Conditions on N Face of San Jacinto in November?

[spoutdoors]

Hi folks,

I am traveling to Palm Springs for a conference in early November. I'm interested in getting out and checking out San Jacinto Peak while I'm there.

I have been interested in doing the Snow Creek route for a number of years, but I am guessing that early November is going to be just about the worst time of year to do it, as the snowpack will probably be near minimal but perhaps with some fresh snow over the rocks, and maybe some alpine ice underneath. Is my thinking accurate here? I don't spend enough time in desert mountains to have a good sense for the interplay between desert climate and high elevation as it plays out in snowpack and ice formation.

If my thinking seems accurate, is there another trail that would give a good view of the N face so I can scope it out for a later attempt (with more appropriate seasonal conditions)? I don't see any trails on the north side on the state park's maps.

Thanks!

[Hikin_Jim]

It varies greatly by year, but Snow Creek in early Nov will most likely be 100% dry, no ice, no snow. There are some years where we get some substantial snow in October, but those are rare. Some years, we don't get any appreciable snow until late December. You'd just have to watch weather reports.

So, you are aware that the mouth of the canyon is owned by the Desert Water Authority (DWA), yes? And that they do NOT permit passage by anyone. You might not want to attempt to trespass. They've been really aggressive in recent years. They have paramilitary guards (I kid you not), and they've slapped people with legal injunctions and all kinds of fun stuff.

Not much in the way of trails on the north side other than the PCT, but you can check out conditions from the Interstate 10 corridor. The N face of the peak is pretty wide open to view.

HJ

[Ulysses]

You could take the PCT from Snow Creek to Fuller Ridge and Fuller Ridge to the peak. There is a recent thread on this board by "Eric" or "Erik" with a nice trip report.

[spoutdoors]

thanks for the info! I have heard about the DWA issue. From what I read I thought there was another way to access it that was longer but legal. I appreciate the warning though - sounds serious.

@Ulysses: I will check out the PCT. Where is the start point you mention near Snow Creek? That's not related to the DWA issue is it?

When would you say is the best time of year for the Snow Creek route if you want alpine ice/neve? Or is it pretty much always just snow before it melts out, without enough freeze/thaw to transform?

Thanks!!

[Hikin_Jim]

It is possible to bypass the DWA land by bushwhacking and doing some serious route-finding. I haven't tried it, but by all accounts, it's pretty arduous.

The PCT starts in the small hamlet of Snow Creek. I haven't hiked that section of the PCT, but I keep reading about parking conflicts with the locals there. Maybe someone who has parked over there can comment?

Deep snow and ice last well into spring. Is it névé? Sometimes. Sometimes it's slush. Sometimes it's what I would call glacé (hard, smooth ice from a thaw and re-freeze). The conditions are really variable. It can be 5F one day and 55F the next. Welcome to a desert range in Southern California.

That said, I'm a hiker not a mountaineer, and my knowledge is limited in terms of what you're asking. Maybe some of the guys who have done Snow Creek will comment.

Last comment: April and May seem pretty popular...

HJ

[bluerail]

if there hasnt been any snow its fine. if there has been any snow above 9000, even slight amounts that would possibly have melted off at the peak, there is a great chance there is ice in the chute, as most any area in there barely gets 90 mins of sun each day.

the DWA bypass is fine and will add another 1-2 hours to your approach. once in the chute, doing it without snow forces you to find a bypass at the big water fall above the chockstone. it's a short section of class 5, and some exposed 4.

youve probably come across this :http://socalhikes.com/2010/08/snow-creek-to-san-jacinto/


- s

[Hikin_Jim]

Thanks, Blue.

Bluerail is "the man" on that route.

HJ

[bluerail]

i wouldnt say that at all Jim.

[Hikin_Jim]

Well, in that case, listen to me and not him, but every thing I know is from Bluerail, so ...

HJ

[spoutdoors]

Hmmm, good point about snow up high melting and forming ice down in the chute.

Thanks for the info! Very much appreciated.