There had been an additional six inches of snow (plus an unknown amount of rain) since my measurement two days earlier, for a current total snow depth of about 21 inches at Saddle Junction. This may change after the weekend. There is a well-traveled track on the lowest section of Deer Springs Trail continuing out to Suicide Rock. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses by the approximate depth of fresh snow added by the latest storm sequence on 14th-17th January. Strap on your snowshoes and head into the stillness of the winter forest at the top of the Tram. Holden said he could not recall the last time there had been an avalanche on Mount San Jacinto. There is already a moderately traveled posthole track on Devils Slide Trail, and I was surprised to find that below 7000 ft some of the trail was already slushy simply due to relatively warm air temperatures as there was no direct sun. On Monday 13th I also postholed the entire hike, as I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. Rapid melting of snow on sun-exposed slopes and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. Fresh snowfall, melting, and freeze/thaw cycles will all combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain over the next week or two. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. Cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. Seven Pines Trail has not been traveled since last weeks storm, at least not in its uppermost section, and there is no track to follow through the snow. no traction device) to the Peak on a generally well-traveled and compacted track through light icy snow. A light snowfall on the evening of Tuesday 21st will be accompanied by very strong winds, and is expected to largely or completely eliminate all tracks above about 7000 ft. South Ridge Trail (surveyed 19th November) is largely clear of snow from the top of South Ridge Road to Old Lookout Flat at about 7600 ft, with just 5% cover of icy snow. Spikes are currently usefulthroughout the trail system above about 7000 ft, possibly lower in places on cold (icy) mornings. However, snowshoes will become increasingly useful as conditions warm sufficiently for snow to become soft above about 8000 ft, especially on sunny slopes and afternoons. Snowshoes can be rented at our Adventure Center. A significant triple storm system had a major impact on 21st-26th February, and those updates are posted below also. Conversely on the afternoon of Tuesday 6th the ice was distinctly more watery, and I wore spikes from San Jacinto Peak down to Wellman Divide (9700 ft). Sadly this phenomenon has become much more of a factor in recent years with freezing rainfall (rather than snow) occurring at higher elevations at higher frequency with much warmer weather systems. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. My blogging throughout the storms gave more day-to-day detail and is available here. For locations measured on 23rd January, these measurements are still useful, as the new recent snow depth is roughly offset by melting over the past week. If there are Road Closed signs further down at the junction with Forest Drive as is often the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) also closed to vehicle traffic for the winter on 7th November 2022. However they will remain very valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places) for the next week or two at least. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 2 inches (was 3 inches on 9th), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): patchy 0.5-1.0 inch (was 2.5 inches on 9th). I measured 1.5 inches of fresh snow at Saddle Junction early this morning, with about one inch at Humber Park, and 0.8 inch of snow (following 0.7 inch of rain) at 5550 ft in Idyllwild. PCTA is aware of the situation, and is hoping to start addressing it soon (weather permitting). Thereafter a cooling trend will take temperatures well below seasonal again including the possibility of minor precipitation on 11th-15th February. Some 37 trees are down on the Forest Service section of this trail between Skunk Cabbage Junction and the State Park boundary (23rd September 2022 survey). UPDATE Thursday 5th January 2023: We are just catching the southern edge of the highly-publicized storm currently passing through central California. I switched to crampons and then finished breaking the Peak Trail through to near Miller Peak (photo below). The Peak Trail track is also partially disappearing under fresh spindrift (photos below). Snowshoes are not advisable due to the angle of the icy snow. Although good tracks are now in place for most major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. 2nd-3rd December). This morning I broke South Ridge Trail to Tahquitz Peak. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are all options. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 42 inches (45-48 inches), drifted to 60 inches in places, especially on East Ridge. However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). Hikers should expect to encounter new treefall hazards due to the enormous weight of ice from freezing rain currently in the trees and the high winds associated with the storm. Most of the PCT through the San Jacinto mountains has little more than 1-4 inches of snow to deal with. The week from 21st-26th December may be among the warmest on record for the year-end holiday period. I barebooted to Saddle, and then snowshoed back down to help consolidate the track. With such dramatic rainfall throughout the mountain range last week, and with snow now available for melting in the high country, I do not expect to be reporting on water conditions until next year. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for mid to upper elevations (at least >6000 ft) for the foreseeable future. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 23rd January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows. Average snow depth around the peak was 24-25 inches, but heavily drifted. Currently the snow is relatively powdery and benign; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. The rainfall totals at mid elevations were unremarkable, especially compared to those of the storm in early November (discussed here). The northerly wind was bitter at the Peak and got stronger throughout the morning as we descended. High near 21. Final precipitation numbers for Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft elevation) across the three days were 5.06 inches of rain and 6.5 inches of snow, although only about half of the latter remained on the ground as a few inches were removed by (relatively) warm rain between snow storms. There is currently no further precipitation in the forecasts. From the top of Marion Mountain Trail icy snow cover is about 90% to Little Round Valley, although there are a few lengthy clear areas on sun-exposed sections. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces below the locked gate (which still require an Adventure Pass or equivalent to be displayed). On 2nd, 5th, and 6th we barebooted to San Jacinto Peak on well-traveled and compacted tracks through increasingly patchy light icy snow. Secondly, because there is really very little snow on the PCT. Although I carried snowshoes it would have been risky to try to use them on the icy traverses. Currently trails above about 7500 ft (lower in places) are largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. Snow depths are expected to change multiple times over the next ten days due to mixed precipitation, including even possibly loss of snow at mid elevations due to rainfall. Stone Creek campground had also closed, then reopened for Thanksgiving weekend. Given cold temperatures for the foreseeable future, melting is expected to slow (or largely stop in the high country). This is followed by steady moderate to heavy snowfall starting in the afternoon of Wednesday 22nd and continuing into the early hours of Sunday 26th February. However subsequent light snow on Sunday 1st improved the depths by another couple of inches. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through increasingly patchy, very thin, icy snow above about 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). On Monday 14th we ascended San Jacinto Peak via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails) and descended the west side via Deer Springs Trail. In the days since the storm, we have also surveyed trails around Tahquitz Peak, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Deer Springs, among others. On South Ridge Trail spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks. With two further minor snowfalls possible in January, and strong winds in the high country expected on some days causing substantial spindrift, tracks broken through the snow may not last long. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has no steps to follow through the steeply angled icy snow. From the top of Marion, the route is well-traveled but pretty uneven, up into Little Round Valley. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. Check out the Mount San Jacinto State Park, CA WinterCast. Three significant trees are now down across the trail, including two major hazards that are not easy to hike around both roughly halfway along the trail. Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 4 inches snow with 1-2 inches of ice underneath, Round Valley (9100 ft): 4 inches [special thanks to Kyle Eubanks for this measurement], Annies Junction/approx. Combined with a weak sun at this time of year, snow melt will generally be very slow at upper elevations, and conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails. They are not currently recommended for moderate angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying shallow powder. An additional 5.5 inches of snow fell in Idyllwild overnight, rather more than forecast, meaning we had to dig out yet again this morning. Hikers should expect to encounter new treefall hazards due to the enormous weight of ice from freezing rain associated with the early November storm, followed by recent Santa Ana winds, and after the passage of Tropical Storm Kay in September. Spitler Peak Trail (last surveyed 18th November) is clear of snow. Above Little Round Valley there are at least half-a-dozen tracks ascending toward San Jacinto Peak, none of which entirely accurately follow the established trail route. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Two moderate snow storms in the next ten days or so are expected to have a major combined impact on the San Jacinto mountains. Forecasts suggest a further 2-3 inches are possible tonight. Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track to follow. Such warm conditions will soon be a distant memory. This latest storm was again very mild, as expected from an atmospheric river system pulling moisture in from warmer latitudes. There is a well-traveled track on continuous light icy snow from Long Valley/Tram to Wellman Divide. Thank you so much for your support. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail) and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations. It continued to rain heavily overnight at mid elevations everywhere below about 7000 ft. Idyllwild at 5550 ft elevation recorded an impressive 4.01 inches of rain in the 24 hour period up to 0700 this morning. Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid federal pressure to lower costs of life-saving medication, 60 million under winter weather alerts as massive storms roll across US; New York finally gets snow: Live updates, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Even Devils Slide Trail was largely obscured in deep drifted powder (photo below). Recent hikes have included the high peaks (>10,000 ft) 2-4 times per week by various routes, Tahquitz Peak and area 1-2 times per week, South Ridge, Spitler Peak, and Marion Mountain trails, and May Valley Road and Indian Mountain Truck Trail. All trails above about 6500 ft are currently snow-covered, and partially snow-covered above 5500 ft. It made for one of the easiest trips to . Devils Slide Trail has a well traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. I recorded a short video at San Jacinto Peak early on the morning of Wednesday 9th November (available here) which gives a feel for conditions as the storm finally cleared. Currently only one major trail route has been traveled and even that is partially obscured by icefall, melting and drifted snow. Underlying the fresh snow is in places a thin layer of ice and/or icy snow remaining from the previous storm in early November. Every year seems to have its unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. SAN JACINTO (MSJC1) Lat: 33.81528NLon: 116.64194WElev: 8616ft. Some hikers will find spikes are useful at least for descending. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. Forecasts are currently predicting 30-50 inches of snow for the highest peaks of the San Jacinto mountains (>10,000 ft) mainly between 23rd and 25th February, and about 18-30 inches for the Idyllwild area (5000-6000 ft elevations). Spikes are generally not required for ascending, but most hikers find them useful at least for descending. The route does not follow the established trail for the most part, and steepens considerably as it nears Wellman Divide. Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. However the track is very useful and it is best to follow that route. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 4-5 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 4 inches on 24th (was approx. The PCT throughout the San Jacinto mountains (roughly Miles 207-151) has a clear track to follow, including Fuller Ridge Trail, which has been traversed by a handful of sobo PCT hikers. While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to help cover costs. Every year seems to have unique challenges and 2022 has been no exception. Forecast precipitation is currently only a dusting of 1-2 inches of snow at upper elevations, but combined with strong winds this will be sufficient to complicate route-finding. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. Florian Boyd kindly reported this morning that snow has dusted down to 4500 ft on the lower (open) section of Skyline Trail. Use this relief map to navigate to mountain peaks in the area of Mount San Jacinto Peak. On the afternoon of 18th I saw posthole tracks that head down the start of the Caramba Trail, and following the PCT southbound toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have no further details at this time. It is starting to turn to light sleet now as temperatures drop to near freezing. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches, Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 2.5 inches (melting already underway this afternoon). Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. Skyline Trail closed on 26th January due to dangerous weather conditions above the State Park boundary (5800 ft elevation). Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. The first number is the current total snow depth, followed in parentheses by the storm total for this latest storm 11th-12th December. Up to one inch of rain is forecast at mid elevations, but with only a couple of inches of snow likely around the highest peaks as the high country may be above the cloud for some of the storm. 2-3 inches on 9th), Saddle Junction/approx. Above Little Round Valley there are at least half-a-dozen tracks ascending toward San Jacinto Peak, none of which accurately follow the established trail route. Conversely in some places scouring by the wind means the depths are well below the average. Spikes are not generally required for ascending, but most hikers will find them useful for descending. South Ridge Trail has been broken from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak with a simple posthole track. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway cuts about 6,000 feet of climbing off the hike . Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0.75 inches (melting rapidly this afternoon). Forecasts for snowfall have varied greatly in both timing and volume, the latter ranging from inches to feet. Currently crampons, always with an ice axe, and advanced knowledge of how to use this equipment, are required. To Tahquitz Peak snow cover averages about 40%, alternating on the 18 switchbacks between those that are largely clear (south-facing) and those that are largely snow-covered (north-facing). Be prepared for trails above about 8000 ft (perhaps lower in places) completely or largely obscured by moderate to deep snow; very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. This may result in very strong winds and bitterly cold windchill temperatures at upper elevations. At the Peak on Wednesday 9th November 2022 at 0820 the air temperature was 14.5F (-10C), with a windchill temperature of -7.8F (-22C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp due West wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 30.5 mph. About six inches of snow fell at San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft) decreasing to 0.5 inch in upper Fern Valley (at c.6000 ft). The high country added only another couple of inches of snow overnight. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 5 inches (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 4-5 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 3-4 inches, drifted to six [measured 11th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 2 inches [measured 11th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): was 2-3 inches on 9th, Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 1-2 inches (photo below), Saddle Junction/approx. The peak is also frequently called Mount San Jacinto. A minor heatwave is forecast for 23rd-27th November with temperatures at all elevations expected to warm to well above seasonal. Snow depths are currently suitable for snowshoeing everywhere above about 8000 ft, possibly lower in places. The Trail Report has adopted Seven Pines Trail as a priority for maintenance work as the trail has had a disproportionate number of lost hiker rescues in the past decade. In Idyllwild both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of late March or even April than of late December. Currently, and increasingly as snow conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 7000 ft, lower in places. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 1-2 inches (was 6 inches on 9th), Deer Springs Trail at top of Marion Mountain Trail (8700 ft): 1-3 inches, Tahquitz Peak (north side trail, 8700 ft): 1-2 inches [measured 19th November], Tahquitz Peak (south side trail, 8500-8700 ft): 0-1 inch [measured 19th November], Long Valley (8600 ft): 0-1 inch (was 2-3 inches on 9th), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0-1 inch (was approx. Spikes are recommended. As evident in the video, spikes are currently needed at least, and snowshoes would be ideal especially for sections that have not yet been traveled. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 4 inches (storm total 3.5 inches), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 3.5 inches (storm total 3.5 inches). Some of the trips we made in the winter were thrilling, and some were brutally cold and miserable. Snow levels could reach as low as 1,500 feet Wednesday morning and areas in the San Bernardino Mountains were projected to receive one to two feet. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. This is expected to be a seasonal closure until next year. Average snow cover is 60%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. Snow Play at Mount San Jacinto Park Easily accessible from Palm Springs, this snowy mountain top is only a short ride up the mountain. On 24th the road had about 30% patchy ice cover. In total,. Steady melting of snow, especially on sun-exposed slopes, and freeze-thaw cycles will combine to change trail conditions and potentially the preferred equipment for the terrain. In Idyllwild for several days both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of March or even April than of late December. The 20th storm of winter 2022/23, the second of two storms across three days, is expected to impact the San Jacinto mountains starting tonight, Tuesday 28th February. Snow cover is a patchy 20% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.5 mile (roughly 8600 ft). These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous. Although excellent tracks are now in place for almost all major trails (details below), cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. If there are Road Closed signs further down often the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. A major warming trend will significantly change conditions on the trail system in the next week or two. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. Visitors who are leaving the There is the possibility that this will end abruptly with a minor storm on Monday 28th November, with 1-3 inches of snow possible above 10,000 ft. The storm started relatively mild, as might be expected from an atmospheric river system pulling moisture in from warmer latitudes, and as a result the freeze level was above 6500 ft for most of the storm, with rain as high as 9000 ft, before finally falling to about 5000 ft on the afternoon of Sunday 1st. Dark Canyon Road (4S02, the access to Seven Pines Trail), and Santa Rosa Truck Trail (7S02) also closed to vehicle traffic for the season on 7th November 2022. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 10 inches (was 12 inches on 9th), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 7-8 inches (photo above), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 3 inches (was 4 inches on 9th), Round Valley (9100 ft): was 4 inches on 9th, Annies Junction/approx. Ernie Maxwell Trail has a well traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Deer Springs Trail (surveyed 8th December) is functionally clear of ice to Strawberry Junction (8100 ft). This is the second heaviest rainfall period in the past decade for Idyllwild (behind the almost unbeatable Great Valentines Day flood event of 2019, when we recorded 7.8 inches in just 20 hours!). In a video taken at the city's tram station, flurries can be seen falling, and sticking, onto the ground. My route down to Little Round Valley will not be especially helpful to ascending hikers, as I made the most of conditions to take a direct glissading route. Preview trail she said. Devils Slide Trail has an excellent compacted track to follow to Saddle Junction. I barebooted to 9000 ft, then snowshoed the rest of the way through lovely light powder. The avalanche was an unusual occurrence on Mount San Jacinto,Riverside Mountain Rescue UnitPresident Eric Holden said. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds there has been drifting, often particularly accumulating in the trails. Very cautious navigation is strongly recommended everywhere. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 12th November 2022 are as follows (measured on 15th for Deer Springs Trail locations). SNOW DEPTHS measured on 18th January 2023 (unless otherwise indicated) are as follows. I ultimately kept my Kahtoola microspikes on until just past the top of Marion Mountain Trail, but could have removed them somewhat sooner. Mount Waterman. NA. The atmospheric river of moisture from lower latitudes was weaker than the storm in early November, although snowfall was ultimately slightly greater in this storm than in November, perhaps in part due to the colder temperatures. Be prepared for trails above about 7500 ft (lower in places) obscured by moderate to deep snow, and even fresh tracks being erased by spindrift snow in places. Spikes tend to be especially useful for descending trails. UPDATE Monday 13th February: the first of two consecutive minor storms came through this morning, and produced more snow than was generally forecast. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th). Spikes are currently recommended throughout the trail system above about 7500 ft, potentially lower in places. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location, followed in parentheses by the depth of fresh snow added by the latest storm on Thursday 5th. On my ascent I put crampons on at Wellmans Cienega (9300 ft) and they were more-or-less essential for traversing the icy slopes of the Peak Trail. 24F-4C. "Here's the thing, who would realize it was an avalanche?" The number given is the current average total snow depth. Dutch Flat, at about 5600 ft elevation between Idyllwild and Pine Cove, recorded 0.86 inch of rain by 1300. This will make trail conditions more complicated, and if in any doubt whatsoever carry and use traction devices accordingly (see discussion in introduction above). Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of snow below 7600 ft, about two miles up, and then snow cover is about 60% up to Saddle Junction but becoming almost continuous within 0.2 mile of the junction. Spikes are not essential, but many hikers may find them useful depending on their comfort level hiking on thin icy snow. With such dramatic rainfall throughout the mountain range in the past two days, and with snow now available for melting in the high country, I do not expect to be reporting on water conditions until next year. I recorded a short video at San Jacinto Peak early on the morning of Monday 12th December (available here) which gives a feel for conditions as the storm was nearing its end. It stopped snowing at about 0800. Snowshoes are not currently advisable on these slopes due to the angle of the underlying ice. This western side of the mountain was better protected from winds and drifting snow, and this track should largely survive until the weekend. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. The East Ridge Trail (from near Miller Peak to San Jacinto Peak) has a handful of tracks through the continuous snow, though none (including mine) accurately follow the trail route. A significant warming trend is expected for later this week and next weekend at all elevations, with significant melting likely, before cooling slightly Monday 6th February but remaining slightly above seasonal. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. Snow from the moderate storm on 8th-9th November (summarized in a prior Report) has been melting steadily as temperatures in the past week have been above seasonal. Thank you for taking the time to read this. High freeze levels may mean rain and/or freezing rain at the highest peaks at times, and icy or mixed snow/ice conditions at all elevations. Spikes are useful but not strictly required for ascending, but most hikers will continue to find them very useful for descending. Deer Springs Trail has a posthole track to follow along its entire length. Mt. Some hikers will find spikes are useful at least for descending. Snow on this east slope is drifted, and remains up to 12 inches deep in places. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has an ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. An informal use trail to Laws is much more direct and avoids all of the very challenging bushwhacking of the former trails (local hikers Charles Phelan and Mark Gumprecht kindly nicknamed it the King Trail when I established the route in 2019). On Mount San Jacinto, the conditions just arent good for avalanches with the slopes and amount of trees we have, he said. Waterproof or highly water resistant footwear is recommended. UPDATE Tuesday 13th December 2022: This morning Anabel and I broke trail up South Ridge Road and South Ridge Trail to Old Lookout Flat (7600 ft). Indeed it rained as high as San Jacinto Peak multiple times on 7th and 8th November. South Ridge Trail is now functionally clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak with only 1-2% icy snow cover overall. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 22nd-27th December 2022 are as follows. Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. Spikes are generally not required. While the snow was not especially deep, it still took about double the time of a completely dry ascent. I stubbornly kept on my snowshoes to 10,100 ft elevation on the Peak Trail, despite some lateral slipping as I traversed the icy snow slopes. Even when the gate is closed there are nine legal parking spaces this side of the locked gate (near the upper Ernie Maxwell trailhead). SNOW DEPTHS measured (largely) on 21st November 2022 are as follows, with depths from 9th November 2022 in parentheses where known. Indeed a wild wind in the high country that day was erasing tracks within hours or even minutes (see photos below). Snow cover is only 50% below 6700 ft, about 95% up to 7200 ft, and continuous thereafter. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Mountain Sunrise Hike and Meditation in Palm Springs. Note that the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway has announced they will be closed tomorrow, Saturday 25th, due to extreme weather. No tracks had made it as far as Chinquapin from Saddle Junction at that time. Similarly, Long Valley (8600ft) added about two inches overnight for a storm total of about seven inches and a current total depth of about 15 inches.
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