SierraDescents | Category | Current Conditions
March 4, 2024
Waterman Update
As far as I can tell this past storm put rain on the Waterman Crest and not much else, but there is still a great deal of snow up there from the big February storm. Maybe an (more)
February 12, 2024
Highway 2 Update
Not Fast is my guess as to when the 2 will open. Here's a look at the Angeles Crest Highway about a mile and a half east of Islip Saddle, just absolutely buried in snow. Dave (more)
February 11, 2024
Islip From Crystal Lake
I assume you don't need me to tell you, but there is a lot of snow out there right now. Yesterday Dave Braun and I drove up to Crystal Lake for a low-expectations scouting (more)
February 6, 2024
Is the ARkstorm Coming?
Following this latest atmospheric river/bomb-cyclone storm cycle, and SoCal's record-setting rainfall totals, I have a new appreciation for what the Army Corps of Engineers (more)
June 3, 2023
Whitney Zone: Beware Collapsing Snowpack
Just absolutely treacherous conditions on the lower Mountaineer's Route right snow—beware collapsing snowpack in the north fork drainage below Lower Boy Scout Lake. Our (more)
March 22, 2023
Too Much Snow?
Well the good news is we'll be skiing through summer—if we care to. Mammoth Mountain likely already has enough snow to carry them to November. I wonder what they'll (more)
February 22, 2023
High Variance Equals High Risk
Forecast models are calling for the possibility of snow as low as 1000 feet above sea level virtually state-wide, and NWS Los Angeles has issued a (not quite) unprecedented (more)
February 6, 2023
Report From Tinemaha
Here's Tinemaha's east face driving up the 395 today. Looks pretty inviting to me, but two of my friends tried to ski it on Saturday, and conditions according to them were (more)
January 5, 2023
Happy New Year!
The weather pipeline continues for California, bringing some truly spectacular storms this past week. Mammoth is currently reporting a 158" base at McCoy Station—with much (more)
December 26, 2022
Mammoth Christmas
Following an unseasonably warm and dry Christmas weekend, we have an impressive storm on the way. Expect at least modest snowfall in the SoCal mountains, and heavy snow and rain (more)
November 13, 2022
November Snow
Thanks to a very intense November storm, I am happy to report we have snowy mountains on our horizon. Portions of the San Gabriels saw some six to eight inches of water last (more)
March 23, 2022
Kratka Ridge
Here is the base of lost SoCal ski area Kratka Ridge (a.k.a. Snowcrest) as seen yesterday off Highway 2 in the San Gabriel Mountains. Yes, there is still a bit of snow up there, (more)
December 19, 2021
Waterman & Highway 2
I would like to wholeheartedly endorse the Waterman-Buckhorn-Highway 2 area as Southern California's best go-to and introductory backcountry skiing zone—but I can't. The (more)
December 15, 2021
December Snow
As increasingly seems to be the case, snow levels stayed relatively high over the past 48 hours. Mount Baldy says 2-3 inches of snow at the parking lot (elevation 6400'); 14" at (more)
December 13, 2021
It’s Coming
Our mostly bare mountains are about to get the insta-winter treatment. Big Pacific Storm coming—forecast calls for up to four feet of snow at the highest SoCal (more)
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