Tram to Summit on 5/18 - Snowshoes or No?

[Topper]

San Jac Pros:

Need to make the call on snowshoes, so any feedback is much appreciated. Rent em or no?

Please advise.....

Best,

Topper

[Gregory]

Hello Topper-

I did Cactus to Clouds yesterday (Sunday) and did not see anyone using snow shoes the entire day. A few people had crampons or minispikes, but they were not necessary. Between Long Valley and the peak I would estimate that approx 50% of the route is still covered by snow. Post holing was not a problem. The nice thing about the trail to the peak is that there is not a lot of exposure (as opposed to, say, Mt. Baldy) so even if you slip you are not going to plunge down a precipice.

All of what I have said assumes no further snow, but it looks like we're heading for some unusual weather. There is a 90% chance of snow on the 18th, with wind gusts predicted to be up to 60 mph. Unless you are an experienced winter hiker who feels comfortable navigating in adverse weather, the 18th might not be a good day to attempt the peak.

Below I have pasted in the forecast from NOAA for the next two days. At the bottom, I've provided the URL for the NOAA website so you can monitor the changing weather.

Tuesday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 40. Windy, with a west wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after 11pm. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Windy, with a west wind between 30 and 35 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday: Snow, mainly before 11am. High near 33. Windy, with a west wind between 30 and 40 mph, with gusts as high as 60 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

NOAA website for Mt. San Jacinto:
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... tType=text

[Topper]

Thanks a ton Gregory.......

Luckily, I have my date wrong in the above post, we're going up on Thursday the 19th, which looks like will not pack nearly the punch that the 18th will. However, the potential for needing snowshoes appears fairly good.

I'll be monitoring the NOAA link and checking here for hike reports.

Cheers,

Topper

[GoPlayer]

....
Luckily, I have my date wrong in the above post, we're going up on Thursday the 19th, which looks like will not pack nearly the punch that the 18th will. However, the potential for needing snowshoes appears fairly good.
....

Please report back if you go. I have some friends come out for the hike from AZ this Saturday.

[Topper]

GoPlayer,

I'll report out on Thursday evening or Friday morning.

Topper

[Ellen]

Howdy Topper

I may be at the tram station tomorrow (Wed) -- will post regarding conditions.

Thursday looks to be a fairly calm day. The downside is that the first tram up is not until 10 AM

Miles of smiles,
Elllen

[Topper]

Hi Ellen:

Agreed, the 10am tram time injects a certain sense of urgency into the hike in that it allows less time for trail finding in the fresh snow, which is exactly what sabatoged us on our failed attempt last year. Mother Nature has her ways of making sure one is worthy of the peak doesn't she? Gawd love her......

Look forward to your feedback tomorrow!

Toppers

[Mtnsummit]

Have a good group slated to go up this Saturday May 21st. Any trail condition updates appreciated! Cannot believe this weather this late in the season! Hoping snow will not create problems below tram area? Also hoping not to have to bring any crampons/snow shoes?

[Ellen]

Howdy MtnSummit

Great screen name Currently planning to do Skyline to the tram tomorrow. I'll post a trip report afterwards.

Last year around this same time, I was snowed on from the Never Ending Ridge to the tram. Other folks followed my tracks. The snow melted off very quickly.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[Mtnsummit]

Sounds good Ellen - looking forward to the report!