Snow/ice on South Ridge trail

[Mark C]

Hi everyone. I was planning on taking my wife's family up South Ridge trail this week. Is the trail icy near the top? If so then we will probably do Deer Springs to Suicide rock. None of us have crampons. Any advice is appreciated!

[Ulysses]

Idyllwild got about 2 inches of snow last Friday (12/11). On Sunday night it rained and sleeted for several hours just before a high pressure moved in and the temperatures dropped making for some icy conditions. I haven't been up Deep Springs since about a week ago but I suspect the trail would be very icy in places. I would be concerned about the road conditions going up to the South Ridge trailhead. Lots of ice on Fern Valley Road going up toward Humber Park yesterday afternoon. Hopefully we'll get some warmer weather soon.

[Mark C]

Thanks so much for the info! Looks like we will be doing Deer Springs today then. Hopefully the trail isn't too slippery. I did South Ridge once in the ice and that was scary on the switchbacks near the top. Hopefully I get some microspikes for Christmas