Conditions to peak

[bengator]

Did the traverse from Marion Mountain Trail to the tram and back. Trail on the west side to the peak is virtually snow free. From the tram to the peak there is one pack of snow in the middle of the peak trail where I had to pay attention to stay on trail. Brought my microspikes and didnt use them once. Lots of summitters from the tram. Can't believe its the third week of April and access was so easy. Good for hiking, bad for our resovoirs.

[towbradley]

I went up from humber park to taqajuitz(SORRY ABOUT THE SPELLING) PEAK, AND THE WHOLE HIKE WAS VIRTUALLY CLEAR OF SNOW EXCEPT THE LAST QUARTER MILE UP. WAS VERY SURPRISED AS TO THE LACK OF SNOW. I THINK ITS GOING TO BE A DRY HOT SUMMER. WASNT ABLE TO MAKE IT ALL THE WAY UP, NO CRAMPONS AND HAD A NEW TRAIL WALKER WITH ME. But the day was spectacular and cant wait to go up again.

[Sally]

Thanks for the update, guys!

Hey towbradley, I'm glad to hear you really got up there last weekend. Yep, there's a section right before Tahquitz Peak that retains snow longer into spring than the rest of the trail. Hope to see you in the Store again soon.

[Mario+Mila]

are there any streams still running in the round valley area for a water source?

[bengator]

are there any streams still running in the round valley area for a water source?

Plenty of water.

[andthewalrus]

I'm planning on hiking Humber Park to San Jacinto Peak on Saturday. First trip to the San Jacinto area. I spend most of my time in the San Gabes (and the lurking on the San Gabriel Mountain forum for that matter).

So here's what I gather from this and the Tahquitz loop thread about current conditions:

No snow from Humber to saddle junction. From there to the peak, there are patches of snow in shady areas (maybe starting around Wellman Cienega) that should be manageable with poles, micro spikes at the worst. Ice axe and crampons seem like complete overkill as long as we don't try to tag Tahquitz.

Does that sound pretty accurate to people that have been there recently?

[bengator]

Of course it is up to you, but I will be back this weekend and running many of the same trails. I wont be bringing my spikes this time, just a pole.

[andthewalrus]

thanks for the tips!

[andthewalrus]

We hiked from Humber Park to the peak yesterday. Loved the hike! We had the trail almost to ourselves most of the way (until the junction with the tram trail anyway). The weather was very mild - would have been comfortable in shorts and t-shirt the whole way.

There were some patches of snow near Wellmans divide and again about a mile and a half from the peak, but very manageable with trail runners and hiking poles. You could also walk around most of them if you wanted too. Plenty of water still flowing in Wellmans Cienega. A lot of people were headed to the peak from the tram, and there were a couple of state park rangers at the junction mostly making sure everyone had plenty of water.

We made it back to the trailhead just before sunset in time to see a helicopter rescue off of Lily Rock just above the parking lot. Stranded hiker maybe?

Sorry for the lack of pics - we seem to have dropped the camera somewhere, so if anyone happens to find a Sony Cybershot...

[DUG]

Headed up to Humbler in the morning. Wasn't sure if I would go for the peak or stay lower and hike over to the tram station. Looks like I'll head to the peak since you report good conditions.

I'll keep an eye out for your camera.

DUG