The storm this past Sunday night into Monday gave us the closest snow we have had this season. There was snow on Cauhilla Mtn (5500') but none on Little Cauhilla Mtn. (5000'). Close, but so far. But the snow was heavy on Mt. San Jacinto, San Gorgorino, the San Bernardino Mtns & the San Gabriels. Lots & lots of beautiful snow.
As to rain, yeah we got some. This is a La Nina year, where So. Calif. has colder then usual temps (yep, that has happened) and less rain (nope, that has not happened yet). So far in Oct. Nov. & Dec. I've measured about 14.5 inches. We had a freak heavy rain in mid October to start the season. Then unusual rains in November, then December really cut loose. During the "Pineapple Express" sequence of rain, we got 8.5 inches in 6 days. This was not a record, but close. Back during an El Nino year in the 90's we got 9 inches in 4 days. However, we did get a new record for 24 hours--4 inches from noon Tuesday to noon Wed. beating out the old record of 2.5 inches in 24 hours.
Yeah, lots of wonderful rain to soak the ground and recharge the wells.
Now, if only we can get some snow at my place!
This was our big Feb. 1987 snow. On the left is Snubbers (Ryegate Nubinette) and on the left is Robbie (Heathermoor Rob Rita). Snubbers was 3 at the time and Robbie was 4.
It wasn't warm, but the sun was out. So I invited the cats out into the yard (I open the door, call "Cats Outside!" and get out of the way.). This is Summer Clouds, aka Mr. Dominant, also aka The Big Guy.
Notice the collection of stuff starting to accumulate on him as he rolls.
And more stuff. A lot of the leaf debris did make it into the house.
This is at the south end of State St. San Jacinto Mtns. to right.
This area used to be all farms. Here is what is left now.
Almost in Hemet now.
In Hemet, driving east on Stetson Ave, looking at Mt. San Jacinto
On Sage Rd., looking north.
Still on Sage Rd., still heading north.
Yep, Sage Rd. north again.
Out of St. John's Grade, on the lower part of Sage Rd. This is where I get my hay & feed. Now called Diamond Valley Market, it is better known to us old-timers by its original name, Big Pete's.
I took these this morning, driving down to Hemet from home. This top photo was taken on Red Mtn. Rd. looking west. The flat mesa, below the skyline mesa is where the Nature Conservancy has a preserve. Lake Skinner is to the right. The road on the right hand side is more of Red Mtn. Rd.
This one was taken a bit further down Red Mtn Rd. The mountain way off to the west is part of the Santa Ana Mountains, know as Saddleback. I grew up in Orange County, on the other side of those mountains.
Another view from Red Mtn. Rd, looking north west.
Now on Sage Rd, a view north to the San Gorgonio Mtns., nearly 12,000 feet tall and snow capped.
