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[pct-l] Fw: San Jacinto conditions



More beta on San Jacinto snow conditions:

Here's another bit of technical info on the pct condx around San Jac:
Post Holing did ocurr in some snow patches that were ~1 - 1.5' deep.
However, it was <5% of the time on snow; slightly more in the afternoon.
The PCT along the Fuller Ridge trail north down from the Deer Springs
trail intersection looked untracked, so the snow on the that trail would
be deeper. Gaitors would have been nice, but I didn't get much snow down
into the boot (hightop) without them. A hiker used day hike type trail
shoes (lowtop) and her feet got wet and cold. Hiking poles (luxury)
would have been nice in some spots.

> A friend just got back from a day hike up San Jacinto via the Marion Mtn
> Trail. I thought the list might be interested in trail conditions up there
> and am reposting his report with his permission.
>
> -AsABat
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John"
> Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2002 10:01 AM
> Subject: Re: San Jacinto
>
> The only trailheads on the west side of San Jacinto that were accessible
by
> car on Saturday were the Deer Springs Trail (off route 243) and the Marion
> Mtn. trail (off Marion Mtn. rd.) The Black Mtn road leading the Fuller
Ridge
> trailhead was gated due to 'winter condx.', as was the Dark Canyon road,
> leading to the Seven Pines trailhead. We opted for the shorter route, the
> Marion Mtn. trail (5.25 mi.). Within the first mile, we encountered snow
> patches on the trail. Apparently it snowed in this area 6 days before. The
> entire west slope had quite a bit of snow, especially under the trees, but
> on the trail it was well compacted. It was a bit slippery in places with a
> thin layer of slush overlying harder snow/ice. Mountaineer boots
> (waterproof) with a medium-stiff lug sole would be optimum footwear for
> these condx. On the exposed slopes the snow had melted and the trail condx
> were good, especially the 1.3 mi. from Little Round Valley to the top.
> Little round valley had a reasonable amount of snow, but it was compacted
> and easily traversed. The wx during the whole day was sunny and warm, ~65+
> deg. On top, there was only the faintest breeze and it was warm. Two high
> performance sail planes were soaring the San Jacinto ridge and buzzing the
> peak at high speed within 100' of the top. I was amazed they were able to
> stay aloft in such tranquil condx, but I guess they were able to work a
> combination of slope lift and thermals. They were quite loud as they
passed
> overhead and we could easily see the faces of the pilots. It was very hazy
> below ~7000' and quite clear above. We could clearly see Baldy, San G and
> Cuyamaca. Took a
> medium speed descent and got to the car a little after sunset (with
> headlite!!). BILL, the snow is melting very fast in the warm conditions,
and
> with no new wx systems, the snow we encountered on this trail should be
75%
> gone in one week. We talked to other hikers that came up from the tram and
> up from Humber Park and Saddle Junction. They encountered about the same
> condx as we did.


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