of 28.6°F (-2°C), 52% relative humidity, and a gentle NNE wind sustained at 4 mph gusting to 8.4 mph.
TRAIL CONDITIONS
The Pacific Crest Trail and all major high country trails are now clear of snow. This includes the often-treacherous 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail from Chinquapin Flat to Tahquitz Peak [surveyed 2nd May] which is functionally clear of snow and ice.
Hikers heading off trail to 10,000+ ft peaks other than San Jacinto Peak may find that spikes are useful in places as significant drifts persist on the north slopes of Jean and Shirley peaks, and Marion Mountain.
The East Ridge Trail [surveyed 5th May] route from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak has only 30% cover of drifted snow persisting from much earlier in the season. Nevertheless in places the old trail is obscured by snow drifts, and cautious navigation is recommended.
Deer Springs Trail [surveyed 1st May] is clear of snow to San Jacinto Peak. Even in Little Round Valley, remarkably little snow remains (photo below).
Spitler Peak Trail is clear of treefall hazards, despite having been decimated by about 65 new blowdowns in strong winds that accompanied mid February storms. In February-March the Trail Report cut almost all of these, bringing to 235 the number of trees we have removed from this trail in the past seven years. The remaining four large cedars were removed by Forest Service at the end of March.
The Caramba Trail from near Reeds Meadow through Laws Camp and on to Caramba, and the Cedar Trail from Willow Creek Trail to Laws, are euphemistically (and arguably dangerously) described by the Forest Service as “not maintained”. In reality both trails have been abandoned for more than a decade and no longer exist. They are so heavily overgrown, largely with dense whitethorn which obscures dozens of downed trees, that hikers should not attempt to follow them (regardless of how much you may trust any particular app).
An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct, generally well maintained, and avoids the bushwhacking of the abandoned trails (some local Idyllwild hikers dubbed it the “King Trail” when I established the route in 2019). It leaves Willow Creek Trail exactly 1.0 mile from Saddle Junction, 0.46 mile from the Skunk Cabbage turning (trailhead at N 33.7796, W 116.6590). The route descends following former deer trails for 1.2 miles, meeting Willow Creek about 0.15 mile upstream from the site of the historic Laws Camp (the remains of which were destroyed by the 2013 Mountain Fire and subsequent flood and treefall damage). One huge pine tree fell in late 2024 across the King Trail about midway down that requires a minor scramble underneath, but most additional blowdowns from this winter have already been removed. There is some optimism that work to rehabilitate the Caramba Trail may start in 2026, so if you see any flagging in this area please leave it in place.
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.
San Jacinto Trail Report 