Pacific Crest Trail Southern California Snowpack Map

Pacific Crest Trail Southern California Snowpack Map (click to enlarge)

Despite it’s reputation Southern California is not all beaches and deserts. After a heavy winter northbound thru hikers can sometimes expect to encounter snow in the mountains of SoCal as late as May or June.

This elevation map shows the areas on the Southern California Pacific Crest Trail above 5,500 ft where you might encounter heavy snowpack in the Spring following a big winter.

Note: 2010 is already stacking up to be a big snow year in Southern and Central California.

Hiking in Snow:

Here are some tips for how you can be prepared for deep snow on the trail:

• Buy an ice ax (Camp USA makes some nice lightweight ice axes) & lightweight traction aid (like Kahtoola microspikes or shoe screws) and bounce them or leave them with your resupply person. (Even if you wind up not using them in SoCal you almost certainly will in the Sierra.).

• Get a good set of Pacific Crest Trail maps and make sure you know how to use a map and compass (a GPS can be useful as well but it’s not necessary)

• Adjust your daily mileage expectations downward (it’s harder to slog through snow than well groomed dry trail)

• Pack some slightly warmer clothes (at least a knit cap, lightweight gloves, wool socks and some sort of torso insulation like a vest or poofy jacket). Water resistant nylon pants (like wind pants or rain pants) over long johns can help keep your legs warmer and gaiters can help keep the snow out of your shoes. Some people recommend waterproof socks like Sealskinz but I’ve never tried these.

• Don’t worry about it. Snow isn’t the end of the world. As long as you don’t get lost, slide off a cliff or freeze to death you will be fine. If you are prepared with traction aids, good maps and warm clothing (and common sense) none of these things will happen.