Idyllwild to Tram April 25th

[hawkbill666]

Hello again all, Seattle Scott here, an infrequent yet enthusiastic hiker of Mt. San Jacinto,

A bunch of family members want to do the Idyllwild to Tram hike on April 25th. My obvious questions are:
1) What are the chances we'll be able to make it to the tram on April 25th - no snow??
2) Anywhere I can check on forecasted Tram closures?

Thanks!

Scott

[guest]

Well, I'd imagine you know about the Tram cam, on their website. Granted, that's the high point of your route, but it's showing a good foot, 20 degrees w wind, and more coming.
I'm assuming your going the easier route, through Willow creek, (Laws / Skunk cabbage direction), instead of north all the way up to Wellman's Divide, (9,700ft.)?

Of course lots can happen between now and the end of April, but it seems like we're getting a wave of storms now, and the mtns. will get much needed snow pack.
SanJacJon.com is an excellent source, as he goes up from the Idyllwild side at least weekly, usually to the summit, and posts detailed reports on conditions, (and even what equipment would be best).
Nice thing about the "south side" route, which climbs up to just west of Hidden Lake, (about a mile from the tram), is it's south facing, and will melt quicker. But, I've heard it's gotten quite overgrown after the fire many years ago, which could make it somewhat painful to get through, and could also help hold the snow longer. Maybe the state park of Forest Service has done some work on it.

Hopefully someone on here has gone through the Willow creek route to or from the tram and Saddle Jct. and knows the trails condition.
I'm assuming you'll climb up Devils Slide from Humber park, (above Idyllwild), as it's the most direct and shortest way to Saddle Jct. and beyond? This trail, like most up there, can have icy patches / stretches that may have some exposure, so I'd suggest micro-spikes and poles, if there still happen to be any snow even left by then.

I've been on both sides on the mtn. in spring, and it ranges from dry to a couple feet up higher, to post-holing, slush, ice, (even a late snow storm at the end of April, which is rare). But the route I mentioned should melt quicker than the higher country above 8k. ft. The tram rarely closes escept for their annual maint. every Sept., unless they get very high winds or have a mechanical issue, (which they usually can get fixed w/in hrs.). Enjoy your trek, it's a magical area. scott2