Early on the morning of Saturday 17th I broke trail back-and-forth across the 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak which now has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Wednesday 1st February 2023 at 0935 the air temperature was 16.6F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -8.0F (-22C), 13% relative humidity, and a wild NNE wind sustained at 21 mph gusting to 35.2 mph. That said, the going was extremely easy as the rain layer on top of the snow remaining for earlier storms had completely frozen, so I was only having to break trail through an inch or two of fine powder. 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). As of this morning, I saw no other broken tracks on the high country trail system. Forecasts suggest it may stop snowing in the next few hours. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Four Hikers On The Summit Of San Gorgonio Mountain 1900-1915 Cali - Old Photo at the best online prices at eBay! The high country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast for the high country. Temperatures will climb steadily this week and be well above seasonal for at least 21st-28th December. 2020 San Gorgonio: Type of Hike: Day hike: Trailhead: Vivian Creek Trail: Hiking Companions: Hiked with a partner: Road Conditions: Road suitable for all vehicles: Bug Status: Bugs were not too bad: Snow Conditions: Snow free: Trail Conditions: Trail in good condition: Long day hike, bugs were bearable, trail was dry. . Marion Mountain Trail [updated 22nd December] has a well-defined but lumpy posthole track throughout. Additional moderate snowfall is tentatively forecast for 28th February-1st March. There are other South Fork Trails in Southern California, so make sure you are going to South Fork . A positive start to the new year, this is a summary of conditions following the fifth Pacific storm (but only the third significant snowfall) of winter 2022/23 to impact the San Jacinto mountains. The trailhead is reached by turning east off Highway 38 to Forest Falls, then continuing until the road ends at the top and east end of Big Falls Picnic Area. We had a Garmin GPS with us and it showed the total round trip mileage from the parking lot where you first start walking, to the top and back, as being a little over 18 miles round trip! While all time and labor is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report uses small private donations to cover costs. 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. There is precipitation forecast from Wednesday 28th into the first week of 2023. The natural traction was superb, and I barebooted all the way to just above Wellman Divide (9700 ft) before finally putting on Kahtoola microspikes, accompanied by an ice axe. Thank you so much for your support. Qu'il s'agisse de randonnes pdestres ou vlo, il y a beaucoup d'endroits voir et visiter autour de Yucaipa. --Meursault in 'The Stranger', Routes The route does not follow the established trail for the most part, and steepens considerably as it nears Wellman Divide. That's suicide." With the light dusting of fresh powder overnight, accompanied by strong winds causing extensive drifting, prior tracks had been partially obscured everywhere and almost completely erased above 8900 ft so I was again breaking trail in the high country. The peak is one of eleven peaks that are over 10,000 feet in elevation in the southeast portion of the San Bernardino Mountains. History of the San Gorgonio Wilderness; History of the SGWA; Newsletters; 2022 SGWA Yearbook; 2021 SGWA Yearbook; 2020 SGWA Yearbook; 2019 SGWA Yearbook; Contact; Events. In Idyllwild both overnight low and daytime high temperatures will be more typical of late March or even April than of late December. The Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail has a well-traveled track to follow throughout its length, snow cover is about 80%. May 20th is the Erie Zoo Earth Day Celebration and they've invited the Girl Scouts to the party. While my snowshoe track continues from Saddle Junction through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, this was already becoming partially obscured by a combination of ice fall from overhead trees, melting of surface snow, and light drifting of powder in some areas. San Diego County Trail Map Sale Price: $13.88 . Stone Creek campground had also closed, but I saw that it had apparently reopened for Thanksgiving weekend. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Lamentably this latest storm was again very mild, with rain falling as high as the elevation of San Jacinto Peak see photos below all morning on Tuesday 10th, until finally turning to light snow in the early afternoon (at about 1330 in Long Valley). Thank you so much for your support. Consequently cautious navigation is recommended everywhere. The track on Deer Springs Trail largely follows the existing trail route up to Little Round Valley. He's a pretty strong-willed guy." Four hikers have been found dead in three weeks, none of them novices. I put spikes on at the Peak for the descent and ultimately kept on my Kahtoola microspikes until about 9000 ft, one mile north of Saddle Junction. Spikes are not essential but will be useful for most hikers, especially for descending. My pre-dawn hike up Devils Slide Trail on 11th January was delightful, primarily because there was the noise of running water almost everywhere. Thereafter a cooling trend will take temperatures well below seasonal again including the possibility of minor precipitation on 11th-15th February. On the morning of Friday 6th January, getting an Alpine start, I broke trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak via Devils Slide, PCT, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge trails. 6. The snowfall of this 20th storm of the winter brings the seasonal total here to 71.8 inches of snow, which is 233% of the average water year snowfall for Idyllwild. The areas Im reporting are within a mile or so of the McDonalds. Currently spikes at a minimum, and ideally crampons, with an ice axe, are strongly recommended. Hiked the South Fork trail to Dry Lake where we camped for the night. However the route is now largely well-traveled and compacted. Nearby homes similar to 641 Avenida Vaquero have recently sold between $2,480K to $2,480K at an average of $1,060 per square foot. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Early morning hikes to San Jacinto Peak have generally had icy snow underfoot with sufficient bite for grippy boots, allowing me to bareboot all the way to San Jacinto Peak. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 1st January 2023 are as follows. My Time: 9 hours 17 minutes (moving), 11 hours 37 minutes total. According to "tarol" Adventure Passes are now required at only the Vivian, Momyer, and South Fork Trailheads - the other SG Wilderness Trailheads are free. On the morning of Wednesday 15th February I ascended via the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, Peak, and East Ridge routes), descending the western side via roughly Deer Springs Trail. Snow Snowfields to cross - could be difficult. 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). Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. There is a very well-traveled track through increasingly patchy thin icy snow from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Two more significant atmospheric river storm systems are forecast on Saturday 14th-Sunday 15th, and on 16th-18th. PCT Mile 181.8 (9070 ft): 2-3 inches (5.5 inches on 12th December), Marion Mountain Trail at junction with PCT (8700 ft): 3-4 inches (6 inches on 12th December), Long Valley (8600 ft): 1-2 inches (5-6 inches on 12th December), Strawberry Junction (8100 ft): 0-1 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Saddle Junction/approx. Current known total accumulations are 4 inches in Idyllwild, 6 inches at Devils Slide Trailhead, 9 inches at Saddle Junction, and 8 inches at Long Valley. South Fork camps such as Dry and Dollar Lakes are also filling several weeks in advance. Forest, San Gorgonio Wilderness, San Jacinto Wilderness and State Park. Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Use this trailhead address: South Fork Trail 1E04, 40800-40894 Jenks Lake Rd W, Angelus Oaks, CA 92305. UPDATE Wednesday 28th December: the overnight rain storm produced 0.73 inch in Idyllwild (measured at 5550 ft) while Long Valley (8600 ft) led San Jacinto mountain locations in rainfall with 1.01 inch. If there are Road Closed signs further down at the junction with Forest Drive sometimes the case at weekends and holidays when snow is present then those nine spaces are also theoretically unavailable for legal parking. This rain produces huge masses of ice in the trees, including chunks as large as a small microwave weighing 40-80 lb, which then dislodge as soon as direct sunlight warms the trees. Every year seems to have its unique challenges, and it is already clear that 2023 will be no exception. Consequently the trail conditions and snow depths reported herein will change dramatically over the next few days. Otherwise, reliable posthole tracks are in place from Saddle Junctions through to San Jacinto Peak via Wellman Divide, but parts will become obscured by drifting snow. Ernie Maxwell Trail [checked 2nd February] has a heavily traveled track to follow along its entire length, through the increasingly patchy icy snow. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. South Ridge Trail (surveyed 26th and 30th November) is now functionally clear of snow to Tahquitz Peak with only 1-2% icy snow cover overall. Round Valley is the campsite along the trail to San Jacinto from the Long Valley ranger station. Storm number 20, and the last of a stunning first two months of 2023, produced another major snowfall with 10 inches overnight in Idyllwild, and it is still snowing heavily. They are strongly recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, the Wellman Trail, Deer Springs Trail above Little Round Valley, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, and on both flanks but critically on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. Generally considered a challenging route. We surveyed the PCT where it crosses Highway 74 (approx. Between November 2021 and May 2022, 61 downed trees were removed and almost the entire trail thoroughly trimmed and cleared. At the Peak on Wednesday 15th February 2023 at 1030 the air temperature was 4.9F (-15C), with a windchill temperature of -26.3F (-32C), 65% relative humidity, and a bitter due North wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 27.7 mph. South Fork via Dollar Lake 9.8 miles 4,622' gain Sadly this phenomenon has become much more of a factor in the past 5-10 years with freezing rainfall (rather than snow) occurring at higher elevations at higher frequency with much warmer weather systems. Given cold temperatures for the foreseeable future, melting is expected to slow (or largely stop in the high country). "Everything he has done indicates he was not an experienced hiker. And as a reminder, self-issue permits are only good for that day. Free day use and overnight permits are required. Early on the morning of Saturday 17th I broke trail back-and-forth across the 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak which now has a lightly traveled posthole track to follow through the drifted powder (photo below). You must be logged in to create new topics. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-1 inch (0.5 inch hail/sleet plus 1.04 inch rain on 5th). On the south east side of the 15. 3407 Calle Sin Rival is located in San Clemente, the 92673 zipcode, and the Capistrano Unified School District. At the Peak on Monday 13th February 2023 at 1010 the air temperature was 16.8F (-10C), with a windchill temperature of -1.3F (-19C), 95% relative humidity, and a wintry NNW wind sustained at 7 mph gusting to 13.2 mph. Snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. (For readers who are unclear, Skyline Trail forms the lower two-thirds of the Cactus-to-Clouds [C2C] route.) Coldwell Banker. Please check this page for periodic updates throughout the storm (the most recent is at the top). Since the depths given in the previous Report, there has been some melting at higher elevations on sunny days and below 9000 ft caused by the heavy rainfall. You will enter San Gorgonio Wilderness as the trail begins to gentle down. There was no evidence of hiker tracks on Fuller Ridge Trail or Seven Pines Trail as of Monday 23rd January. The Fish Creek Trail is a great route. The first number is the current average total snow depth at that location followed in parentheses by the maximum depth where known so far this winter, generally immediately following the major storm sequence on 14th-17th January 2023. In my most recent survey there were at least 82 treefall hazards between PCT Miles 170-175 including 20+ major ones, and about six more on PCT Miles 175-177. "On Mount San Jacinto, the conditions just aren't good for avalanches with the slopes and amount . For day use a permit is required on any of the trails in the San Gorgonio Wilderness. At Day Camp, girls sing songs, try their hand at science experiments, learn knot-tying skills, make arts and crafts and enjoy water activities during these fun themed weeks. I kept those on for the rest of the ascent, and almost all of the descent, finally removing them most of the way down Devils Slide Trail. There were no visible hiker tracks on Marion Mountain, Seven Pines, or Fuller Ridge trails, as of 15th February. A fourth and final minor system is expected on 28th February-1st March. Our Council owns and operates Skyland Ranch, a magnificent 192-acre camp property in the San Jacinto Mountains below the town of Idyllwild, and Camp Azalea Trails, a remote camp setting located outside of Idyllwild. SGWA lists the elevation gain from momyer creek trailhead to SG summit as 6,062'. At about 10K feet we began seeing our fist snow obstructing the trail. Both days I put spikes on at the Peak for the descent, on 24th keeping them on until about 8000 ft on Marion Mountain Trail, and on 28th until about 9900 ft on the Peak Trail, roughly one mile north of Wellman Divide. Forecasts remain more uncertain about the second wave of stormy weather on 16th-18th January. SOLD JUN 7, 2022. On cold mornings the trail will be icy and some hikers will find spikes are useful, however on warmer days and afternoons spikes are not required. South Ridge Trail has been broken from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak with a simple posthole track. The route is blessed with views first of Fish Creek Meadows, then the Ten Thousand Foot Ridge and Grinnell Mountain, and then Dry Lake while traversing Lake Peak. 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). Current forecasts suggest that there may be significant snowfall on Sunday 29th-Monday 30th January at all elevations, but some warming and steady snow melt likely on either side of that date. While all time and effort is volunteered, the San Jacinto Trail Report requests small private donations to cover costs. The average snow depth in this area is only about five inches, but on this slope it is heavily drifted in places at 10-12 inches. 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. Nice postcard view of Dry Lake covered in untouched snow. There is a very well-traveled track from Saddle Junction to Tahquitz Peak. As of the afternoon of Monday 12th, the only tracks that I saw and that are known to be in place are my snowshoe track between Humber Park and San Jacinto Peak (using Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails), and the track of Kyle Eubanks from the previous evening between Long Valley and the Peak via Wellman Divide (which remained surprisingly visible in places about 15-20 hours later, showing how calm the winds were overnight). 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. My tracks from today (Friday 6th January) from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak and back will be largely visible but will be somewhat obscured in places. Section D. I-15/Cajon Pass to Hwy-14/Agua Dulce. At the Peak on Friday 6th January 2023 at 0930 the air temperature was 25.7F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 14.7F (-10C), 44% relative humidity, and a chilly NNW breeze sustained at 5 mph gusting to 10.6 mph. However a brief frigid interlude on 5th-6th February included a very light overnight snowfall at all elevations above 5000 ft, with 0.75 inch in Idyllwild, increasing to 1.5 inch at San Jacinto Peak. Aminian's body was found Jan. 14. Spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 19th December 2022 at 0920 the air temperature was 31.3F (0C), with a windchill temperature of 20.7F (-6C), 9% relative humidity, and a light WNW wind sustained at 5 mph gusting to 9.9 mph. My track largely follows the established trail routes, with some modifications for the conditions. By 619jeffry. Park here above the picnic area where there are a handful of parking spots. 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. The second system may be more substantial, with precipitation expected most of the day and night of Saturday 31st December into Sunday 1st January. I descended via Deer Springs Trail, breaking trail snowshoeing through virgin powder all the way down to the Suicide Rock Trail junction. At 11,499 feet, San Gorgonio Mountain is the highest peak in California south of the Sierra. From near Miller Peak, I did not continue to break trail on the Peak Trail, but instead turned up the East Ridge, breaking a track roughly along the route of the old East Ridge Trail. Section B. Warner Springs to I-10/San Gorgonio Pass. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Sunday 1st January 2023 at 0830 the air temperature was 17.9F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -2.3F (-19C), 100% relative humidity, and a sharp WSW wind sustained at 11 mph gusting to 21.1 mph. 8. It's 7.8 miles (Gary Suttle's book lists it as 8.4 miles) with almost 5,500 feet in elevation gain. As always after storms in the San Jacinto range be aware of considerable ice fall from overhead trees. San Gorgonio is located 82 miles east of Los Angeles, just south of Big Bear. Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has an ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Conditions remain very unsettled for the first week of January. Snowfall in the high country has been somewhat below expectations, with nine inches at San Jacinto Peak (for a current total depth of about 16-18 inches), and 5-6 inches in Long Valley (8600ft, total c.6 inches). Forest Service campgrounds at Boulder Basin, Marion Mountain, and Fern Basin are closed for the season. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Waterproof or highly water resistant footwear is recommended. At the on Monday 5th December 2022 at 0840 the air temperature was 24.1F (-4C), with a windchill temperature of 2.8F (-16C), 20% relative humidity, and a bitter WSW wind sustained at 18 mph gusting to 33.0 mph. 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. Aconcagua mountain itself has many routes, photos, and trip reports as children. This makes for less than perfect snowshoeing conditions, but still preferable to postholing. A short video summary of what we found is available here. The San Bernardino Mountains are unique in that they have an eastwest orientation, making them transverse to the general northsouth orientation of most of California's coastal mountains. Snow cover is about 80% from Strawberry Junction north for about 1.0 mile (roughly 8500 ft), and thereafter essentially continuous to San Jacinto Peak. Lightly-traveled snowshoe and/or posthole tracks radiate away from Saddle Junction around the meadow trail and south toward Chinquapin Flat, but I have not checked how accurately they follow established trail routes or how far they continue. However excellent well-traveled and compacted tracks are now in place for most of the major trails (details below). Lightly cloudy conditions made for a delightful hike on the evening of Monday 21st ascending San Jacinto Peak via Marion Mountain and Deer Spring trails, descending the east side (Devils Slide, Wellman, and Peak trails). Even if its warm and sunny at lower elevations, its cold and icy in the wilderness. My track from last week largely followed the established route of the trail, especially below the Fuller Ridge junction, but higher up the track is much more direct in places. I recorded a short(ish) video report from San Jacinto Peak late morning on Monday 30th (available here on YouTube) that gives a feel for the conditions in the high country at that time. Trails down to 4000 ft elevation currently have shallow snow cover. Dogs : Yes. Despite the relatively weak sun at this time of year, such warm temperatures mean that snow melt may be unusually rapid (for December) at all elevations, snow conditions will generally be poor for hiking (soft, slippery, and even slushy), while in many areas conditions will be ideal for freeze/thaw cycles and hence icy trails in the early mornings above about 7000 ft. The table also shows that with another few inches, this could be the biggest snow season since the 1940s! They tend to be especially valuable for descending trails. San Gorgonio Peak via Vivian Creek Trail Directions: These icy slopes are notoriously treacherous and have been an area of multiple hiker fatalities in winter conditions in recent decades. I was very happy to find no new treefall hazards down on Spitler Peak Trail. As described above, crampons (always in conjunction with an ice axe) are currently recommended on certain moderate and higher angle slopes, at a minimum on the Peak Trail above Wellman Divide, and uppermost South Ridge Trail, especially on the north face of Tahquitz Peak. However a couple more inches of snow are expected this afternoon, and also on 2nd and 5th January. Jeff H. Keymaster. Devils Slide Trail has a well traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. Seven Pines Trail has one set of hiker tracks through the snow since the storm in early November 2022. As mentioned above, the focus is on heavy snowfall expected over the next 5-6 days (and potentially again on 28th February-1st March). At the Peak on Friday 2nd December 2022 at 1620 the air temperature was 26.2F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 11.8F (-11C), 55% relative humidity, and a fresh WSW wind sustained at 8 mph gusting to 15.4 mph. Although most of the downed trees reported this summer were cleared in July, four more major trees came down in Tropical Storm Kay in September. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 6-8 inches (12-14 inches on 12th December), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 8 inches (10-12 inches on 12th December), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-2 inches (7 inches on 12th December), Annies Junction/approx. Although not required, many hikers will find spikes useful especially for descending. Thanks. PCT Mile 179.9 (8070 ft): 3 inches (4 inches on 12th December), Devils Slide Trail at Humber Park (6550 ft): 0-1 inches (3.5 inches on 12th December). If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. However they remain valuable for off-trail travel at elevations above about 9000 ft (potentially lower in places). Current expectations are only for 1-2 inches of snow at mid elevations (e.g., Idyllwild) and not much more at higher elevations, perhaps 2-3 inches with each storm. Spikes are recommended at least for descending upper Deer Springs Trail. Hard 4.7 (4326) San Gorgonio Wilderness. 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. United States. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures generally below freezing in the high country, and well below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship. Spitler Peak Trail had 10 new treefall hazards, almost all in the upper switchbacks. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, mixed with slushy and icy patches. There is no planned reopening date at this time. In Idyllwild (at 5550 ft) additional light rain this morning has added up to 0.1 inch. scotchybob. Many hikers will nevertheless find spikes useful in places, especially for descending. 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. 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. The second system, possible in a broad time window between 2nd and 4th December, may produce significant snow in the high country (forecasts have ranged widely from 0-30 inches above 10,000 ft!) There is a well-traveled track on the lowest section of Deer Springs Trail continuing out to Suicide Rock. SGWA is testing a new interactive trail map! Portable gas stoves are allowed with a valid. Temperatures will be below seasonal for December for at least the next week, with many days cloudy or at least partly cloudy. 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 main track is clearest just above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 15th February 2023 are as follows. potentially dangerous) windchill temperatures. website belongs to an official government organization in the Hikers should be prepared for temperatures well below freezing in the high country, and far below freezing when considering wind chill effects (see below for my recent weather observations from San Jacinto Peak). Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to Saddle Junction. However this may change next week with new snowfall possible as discussed below. Minimum Impact Ethics; Wilderness Regulations; Forum; Trails. PCTA is aware of the situation, and is hoping to start addressing it soon (weather permitting). Ironically the closure is due to unprecedented snow fall, although such snow fall was average prior to this century, and would have even been below average in the 1970s. Further light snow is expected starting this evening, followed by much heavier snow overnight on 28th February-1st March. They will be especially valuable on well-consolidated tracks over the coming days and weeks before they clear of snow (e.g., Devils Slide, Ernie Maxwell, Deer Springs trails, at least), on colder mornings when conditions are icy, and for descending. Be prepared for ice and deep snow, bring crampons and /or snow shoes and above all do not hike past your limits. Spikes are generally not required. From near Miller Peak I put in a track up the East Ridge, rather than continuing on the Peak Trail round to Summit Junction, but this track was being partially erased by spindrift within minutes. Three significant trees are now down across the trail, including two major hazards (one new in gale force winds on 26th) that are not easy to hike around both roughly halfway along the trail. 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 be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and generally far freezing when considering wind chill effects. San Gorgonio, located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. Spikes are recommended. Snowshoes will remain valuable anywhere off trail above about 8000 ft for the foreseeable future. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting, often accumulating in the trails. Other Info. Authorities urged all hikers to travel with a companion, tell a friend or family member of their exact hiking path, stick to it if at all possible, know the weather forecast, dress warmly and understand that there are many mountainous pockets where cellphones don't work. There is a lightly traveled compacted snowshoe track on the East Ridge between Miller Peak and San Jacinto Peak but it does not accurately follow the route of the East Ridge Trail. UPDATE Wednesday 22nd: the first of four storms expected over the next eight days, the sixteenth storm of this winter, produced a very light snowfall but bitterly cold conditions in the San Jacinto mountains overnight.