Snow and ice in SoCal

imported
#1

In seasons past, have people encountered significant slick ice on the trail, or traverses of steep, snow-covered slopes in the southern California mountains?

I’m aware of Mt. Baden Powell and don’t consider that a risk, having easily climbed it in early May in the snow several times already without any equipment. Are there other segments that tend to have snow and ice on them and are difficult traverse?

Just wondering if an ice axe / traction device is warranted anywhere before KM.

Thank you.

RickD

#2

I’d hate to hit the catwalks on Mt San Jacinto in any snow or ice. There were a few patches up there in late April '04, not on trail, but it would have scared me if there were. I agree with you on Baden Powell, it was a real pussycat when I went over it in mid-May.

Garlic

#3

I hit lots of snow in '05 in April. '05 was the heaviest snowpack in SoCal history. (1st time ever the Summit cabin on San Jacinto was burried) This was also the year PCT thru-hiker John Donovon died after getting lost above Idyllwild on the Trail.

Route finding can be as big an issue as sketchy traverses. The plateau above Devil’s Slide trail where Donovon got lost (Taquitz Valley, etc.) is fairly large, with lots of trees and very few safe routes down. In mid April of '05, this area was completely snowbound all the way through Fuller Ridge to Black Mountain. I carried an ice axe through that section, but never used it. (meaning I didn’t fall on the sketchy traverses - I was glad I had it)

Also, from Mission Creek Camp (PCT mile 239) all the way to Deer Spring (mile 255.9) was buried. I found it easier to bushwack the actual Crest rather than the dangerous sidehill where the trail was supposed to be.

Finally, a few miles before Wrigtwood & about 15 miles of Trail around Baden-Powell were buried. The Angeles Crest HWY below Baden-Powell had snow drifts over 20 feet high!

I started ‘early’ (April 8th) in '05 on this crazy snow year, so I doubt you snow conditions anywhere near as heavy this year.

I don’t think you would need an ice axe on an average year. If you hit an area that is too icy (normally early morning, but I didn’t run into this problem in '05), just wait until the sun softens the snow.

Have a great hike!

freebird

#4

While high and low snow years have bearing, i think the understated factor is simply how many hikers will be breaking trail in front of you. You could go early in a high snow year, and if there are 50 hikers in front of you, the tracks will be so entrenched that nobody would need an ice axe. But the first 10-20 people through might need one. The same goes for the High Sierra.

Also, if you go without an axe, just try to time your San Jacinto experience with the sun. If you head up Devil’s Slide in mid-morning and keep moving, you can likely get past all the snow during the afternoon hours when the snow is soft and easy.

markv