Current Conditions

[brian90620]

Hi everyone my name is Brian and Im new to this fourm, but post fairly often on the San Gabriel board. Well anyways, I was wondering if anyone knows what the current snow conditions are like from the tram up to San Jacinto Peak. My gf and I are strongly considering taking a snow camping trip up there this weekend, and were just trying to figure out what to bring; snowshoes, crampons or both . I plan to take the crampons for sure, but are the snowshoes still necessary? Is the snow up there still deep enough to warrant carrying the snowshoes? I don't mind taking them if we will actually use them, I just dont want to ride up the tram and then realize there is not enough snow and have to carry them along for nothing

[lilbitmo]

Brain, read this blog http://sangabrielmnts.myfreeforum.org/about1161.html

You will need snow shoes, the crampons will only be needed at or near the top of the approaches to the saddle between Miller and San Jacinto.

The temperatures have been fairly warm, with two to three feet of snow in some places you will post hole most of the time without snow shoes.

I was there snow camping last week - Thursday and Friday.

Have fun and enjoy.

lilbitmo

[brian90620]

Thanks lilbitmo for your help, now I know I will definitily be bringing along snowshoes

[Sleighty]

I just got back from a quick overnighter up to Tamarack Valley from the tram, and the snowshoes were definitely necessary. The first part of the trail is very Icy, as is Miller Saddle (in parts), but mostly it is soft, deep snow, and it is quite wonderful for snowshoeing right now. Obviously not new fresh stuff, but the wind actually helped, by blowing a nice layer on top of all of the hardpack. Have fun, and definitely bring the snowshoes.