I'm going to be in the area for work next week, but am arriving early to try to climb the peaks mentioned in the title between Sun Apr 17 and Wed Apr 21. I'd like to avoid the trams, so I'm planning on the following dayhikes:

Jacinto via Humber Park/Devil's Slide or the Marion Mountain Trail

Gorgonio via South Fork

Baldy via Bear Canyon/Baldy Village (although I'm doing this third and may use the lift)

I was hoping for some insight from you native SoCal'ers. First, I am packing ice axe/crampons, but don't have snowshoes. Is this going to be much of a problem? Also, is ascent via Marion Mtn or Humber Park a better idea with current conditions?

I've checked the relevant discussion boards regarding current conditions, but if anyone has any recent info I'd appreciate that too.

Thanks!

I did San Jacinto from Marion Mt. recently and found no use for snow shoes. Crampons was needed in places. A GPS might be helpful too as I lost the trail past the first junction

This time of the year, you normally don't need snowshoes. You might have a few spots on Gorgonio but I wouldn't haul up that weight.

Thanks! Appreciate the info.

I was up San G Sunday. I can confirm there's no need for snowshoes. We did get a little new snow Monday, but I don't think it'll change things much. South Fork is a long trail and I'd expect about 90% snow travel, that may make it hard to bag the summit. Vivian trail may be more realistic.

I was at Baldy on Saturday and went up via the Baldy Bowl. Snowline was around ~8K or so and really good in the morning. There was another 6-8" of new snow dropped Sunday night so I would venture to guess that conditions would be fairly good.

Bear Canyon is really a "bear". Depending on what you're looking to do, I recommend the Baldy Bowl route for a good snow route that is a good workout but not quite as severe.

Have fun!

So, to the hut is pretty much clear? I'm looking to run up to the hut and back for some exercise but definitely don't want to bring crampons.

Luciano136 wrote:So, to the hut is pretty much clear? I'm looking to run up to the hut and back for some exercise but definitely don't want to bring crampons.

No crampons necessary until the hut on Monday, I'd bet that the snow is even less now.

Went up Deer Springs trail to Suicide this afternoon, snow cover starts at about 7.500' on San Jacinto. Crampons, ice axe will be needed, trail will be snow-covered by the time one gets to 8,500 or so.

That's correct. I didn't hit really any snow until right at the hut. I believe I crossed 5-6 patches of snow below the hut on the trail however they were small sections.

Thanks again for the conditions update and advice, everyone.

I thought the Vivian Creek route would be very steep and icy, so I hadn't really considered that, but the shorter/steeper route does appeal to me.

I had also discounted the Baldy Bowl, thinking rockfall would be a problem, but I'd prefer that route. Might just get an early start.

Just be sure and get an early start if you are going up the bowl. Every time I have seen rockfall it has been after around 9AM

WoundedKnee wrote:Thanks again for the conditions update and advice, everyone.

I thought the Vivian Creek route would be very steep and icy, so I hadn't really considered that, but the shorter/steeper route does appeal to me.

I had also discounted the Baldy Bowl, thinking rockfall would be a problem, but I'd prefer that route. Might just get an early start.

Vivian Creek is steep for the first mile but then it's relatively mellow. Since it's mostly south facing, it melts out a lot faster. Nonetheless, any day trip up Gorgonio is a bear of a hike.

A combo I like on Baldy, is going up the Bowl and then down the backbone and take the skilift down. It makes you see two sides of the mountain and saves your knees a bit on the downhill. The bowl does get rockfall but it's a huge wide open slope, so you can usually see it coming.

Looks like the weather is going to be shaky Monday through Wednesday. Shouldn’t be bad enough to abort, but not the sunny and bright you’d hope for this time of year.

Vivian: There’s very little snow on the trail below Vivian Creek (7000’). After that it was about 98% snow travel as of (4-10).

Baldy: The baldy bowl and the devils backbone are a must do. I did it on New Years Eve, before there was much of a snowpack and there was some rock fall. Maybe a half dozen rocks whizzed past us. It probably has a better snowpack now and it shouldn’t be as much of a problem. Don’t forget to bring $20 for a bite to eat and a ride down.

Adventure Pass: SoCal National Forests require an Adventure Pass to park. If you have an National Parks Annual pass that will work, just leave it on the dash. Adventure passes cost 5$ and are purchased from local businesses that usually don’t open until 10. The fine for the first violation is $5, after that I’m not sure?

TacoDelRio wrote:Oh yeah, don't eat at the Notch. Eat at Baldy Lodge.

+1 The Notch sucks.