Climbing San Jacinto in December

[socalclimber28]

What are conditions like in december? What are some necessary items i should bring for this december month?

[Norris]

Hi, you'll need to wait and see how much snow there is by the time you do the trip. Given all the precipitation we have already had in October this year, there could be enough snow by then to require winter gear, maybe even snowshoes.

[socalclimber28]

Would crampons and an ice axe be necessary?

[NormaR]

Would crampons and an ice axe be necessary?

Be ready for anything. Watch the weather and the TR's daily. Last December 19th four us us did San J. The recent snow had had a chance to melt/freeze already. I brought snowshoes, crampons and axe. I didn't use the 'shoes. My friends brought microspikes and snowshoes. About 30 mins into the hike when i slipped twice in my boots i put on my 'pons and my friends were already wearing their 'spikes. At some point the snow became too icy for the 'spikes so they put on the snowshoes since they gripped better on the way up. On the way down from the summit where it was steep their snowshoes wouldn't grip well and they were wishing they had 'pons/axe so we took it slow in the steep. (btw... my avatar is from that day.) The next day was Baldy from the Village where there is a lot of steep and exposure. That was a 'pon/axe day.

Fresh deep snow = 'shoes
Not so fresh = 'spikes and 'pons/axe
All conditions require good judgement. I'm just describing San J from the tram. Not any other routes.