New to SoCal hiking, and looking for a good winter route

[mitchellisdumb]

Hey y'all,

A buddy and I are looking for a good route to try this winter between academic quarters, probably right around New Years, and Mt. San Jacinto looks like a top contender. I've been having trouble digging up some info though, and I'm hoping someone can give some input.

First, we need a route. I've seen that the most popular is to take the tram and summit from there, which looks to be a two-day, one-night affair. What would it look like to hike in the whole way? We could do up to a four-day trek.

Second, we need to make sure we're prepared with the right gear. It looks like, at that time of year, we should expect snow. Will we need to look into crampons and ice axes, or snowshoes, or both? What sort of temperatures should we expect? From what I've researched so far, I think we'll be fine in 20º down bags, but I'd like to confirm that with someone who knows the terrain.

Thanks for the help, this looks like a great board you guys have going on here!

[KathyW]

If you're looking to do your first overnight winter trip, the trek from the Tram to the Summit is a good choice.

You'll have to wait until the week of your trip to get an idea of how much snow and what temperatures to expect, but plan on packing some of those chemical warmers (hand, toe, body) if you are going to pack 20 degree bags. Also, you have to remember that cold comes up from the ground; so you will need either a winter rated sleeping pad or an extra foam pad to use with a warm weather sleeping pad.

You'll be able to set up camp in Round or Tamarack Valley and wander up to the summit of San Jacinto from camp.

It's 11 miles or less depending on the route you take and only about 2400' elevation gain. If there is enough fresh snow, snowshoes will be needed. Hiking poles with snow baskets are helpful too. If it is icy, some type of traction device on your feet will help - some folks use crampons and others use those microspikes, but your snowshoes will work if they have good crampons on them. It's not very steep; so generally you won't be worried about needing an ice axe to self-arrest.

Don't forget to guy your tent down good because you don't want it to take flight with or without you in it on a windy winter night. You'll probably be boiling snow for water; so make sure you pack your stove.

Have fun! There's nothing better than spending a night in the backcountry.

[zippetydude]

The trail is completely obscured when the snow is deep, so an xc route gets to be the trail after some regulars make the trek. That cuts the distance down to less than 3 miles, but it is a bit steeper. Kathy is right, it's a great choice for first timers - especially since the tram lets you start and finish in the snow. If you started from Palm Springs, you'd go from 80 degrees to snow, so it wouldn't necessarily make it more fun but it would add a lot of work to the planning. Hope it goes well.

z

[mitchellisdumb]

The trail is completely obscured when the snow is deep, so an xc route gets to be the trail after some regulars make the trek. That cuts the distance down to less than 3 miles, but it is a bit steeper. Kathy is right, it's a great choice for first timers - especially since the tram lets you start and finish in the snow. If you started from Palm Springs, you'd go from 80 degrees to snow, so it wouldn't necessarily make it more fun but it would add a lot of work to the planning. Hope it goes well.

Thanks. So the other option for a starting point would be Palm Springs? Just for kicks, how long does that usually take, and is there water available on that trail? I'd like to do something a little more strenuous, and I think we can handle it—both of us do have experience winter camping, and plenty of experience on long mountain treks, just not both at the same time.

[neverwashasbeen]

Another option would be to start on the Idyllwild side. If you start in Palm Springs you'd be on the Skyline route, see Cactus to Clouds Hiking Guide at top of the page for more information, ie no water etc. Due to current trail closures and weather conditions to be determined, it's hard to suggest a particular route, but many of us think they are all good.

[KathyW]

Conditions vary greatly from winter to winter and from week to week in the winter; so it's really hard to tell you what conditions will be like. There might be a lot of snow or just a minimal amount of icy snow. In the winter, you need to prepared to boil snow for water, but sometimes you will find water available.

My favorite winter overnighter in Southern California is San Gorgonio via the north side. You may need snowshoes, axe, and crampons depending on conditions. The route is really gentle until the top part of the chutes on the north face and then it can gets a bit steeper and might be icy. You can camp at Dry Lake (rather cold there), or if you travel more directly toward the north face from South Fork Meadows and camp in the gentle area before you get to the chutes on the North Face at about 9200'. If there is enough snow to cover the bushes, the trek can be as short as 13 or 14 miles round-trip with about 4700' elevation gain. If snow conditions are not good and you find it is better to stick to the trail, the mileage can be significantly longer but the elevation gain remains the same. There is a good chance you can pick up the water you will need for the night at South Fork Meadows, but you have to worry about the water freezing overnight. Just make sure you pack a stove and fuel.

Here's a couple of photo albums with maps reflecting routes taken in the winter:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/California ... -215-21613

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/California ... -via-South

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/California ... onio-41011

San Gorgonio can also be done as a day trip in the winter depending on conditions and how strong you are. There are also other great options on the north side of San Gorgonio such as Jepson Peak and Charlton Peak.

Another great winter climb in Southern California is Mount San Antonio (Baldy) via the Bowl if there is enough snow. It's easily done as a day climb and really enjoyable eventhough it can be crowded on the weekends.

[o0WildTurkey0o]

The most commonly asked question by first timers or soon after is about crampons or snow shoes. I grew up in the area and have been up San Jacinto many times and all three saints during the winter. We had some snow up on the mtn a couple of weeks ago, I got up in tennis shoes. It was icy, but the sun was warm.

If there is a base layer of snow that is a couple of weeks old, expect crampons or at least micro spikes. I have climbed Jean peak in the middle of a blizzard with a hard layer of snow pack on the ground in tennis shoes, so its not THAT steep.

Prepare for wind when you summit. The steep and final push is where the conditions can change dramatically from Round Valley. The final push is steep, if there is ice, I would suggest crampons and axe (I regret doing it in shoes, its NOT safe.... but doable). I have climbed up the east side with snow shoes in a foot of snow, its not enjoyable and if you dont have much traversing experience with snow shoes, I wouldnt wear them at all the final push to the top.

The wind will make things very cold, I usually bring a hammock, a therma-rest and even a secondary foam sleeping pad. That setup I used on whitney in November and I was fine, even lasted out a blizzard on Gorgonio in a lightweight fully enclosed Hammock.

If you have a chance, get some experience sleeping in snow and read up on forums. During storms they shut down the tram and you can get stranded in the ranger bathroom at long valley (it has a heater and they leave it open for such situations).

Personally, carrying a full pack in the snow up the west side (no matter what trail) is not as enjoyable and more time consuming then taking the tram.

I will be heading up there a couple of times this winter and will let you know how it all goes.