Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Mount San Jacinto and/or San Gorgonio Suggestions

Hi all,

I might have the opportunity for a couple of free days in Southern Cal in the first/second week of April and was
contemplating attempting Mount San Jacinto and/or San Gorgonio.

I have a couple of questions I was hoping our collective knowledge here could answer:

1. I expect there to be snow; at what elevation range should I expect snow? (basically so I can better plan on overall duration/time for climb)
I'm planning on bringing all my gear - axe, crampons, poles, etc.

2. I've seen several routes for each. Are there any preferred routes for each at that time of year? (assuming I could do each one in a day climb)
and associated gain and round trip mileage for each?

3. Avalanche risk comments on the above "recommended" routes?
(ie, slope angle on routes, face exposure direction, etc)

4. Are there any access restrictions - either for permits required, parking, road closings, snow blocking trailheads, etc?

Any other thoughts or suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks in advance!

Rob

The weather is quite variable in the spring, but you can expect snow on at least half the route in April. San Gorgonio is expecting heavy snow this week, increasing the odds of snow on more than half the route.
I've hiked San Gorgonio via Vivian Creek and it is usually fairly easy to follow tracks in the snow. The South Fork trails are less heavily traveled in winter and will require more navigation skills. The Vivian Creek trail is around 16 miles round trip with about 6,000 feet elevation gain, at least the summer route is. Many switchbacks are cut in the snow so the distance is probably a good bit shorter. Permits are required for day hikes and overninghts. You can get them from the Mill Creek Ranger Station, but they are closed on Monday and Tuesday. Arrange permits in advance if you don't want to stop at the ranger station, all the forms are available at www.sgwa.org. Free. You'll need a National Forest Adventure Pass to park your car at any trailhead. Get one at the ranger station or from most local businesses, $5/day or about $30/year.
The Vivian Creek Trail is certainly doable as a day trip, but it's not easy. You'll want to be in very good shape and get an early start.
Good luck and have fun!

I have done both mountains many times---
San Jacinto is a great hike from the south, from Humber Park trailhead. If going that route, you can overnight in Little Round Valley. However, at this time of year, I would assume they have a lot of snow on the trail. You may want to call a Ranger station and ask what it looks like right now.
This is a beautiful Alpine-like hike.

San Gorgonio is a very different hike from San Jacinto. Much more exposed terrain, and I don't think it's as picturesque as San Jacinto. You can go from the South, Vivian Creek, but expect a lot of snow right now. I don't know how much will stay around in the next 2-3 weeks, though. Again, call the ranger station up there and see.
I've also gone from the North trailheads, I think it was called Fish Creek. You hike up a narrow canyon to Dry Lake, and then can summit from there.


Both mountains have website forums, too. They will probably have much more up to date info.

http://www.mtsanjacinto.info/

http://members.boardhost.com/sgva/

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. I'll check out these sites and see if I can get a hold of a Ranger for some updated color.

San Gorgonio: As it looks now, expect snow from at or near the trailhead. The snow melts off faster on the Vivian Creek Trail.

The North side of San Gorgonio is a nicer climb in the snow than via Vivian Creek. You will likely go more directly to the summit this time of year than you will once the snow melts off.

Here's info on the route starting at the South Fork Trailhead:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/California-...821475176_mRwE3

Unless you want to go over to Dry Lake and check it out, just take the direct route from South Fork Meadows shown on the map in that album. Via the South Fork/North Face Chutes, the route is about 13 or 14 miles with 4600' gain.

Here's some info on the Vivian Creek Route:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/California-...840372013_hbNj3

The winter route (locals sometimes call it the Mountaineer's Route) starting on the Vivian Creek is a little more than 13 miles with 5500' elevation gain.

You will want to bring your axe/crampons/poles, and you might need snowshoes. Usually, you can get away with leaving the snowshoes home this time of year if you start early in the morning, but with the recent snow that might not be the case this year. This time of year, you can usually just get a self-issue permit at the Mill Creek Ranger Station - the permits are outside when they are closed. If you want to order one in advance, here's the info: http://sgwa.org/permit.htm

I tend to do San Jacinto from the tram and that's a pretty easy snow hike with wonderful views - it's just 6 miles round trip with 2600' elevation gain when you go direct through Tamarack Valley to Miller Saddle and up from there. You can typically follow a beaten path to the summit. You can just get a permit at the ranger station in Long Valley when you head up there. Going this way allows you plenty of time to have a beer at the bar at the upper tram station before heading home.

Kathy, those are great photos, thank for the links! One question regarding access: can a regular 2wd rental car make it to the trailheads or will snow impede access to certain trailheads to either peak?

San Gorgonio: Hwy 38 sometimes requires chains - check Caltrans for that. The roads off 38 to the trailheads and the parking lots at the trailheads are cleared pretty quick, but sometimes it takes an extra day or two after a big storm.

San Jacinto: They don't always plow the Humber Park parking area when it snows that low; so you might need to park down the road if you go that way after a storm.

It's going to be warm this coming week - that will clear up the road problems.

To answer some questions...

1. It depends where want to start. If you are heading up the north slopes of San G, expect snow coverage at the South Fork Trailhead but you must likely will not need any tools until you leave the trail at South Fork Meadow, 4 miles in.

Same holds true for San Jac. If you start from Mountain Station, there will be a trail cut to the peak through the Sid Davis Drainage. You might axe and crampons and/or/or snowshoes and trekking poles.

2. I like the north slopes of San G. You have options, through the trees, one of the chutes or if it looks to dangerous you can wander over to Charlton Peak and go up one of the ridges.

3. There are risks right now with new snow. A few week ago, there huge slabs on the slopes of Jepson Peak adjacent to San G. With some consolidation the risk will get lower.

4. If it snowing there will be chain restrictions on Rt. 38. The road is plowed to the trailhead parking lot, also part of the lot is plowed. Both San G and San Jac have permit requirements. Since it is winter quotes are rarely reached, especially outside of weekends.

The routes I mentioned have no exposure issues.

Hiked up to Tamarack via the tram for an overnight Sierra Club WBC Snow Camp last weekend. Unless snow falls, there is no need for snow shoes, although you may want microspikes in some areas. There is about 4ft LESS snow this year than last year at this time, and plenty of ground showing. Winds were a bit rough, over 60 mph and frigid temps.

I prefer Humber Park if you want a steady trail and super workout. If you want your butt kicked (nearly 1000ft/mile gain), try summiting from the Marion Trailhead, which takes you through BEAUTIFUL Little Round Valley on your way to the summit. All in all San J is a favorite of mine over San Gorgonio.

San Bernardino is actually more beautiful of a climb. If you have time on your hands, you can hike from San Bernardino to San Gorgino, called "9 Peaks," in 27 miles. There are some great camping areas on the ridge.

Have fun.

I live in riverside County and there were definitely strong storms off and on all week, so I'd bet on there being new snow up there!!

Here's the webcam for Long Valley: http://www.pstramway.com/long-valley-cam.html

and here's one that shows the San Gorgonio Wilderness area from near Big Bear:

http://www.bensweather.com/webcams/cam_2.jpg

I think these last storms dropped a lot more snow in the San Gabriels than in the San Bernardinos or San Jacintos, but I haven't been up in the mountains yet to find out. It'll be interesting to hear the reports from people who head out into the snow this weekend.

It's interesting to hear what everyone likes best. The San Bernardino Peak area is beautiful in the winter. Limber Pines is a nice destination along the way. It's also really nice to take go from Humber Park up to the junction and then out to Tahquitz Ridge - a really pretty area with snow.

I would differ with this opinion. I was up yesterday and everyone, other than few tourists, had snowshoes on all day.

Microspikes would have worked on beaten in trails but not on any climb...certainly not to San Jacinto.

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts here. You've all been helpful and since I am not familiar with these areas, all your suggestions have been appreciated. I have two weeks until for my trip, so I know conditions will change by then (for better or worse).

I am planning on getting there one day early to help acclimatize and do some recon in the area to locate trailheads, and stock up on provisions, etc...

I have a couple of more questions:

San Jacinto - it appears as starting this from the Tram is the most popular way with the Humbar Park TH as the second most
popular way (with more gain and mileage-16mi and 4500ft, correct?) Humbar sounds like the way I'd like to try, though that seems ambitious in the snow for a dayhike? With that said, I am willing to be out for 14hrs if that's what it would take roundtrip. How would road conditions be getting to the Humbar trailhead generally? Are there any "gates" that need to be open which perhaps don't open until later, preventing an earlier start (5-6AM)? Are there any other suggestions/comments on this route from Humbar Park?

On the Tram (shorter route) the first Tram is 8AM on a Sat (I imagine I won't be alone on a Sat morning) - will this late start cause any issues climbing up to the summit? Will there be hoards of people doing this as well?

Thanks for the update Bill, I am planning on bringing all my snow stuff (snowshoes, crampons, axe, poles) just to be prepared for whatever I might find. You also brought a good point about alternatives backup plans, (Charlton Peak, maybe San Bernadino). Any other nice alternative climb suggestions would be welcome.

Have not done it via Humbar Park, so will let others respond.

As for the Tram route which I've done many times - the Saturday 8AM tram is a good one, for it will typically contain maybe 20 other hikers who have similar plans for the day. This can make it easier for you to find the most popular "winter" route. This route is direct - about 3 miles from tram to summit, so even if you dawdle, it's likely you'll be back by 2PM. I've not found San Jacinto particularly crowded in winter, although it is pretty busy right around the tram. But, the non-hikers tend to stay within 1/4 mile of the tram.

The 8AM tram does seem late to us hiker types, but ... the tram doesn't make too much $$ from the hiker crowd compared to the tourists, so we have to make the best of it.

Picture of recent avalanche off Jepson, just short of South Fork Meadows, in 2005. The snow contained in the path and on the sides (the walls were about 10 feet high, and a real struggle to get over), was as hard as the hardest concrete, and impossible to get a bootstep into.

Thanks Ken.

I know we are two weeks away and conditions will change, but of the routes on both peaks, how would those routes be ranked in terms of possible avalanche risk? (in particular the Humber park TH/Devils Slide route on San Jacinto Peak).

Another thought about the Tram...Do a three bagger. Go towards Wellmans Divide angle up the ridge to Jean Peak, then to San Jacinto, down another ridge to Miller Peak down its slope to Tamarack Valley and out via the Sid Davis Drainage.

You get your ~4,500' of climb, 3 peaks all in less than 10 hours.

Conditions will dictate everything. The lower part of Sid Davis and Long Valley is starting to show dirt in areas. If it warm the next couple of weeks, who knows how must snow there will be around.

This sounds like it could be an interesting combination - I am assuming you're starting at the top of the Tram? One basic question - does the Sid Davis Drainage bring you back to the Tram where you start, so you should plan on taking this back down?

I did this a few weeks back, very doable. To answer the following question, yes Sid Davis drainage will return you to the tram just a tad SE of the standard route. There should be a good track in. Snowcover is everything for that route.