I started today hiking from San Jacinto Peak to the PCT via Little Round Valley, then surveyed almost all the PCT above 8000′ (Fuller Ridge southbound to Saddle Junction), and finished with Devils Slide Trail. At San Jacinto Peak it started snowing at 0630, and continued lightly until 0930.

Overview Last night most trails and many exposed aspects were snow-free. However, the entire mountain above about 5500′ received a light dusting of snow today. It is fair to assume that almost all major trails on the mountain currently have a light covering of snow. I measured about 1.0″ (2.5cm) at San Jacinto Peak and Annie’s Junction, 0.75″ in Little Round Valley, and 0.5″ at Strawberry Junction and Saddle Junction. The snowfall was largely graupel, a powdery hail-like snow that actually makes traction very easy on trails when it is fresh. Although traction aids (e.g., microspikes) are not currently essential, this may change as the current snow goes through freeze-thaw cycles and starts to become icy, especially where it is compacted by hiker traffic. Conditions may also change further as it is snowing again lightly this evening (at least in Idyllwild at 5550′), and further snow is forecast for the whole mountain later this week.

Severe cold This is the biggest hazard at present. Early this morning at San Jacinto Peak I recorded a temperature (including windchill effect) of -24.7° F (-31.5° C)! (See video below.) While this is extreme, temperatures are forecast to remain well below freezing at night above 6000′ (1800m), and at higher elevations below freezing all day, for at least the next 10 days. These forecast temperatures do not include additional dangerous windchill effects. Unless you are certain that you have the very best equipment suitable for such conditions, camping above 8000′ (2400m) for at least the next 10 days could be life-threatening.

Water The only concern with water right now is that most sources above 8500′ are frozen solid. This will remain a problem, especially in the mornings, for at least the next several days. For example at the crossing of the North Fork of the San Jacinto River on Fuller Ridge today at noon, I was unable to kick through several inches of solid ice with a hiking boot heel to reach the flowing trickle underneath (see photo below).

Pacific Crest Trail While much of the PCT through the San Jacinto Mountains is currently covered with a little snow (<1″), the route is relatively easy to follow. By this afternoon, the snow from the morning was already starting to melt on some sections on exposed southerly aspects (e.g., near Strawberry Cienega). Hikers very unfamiliar with snow/ice travel will find microspikes useful in some areas. Please also see comments above regarding severe cold, water problems, and additional forecast snow.

Upper Deer Springs Trail (from Fuller Ridge Junction to San Jacinto Peak) Lightly snow-covered (generally <1″ but 2-3″ in areas of drifting). In Little Round Valley about 90% snow cover of a few inches from January storms persists (under the fresh snowfall), but the trail is still fairly clear.

Devils Slide Trail Largely clear below 7000′, a very light covering of snow above 7000′.

Anabel and I ran from home via the South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak this morning, returning via Chinquapin Flat, the PCT to Saddle Junction, Devils Slide Trail, and the Ernie Maxwell Trail. The north side of Tahquitz Peak, from the Peak to the PCT, is always one of the most treacherous trail sections in the San Jacinto Mountains, and one of the very last to melt in spring. For PCT hikers the South Ridge Trail through to Saddle Junction is an important alternate for those skipping Idyllwild, and for those doing continuous steps from the PCT Alternate at May Valley Road.

Unusually for this time of year, the trails both north and south of Tahquitz Peak do not require microspikes. South Ridge Trail has only a few tiny ice patches. Although the trail between the Peak and the PCT is completely snow-covered, the light dusting of about 1″ of snow it received earlier this week actually improved traction significantly. I was able to run through this section comfortably in road running shoes with no spikes. However, hikers uncomfortable on snow/ice may prefer to use spikes for this section.

The PCT from Chinquapin Flat to Saddle Junction has some lengthy sections with snow cover (<2″ deep), but again this is actually much better for traction than ice. Devils Slide Trail is completely clear below about 7800′ (and no spikes are required higher up).

We have had three minor snow storms in the past three days. However they have produced so little snow that there is currently no change to the trail conditions from the 9 Feb update. In fact the highest elevations have been largely above the cloud, so there has been more melting than accumulation. For example today I was easily able to ascend and descend San Jacinto Peak without using microspikes. Nevertheless, those unfamiliar with snow/ice travel may continue to find spikes useful in places (as discussed in the 9 Feb update). Further precipitation is forecast for 18-19 Feb, and overnight temperatures are forecast to be well below freezing at higher elevations in the mountains for at least the next 10 days.

In the early hours of Monday 12 Feb there was light snow at higher elevations with the snowline at 6400′. That morning I visited Tahquitz Peak (8836′, 2700m) where there was only about 0.5″ (1.2cm) of fresh snow. By the time I was descending in mid-morning, most was already melting below 7700′.

Overnight on 12/13 February, there was much more widespread snow, with a dusting down as low as Garner Valley (4100′, 1250m). However, snow volume was very light and uniform, with only 0.6″ in Idyllwild (5550′, 1700m), and about the same at higher elevations.

Finally, most of today, Wednesday 14 Feb, was cloudy. I hiked to San Jacinto Peak from Humber Park in the early morning, and passed through extremely light snowfall both on the ascent and descent. The snowfall only settled to less than 0.5″ between about 7800′-9300′ elevation (2400-2800m). The top of the cloud was at about 10,200′, and the Peak was clear. The air temperature at the Peak was 22° F (-6° C), but with a steady wind the windchill temperature was 6° F (-14° C).

In anticipation of the first wave of February northbound (nobo) PCT hikers, I surveyed the PCT from near Tahquitz Peak north through Fuller Ridge, plus all the main access trails to the high country, and San Jacinto Peak daily from 5-9 Feb.

Overview With near-record-low snowfall so far this winter, many trails are largely clear of snow (in stark contrast to this time in 2017). Nevertheless, in some places hikers may find microspikes useful for traversing areas of compacted snow. This is especially true when descending slopes. The main problem this season may prove to be water. Although currently not a problem, some springs are already drying up, and even with precipitation forecast next week, other springs will dry during the course of the nobo PCT season

Pacific Crest Trail The PCT is largely clear of snow throughout the San Jacinto Mountains. There are some easily traversed extended areas of compacted snow and ice either side of Annie’s Junction (the State Park boundary north of Saddle Junction, where the PCT turns sharply west to Strawberry Cienega), and then again along the 0.5 mile section just south of the Fuller Ridge Trail junction. Fuller Ridge Trail is largely clear. Where there are occasional small remnants of snow there are obvious tracks to follow with well-dug steps. Small snow patches are most extensive between 3.1-4.7 miles along Fuller Ridge (measured from the south end of the trail), but the trail is easy to follow and the snow is melting quickly. Note that there is excellent flowing water (under the ice) at the North Fork of the San Jacinto River (0.48 miles north from the S end of Fuller Ridge Trail)

San Jacinto Peak trails The trail north from Saddle Junction to San Jacinto Peak is mostly clear of snow. The only extended area of snow patches is north of Wellman’s Divide, between 9900’-10100’, but the trail is obvious. The Deer Springs Trail above the Fuller Ridge Trail has large ice/compacted snow patches, especially >9300′. Spikes are not required for ascending, but can be useful for descending for those unfamiliar with snow/ice travel. In Little Round Valley there continues to be about 90% snow cover under the trees, but the trail is obvious.

At San Jacinto Peak itself, there remains only 60% snow cover above 10,500’. The East Ridge (Ranger) Trail remains fully snow covered, with some drifts 6-10″ deep, but the trail is obvious (microspikes recommended for descending at least).

Deer Springs Trail Clear to Strawberry Junction (see above for details beyond Fuller Ridge).

PCT south from Saddle Junction to Mountain Fire closure Largely clear, small snow patches near Chinquapin Flat.

South Ridge Trail Clear from South Ridge Road trailhead to Tahquitz Peak, then passable with care to PCT (Chinquapin Flat). Between Tahquitz Peak and Chinquapin Flat there is continuous coverage of compacted snow that requires some care to traverse (microspikes are useful but not essential when heading north from Tahquitz Peak).

Devils Slide Trail Clear, a few tiny ice patches near Saddle Junction

Marion Mountain Trail  Clear to State Park boundary. Some small ice patches in State Park section to Deer Springs Trail/PCT, but spikes not required.