For example, although Long Valley currently has about 5 feet of snow, publicly available records for the 1970s show that Long Valley averaged 119 inches (almost 10 feet!) Average snow cover is 40%, but is nearly continuous near Humber Park. He's a pretty strong-willed guy." View 18632 Deer Trail Rd, Banning, CA 92220 property records for FREE including property ownership, deeds, mortgages, titles & sales history, current & historic tax assessments, legal, parcel & structure description, land use, zoning & more. ft. home is a 2 bed, 3.0 bath property. Note that average depth is given; due to strong winds accompanying storms there is extensive drifting. June 20, 2017 at 7:59 pm #387136. Treacherous ice is the common denominator in three of the four deaths, and the disappearances of Kumm and Barbour, said Sgt. 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. "Sunshine lulls people into a false sense of security. With such strong Santa Ana winds on Thursday 26th causing extensive drifting, and a light snowfall early on 30th, by the 30th prior tracks had been thoroughly erased and I was once again breaking trail the entire way from Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak, largely through relatively shallow powder. Marion Mountain Trail has a very well-defined track to follow. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock At the Peak on Sunday 15th January 2023 at 0750 the air temperature was 17.8F (-8C), with a windchill temperature of -5.6F (-21C), 100% relative humidity, and a wild SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 30.2 mph. Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 3.0 inches (storm total 3.0 inches). 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. Hiking Trails. I put in a posthole track the entire way up, but crampons (with an ice axe) were essential at that time on the upper switchbacks above about 8300 ft due to the typical steeply angled ice obscured underneath 6-12 inches of powder (photos below). 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). Marion Mountain Trail [updated 15th] has a mix of snowshoe and posthole tracks all the way up to its junction with Deer Springs Trail. Amrhein spoke at the command post at the closed Vivian Creek hiking trailhead, where weary search-and-rescue teams fanned out on a foot of fresh snow atop sheer ice, looking for Eugene Kumm, 25, of Seal Beach, missing since he set out alone for San Gorgonio peak Saturday. 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. Hopefully someone will update the trail description with respect to the total miles. The second storm on 15th-16th is expected to be colder with a lower freeze level which may result in 1-2 inches of snow down to 5000 ft or possibly even lower. Spikes could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing. Snowshoes are useful in low to moderate angle terrain with adequate snow depth above about 8000 ft, for example the Tahquitz area meadows near Saddle Junction, sections of Deer Springs Trail, and Long Valley/Round Valley. On 19th the cold icy early morning snow had good bite for grippy boots and I barebooted all the way to San Jacinto Peak. Map showing recreational areas. By the afternoon of 15th, melting was already underway below 7000 ft. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. It is possible they may deteriorate even further with some warming from direct sunlight. 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. 10 inches on 9th November), Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 0-1 inch (was 4 inches on 9th November), Annies Junction/approx. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. 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. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. Currently the snow is relatively powdery; this will steadily change over the next few days and weeks. I've climbed it many times during winter and have found myself to be the only soul on the mountain. Cold clouds in the high country produced thick rime on the trees above about 10,200 ft elevation on 1st December (photo from 2nd below) but otherwise no meaningful precipitation. 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. Although the snow is not currently particularly deep (10-12 inches) it is heavily drifted and has an ice layer underneath the fresh powder. Note that snow depth itself is rarely indicative of the difficulty (or otherwise) of hiking a particular trail. Marion Mountain Trail [updated 22nd December] has a well-defined but lumpy posthole track throughout. Trail Details. On Monday 13th I also postholed the entire hike, as I was able to ascend barebooting to about 9200 ft before putting on crampons. For about one mile north of Saddle Junction, snow cover is only a patchy 30% on the sun exposed slope (Angels Glide) and then averages about 50% on the Wellman Trail, but then icy snow cover is about 95% on the Peak Trail to San Jacinto Peak. This forum has 533 topics, 1,821 replies, and was last updated No Topics by. Note that averages are given; due to strong winds and considerable powder there is extreme drifting. MikeH. San Bernardino National Forest Near Angelus Oaks, California. There was thin patchy snow at the trailhead (4900 ft) and then it was largely continuous above 5800 ft. By 1st February there was a somewhat meandering snowshoe track from Round Valley (and presumably Long Valley) up to San Jacinto Peak, ultimately using the East Ridge route from near Miller Peak, that generally followed lower angle terrain and avoided the traversing slopes of the Peak Trail. That said, it has just started gently snowing in both locations, so storm totals may increase slightly over the next couple of hours. A double storm has been forecast as a possibility between Monday 28th November and Sunday 4th December. Spikes are recommended, at least for descending. With another storm imminent tomorrow, I do not plan a thorough update until Wednesday 15th. On June 22, 16 SGWA Trail Crew members headed for the Vivian Creek trail. Although not essential in the moderate depth powder, spikes are strongly recommended and many hikers will find them useful especially for descending. Contact the San Bernardino National Forest, San Gorgonio Ranger District, 34701 Mill Creek Rd., Mentone, CA 92359 (909) 794-1123 or fax (909) 794-1125. 41900 Falls Rd. Snow depths are currently excellent for snowshoeing above about 7000 ft, where trails havent been too heavily traveled and compacted. There is also a Little Round Valley campground which is on the . shawnsisler. Even as melting proceeds steadily (details below), trails are very icy due to daily freeze/thaw cycles and compaction from hiker traffic, and spikes are recommended throughout the trail system above about 8000 ft (lower in places). The freeze level again started very high at >9000 ft, with light rain falling in Long Valley (8600 ft) all morning. 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. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 6th January 2023 are as follows. Only 2.5 inches of snow fell at San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft) decreasing to 0.25 inch in upper Fern Valley (at approximately 6000 ft). San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 2-4 inches (was 12 inches on 9th November), Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 2-4 inches (was approx. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Eventually with compaction of the trails caused by increasing hiker traffic and freeze/thaw cycles snowshoes may steadily become less useful, however they will certainly remain valuable for off-trail travel in the high country well into February at least. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. It may be in the 60s and 70s in the valleys, but it's not warm in the mountains. U.S. Forest Service personnel were preparing similar advisories to be given to hikers who buy parking and hiking permits in the San Bernardino, Cleveland, Angeles and Los Padres national forests. The trail is clearest above immediately above LRV and again close to the Peak junction. 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. When you are 3.3 miles into the trail, stay left and turn towards High Creek. Other Info. Currently the USFS gate at Humber Park is closed. From there I used snowshoes to ascend via Annies Junction and Wellman Divide. It's nearly 20 miles, a 5,600 foot elevation gain and it reaches 11,503 feet! The second week of January is expected to be relatively warm and sunny, so extensive melting will start, especially at mid elevations. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. "I'm assuming, with all the snow, he just got turned around," Henley said. She was driving on Interstate 10 (and had to concentrate on the road!) Your contribution keeps the Report available to all, free from advertising or paywalls, and independent from agencies. These impacts are especially striking in Southern California mountains, where the sun is relatively potent even in midwinter and where even on the coldest days temperatures at mid elevations may fluctuate either side of freezing. The 0.4 mile section of South Ridge Trail between Chinquapin Flat/PCT and Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled and level track to follow through the slowly melting inch of patchy icy snow (photo below from 30th November). While the shallow icy snow should melt steadily over the next few days, 4WD/AWD vehicles are recommended. 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. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Thursday 24th November 2022 at 0810 the air temperature was 29.0F (-2C), with a windchill temperature of 5.7F (-15C), 16% relative humidity, and a severe NNW wind sustained at 25 mph gusting to 35.1 mph. Spikes are recommended especially in the morning as the snow is now hard, compacted and very icy in places. 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. Snow depths measured at many locations on the trail system on 11th January are given at the foot of this posting. Portable gas stoves are allowed. Precipitation has been steady at mid and upper elevations for the past few hours. One of the most visited National Forest in Southern California. Temperatures on the morning of 15th were the lowest of this winter, and among the lowest of the past decade. SNOW DEPTHS measured on 12th November 2022 are as follows (measured on 15th for Deer Springs Trail locations). Ice covers trails and slopes frequented by hikers, he said. Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. Devils Slide Trail is functionally clear of icy snow to about 7700 ft (about 1.7 miles up) although some dirty icy patches remain below that. Thank you so much for your support. Approximately 200-250 people will be running on the Pacific Crest Trail south of Lake Hughes in Angeles National Forest on April 22, 2023. No fresh snow fell overnight, with storm totals of about nine inches at San Jacinto Peak and 0.5 inch in Idyllwild unchanged. Both storms produced more snow than was generally forecast. Visitors can call our Mill Creek Visitor Center (909) 382-2882 and our staff will help plan any enjoyable trip to the forest." They will be especially valuable on well-consolidated tracks over the coming 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. They are now invaluable on heavily traveled, compacted, icy tracks (before they clear of snow in the coming weeks) such as Devils Slide, Ernie Maxwell, and Deer Springs trails, at least, especially mornings when conditions tend to be most icy, and for descending. These storms are currently forecast to each produce at least ten inches of snow at the highest elevations and an inch or more of rain at mid elevations (e.g., in Idyllwild). The summit of San Gorgonio (11,499') is 3 miles beyond High Creek. Some hikers may continue to find spikes useful for some of the minor icy patches but they are no longer required. The wilderness encompasses an incredible transition between desert, and mountain environments, including an enormous variety of thriving plant and animal species, in addition to bear, deer, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. Dogs : Yes. Started by: jack. The traversing slopes above Wellmans Divide were very firm and relatively tricky in snowshoes, and some hikers may prefer to use spikes (or probably crampons) plus an ice axe above about 9800 ft. As I descended past Saddle Junction I was surprised not to see any other tracks as of early afternoon on Friday 6th, which I mention only because of the lack of broken trails this indicates. SOLD JUN 7, 2022. On South Ridge Trail spikes at least, but preferably crampons, are required for the uppermost switchbacks. Reliable tracks are in place (at least) for Devils Slide Trail. San Gorgonio, located in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. 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. However this may change next week with new snowfall possible as discussed below. Only saw one person all day on the way down (started at 5:30 am). Although excellent tracks are now in place for almost all major trails cautious navigation remains recommended. Search and Rescue advises always hike with someone, and not leave your group. Azalea Drive, the access road to Marion Mountain trailhead, has not been fully plowed (surveyed Tuesday 14th). Ernie Maxwell Trail has good tracks to follow along its entire length, through the continuous snow cover a few inches deep. At the Peak on Thursday 29th December 2022 at 0910 the air temperature was 25.8F (-3C), with a windchill temperature of 7.2F (-14C), 81% relative humidity, and a harsh WNW wind sustained at 12 mph gusting to 25.4 mph. 1629 Sams Cyn , Beaumont, CA 92223-7572 is a single-family home listed for-sale at $699,900. 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. Round Valley is the campsite along the trail to San Jacinto from the Long Valley ranger station. Due to the difficult nature of the hike, we decided to arrive at the trailhead at 5am to get an early start. Black Mountain Road also closed on 7th November to vehicle traffic at the gate 1.7 miles up from Highway 243. UPDATE Thursday 15th December 2022: Early this morning I hiked to San Jacinto Peak from Humber via Devils Slide, Wellman and Peak trails. Turn right onto San Bernardino Peak Trail and finally gain the San Gorgonio summit. If you have found this Report useful, please consider using this link to the Donate page. momyer-open-map. Although snow depths are not generally sufficient to obscure the routes of the major trails, cautious navigation is recommended everywhere for the next few days in particular until tracks through the snow are in place. In the high country temperatures will be 10-20F above seasonal and, more significantly regarding snow/ice conditions, well above freezing for at least a week. 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. My posthole/glissading track between LRV and San Jacinto Peak is very direct and steep, and of limited help to an ascending hiker. This will change later this week. The storm forecast for 29th-30th January looks less dramatic than previously predicted, with the high country largely above the storm (only an inch of snow forecast), and only 2-4 inches now expected at the elevation of Idyllwild. South Ridge Trail from the top of South Ridge Road to Tahquitz Peak has a well-traveled track to follow through the very light and patchy 1-3 inches of icy snow. Spitler Peak Trail has a very visible boot track through light snow to the PCT. The Vivian Creek Trail is the shortest and the steepest route to the summit of Mt. They are not currently recommended for traversing moderate or higher angle slopes above 9000 ft that have challenging ice underlying powder. The flow of atmospheric river storm systems continues unabated across California. Given cold temperatures for the foreseeable future, melting is expected to slow (or largely stop in the high country). Many hikers will nevertheless find spikes useful in places, especially for descending. Compacted trails such as Devils Slide, Deer Springs, Marion Mountain, South Ridge are extremely icy between 7400-8900 ft due to the rain yesterday which has now frozen. Details of snow depths measured at various locations on the trail system are given at the foot of this posting. South Ridge Road is now clear of ice and snow. San Jacinto Peak (10810 ft): 40-45 inches [2 inches] (45-48 inches), drifted >50 inches in places, Little Round Valley (9800 ft): 45 inches, heavily drifted, measured 23rd January, Wellman Divide (9700 ft): 40 inches [2 inches] (45 inches), Annies Junction/PCT Mile 180.8 (9070 ft): 44 inches [4 inches] (48 inches), Tahquitz Peak (8836 ft): 25 inches, heavily drifted to 40 inches in places, measured 20th January, Seven Pines Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (8700 ft): 36 inches, measured 23rd January, Long Valley (8600 ft): 22 inches [2 inches] (24 inches), Strawberry Junction/PCT Mile 183 (8100 ft): 15 inches, measured 23rd January, Saddle Junction/PCT Mile 179 (8070 ft): 22 inches [5 inches] (22 inches), Suicide Rock Trail junction with Deer Springs Trail (6950 ft): 3 inches, measured 23rd January, Devils Slide trailhead at Humber Park (6550 ft): 4-5 inches [4 inches] (6 inches) already melting afternoon of 30th, Idyllwild (at 5550 ft): 0-2 inches [3.5 inches] (3-4 inches) rapidly melting afternoon of 30th. scotchybob. "The vegetation is not strong in burned areas; more rocks are falling than ever before in those areas. 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. A very mild system with rain to 9000 ft elevation (and consequently very icy conditions), and one inch of fresh snow above about 9000 ft elevation, increasing to 1.5 inch above 10,000 ft. Measurements taken on Monday 30th were unchanged by Wednesday 1st. Difficulty : Strenuous. New phone # 909-382-2882If you want a permit for Vivian for a dayhike on the weekend in the summertime, you must get it 3-4 weeks in advance. Days are short and nights are very cold. 2 night trip - SB Peak Trail to Limber Pine, Trail Fork Springs and back. Many locations below 9000 ft had actually experienced a net loss of snow depth, as the (relatively) warm rain had melted and compacted the pre-existing snow, and so little new snow fell subsequently. 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 was near-whiteout conditions due to wild spindrift above Wellman Divide, but the new snow was firm and overall made for good snowshoeing conditions. Broadly speaking it is clear that snowfall has become much more variable in the past decade, ranging from extremely dry (<10 inches) to, obviously, very snowy. On my hike up to San Jacinto Peak it started snowing gently at 1025 in the high country. I was pleased to see that over the weekend some posthole tracks were added on top of my snowshoe track from last week all the way up Deer Springs Trail to San Jacinto Peak. They are not however required, depending upon your comfort level hiking on shallow variable snow, potentially mixed with slushy and icy patches. "It's just a sheet of ice up there," said John Amrhein, emergency services coordinator for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. The total snow accumulation was ultimately somewhat below prior forecasts, with San Jacinto Peak receiving about 9-10 inches overnight (rather than the 12-16 anticipated). If there are Road Closed signs further down as was often the case last winter especially at weekends and holiday periods after fresh snowfall then those nine spaces are also unavailable for legal parking. The Ernie Maxwell Trail is clear of snow. Some hikers will find spikes are useful at least for descending. However the route is now well-traveled and compacted. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. San Gorgonio Peak via Vivian Creek Trail Quick Facts: Elevation: 11,503 feet. Hikers should be prepared for temperatures below freezing in the high country, and generally far freezing when considering wind chill effects. This trail has had limited hiker traffic since November 2018, largely because Dark Canyon Road has only been open for a few months since February 2019. A rapidly warming montane climate, with changes especially striking at high elevation, is exacerbating all of these issues. 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 eighteenth storm, due this evening, is an unusual atmospheric river combined with very cold air again, expected to produce heavy snowfall for 24th-25th February. Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin and patchy icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Three periods of cold, cloudy days are now expected over the next ten days, but little if any precipitation.]. The USFS gate at Humber Park remains closed. For closure information, please visit our official PCT closures page. Potentially stormy weather forecast for four periods in the past ten days all failed to significantly impact the San Jacinto mountains. Spikes are not needed yet, but that will change soon with increasing compaction and freeze/thaw cycles. Devils Slide Trail has a relatively well-traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. Group size limited to 12 people and 8 pack/riding animals per group. In addition to snowshoes, and as conditions change, spikes are strongly recommended for the foreseeable future everywhere above about 6000ft. All trails above about 6500 ft remain lightly (or above 9000 ft, moderately) snow-covered. 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. Trails down to 4000 ft elevation currently have shallow snow cover. Long Valley (8600 ft) looks to have added about 12 inches since last night. San Gorgonio Mountain (5.8km) Lake Peak (6.7km) Jepson Peak (7.3km) Charlton Peak (7.3km) . SNOW DEPTHS measured on 11th January 2023 are as follows. Currently trails above about 7500 ft (lower in places) are largely obscured by moderate to deep snow. Snow cover is continuous from there, with a posthole track to Tahquitz Peak. The high country may be above the cloud for some of that storm, as only 2-3 inches are forecast for the high country. Note that temperatures fluctuating either side of freezing are forecast for both mid and upper elevations for the foreseeable future. Expect crowding. Note however that snow depth is rarely indicative of the challenge (or otherwise) of a given trail. UPDATE Tuesday 10th January: Another minor and relatively warm storm is passing through our mountains today. 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). Another 10+ inches are forecast overnight, which is very possible given current conditions. DM, The correction has been changed. Skyline Trail is now largely clear, but has very limited patchy, thin, icy snow above about 7200 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). 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). Spikes are especially valuable for descending even when they are no necessarily needed for ascending. The first on Sunday 11th-Monday 12th may initially produce up to 1.5 inch of rain at the elevation of Idyllwild, transitioning to 2-4 inches of snow on Sunday night into Monday, while 10-12 inches of snow are forecast for the high country. We surveyed the PCT where it crosses Highway 74 (approx. Temperatures may be mild enough to produce rain at mid elevations, for example totaling less than 0.25 inch in Idyllwild, while snow accumulation above 10,000 ft elevation is currently forecast to be a dusting, perhaps few inches at most. Since then Idyllwild had a very light dusting (<0.25 inch) of snow on Friday 20th, but the high country was above the cloud and unaffected. He had taken ice climbing equipment he'd been given for Christmas, but had never used it before, authorities said. Current air temperature at San Jacinto Peak is 17.8F (-8C) with a windchill of -5.6F (-21C) and a steady SW wind sustained at 19 mph gusting to 30.2 mph. Spikes could potentially be used to ascend to the highest peaks at this time, although crampons are certainly safer for traversing (e.g., see photo below). Thanks. Weather near Middle Fork Jumpoff Last report from Apple Valley, CA 26.7km away Temperature: 18C / 64F Wind: . For example, San Jacinto Peak received about 9 inches of fresh powder (on top of about 2-4 patchy inches of icy snow remaining from November) on Sunday 11th, with an additional inch falling on Monday 12th. Take a look here . Skyline Trail has a good track to follow through very thin icy snow above 7000 ft (the Traverse to Grubbs Notch). Above Little Round Valley in particular my track down from the Peak is very direct, steep, and would be a challenging ascent. Note that data for the high country are dramatically different from those for Idyllwild, and generally sadly lacking, other than meteorological records for Long Valley (8600 ft elevation) since the 1960s. Steady melting is expected with warming temperatures this week, especially at mid elevations and on sun-exposed slopes. 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. Spikes at least, but preferably crampons, plus an ice axe (and thorough knowledge of how to use it) are currently required for traversing these slopes. The freeze level is currently at about 7500 ft and it has been periodically snowing gently above that elevation, with Long Valley (8600 ft) having added a few inches overnight, for a current total depth of about 24 inches. This makes for less than perfect snowshoeing conditions, but still preferable to postholing. Thank you so much for your support. In fact on my hike to San Jacinto Peak on Monday 13th through steady morning snow I could barely tell the difference in snow depths from the previous week, as the few inches of fresh snow had almost exactly replaced the few inches of depth that had melted over the previous week. Devils Slide Trail has a well traveled and compacted track to Saddle Junction in place already. 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. Ali Aminian, 51, of Newbury Park was an experienced Sierra Club member who went hiking alone in the same area Jan. 11, while Koh was still missing. That said, a moderate snow storm is forecast for Sunday 29th to Monday 30th January, with up to six inches of snow forecast above about 5000 ft, possibly up to 12 inches above 10,000 ft, and a freeze level down to 4000 ft. At San Jacinto Peak (10,810ft/3295m) on Monday 23rd January 2023 at 1010 the air temperature was 11.1F (-11C), with a windchill temperature of -16.2F (-26C), 47% relative humidity, and a bitter NNE wind sustained at 20 mph gusting to 27.7 mph.