4/30/18 - Not so Final after all

Sunday brought snow from about 2,000 feet up with an estimated 8-12" on the higher summits.  Most of this will melt this week as temperatures Wednesday and Thursday will be in the 70s, and then 60s through the weekend.  However, there will still be skiable snow past Marcy Dam, although any unbridged brook crossings could be a problem - specifically Marcy Brook at Indian Falls. Certainly long past the time to trust any lake ice.  So let's get in some May skiing - if only just for the record books.

This past week finally saw some warm temperatures and rain, so it's beginning to to look a bit more like spring in the High Peaks.  Any skiing is now pretty much limited to the terrain past Marcy Dam.  Some snow on the approaches via the truck trail or the hiking trail, but expect to walk some of the way as well.  Unbridged brook crossings on the Marcy trail were fine as of mid-week and are probably still crossable, but that could change at any moment. Hiking trail approach to the Wright Peak Ski Trail probably no longer skiable even though the rest of the trail is still skiable.

Still a lot of ice on the north sides of lower peaks, and skis or snowshoes continue to be required on any of the higher peaks. The calendar may say we've had a month of spring, but don't count on that this year.

While we didn't get much snow Friday night, the sun did come out to make for a great weekend to enjoy all the snow that's still around.  This week will be warmer - especially Monday - so some of the approaches to the High Peaks will be developing bare spots.   Nevertheless, beyond Marcy Dam there will still be full cover.  Rain starting on Wednesday and continuing at least to Friday, but the coming weekend looks good for weather with Sunday being better than Saturday.  

Photo of the summit of Sawteeth on Saturday in case anyone needs "proof" that the snow will be with us for a while:
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Update Friday. 4/20:  Report that there is still 45" of snow at Lake Colden.  Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is still crossable, but stay well clear of any inlets or outlets - especially the outlet to Avalanche Lake.  With these conditions, skis or snowshoes continue to be required for any travel in the High Peaks.

Or maybe it's the spring that won't start.  Anyway, despite a few rain showers in the past week, there has been very little melting, so what was there last weekend will be there this weekend.  Furthermore, the prediction is for another 3-5" of snow on Friday night before the sun actually comes out for a full day (what a concept!) on Saturday and Sunday.  Still temperatures will remain below normal for this time of year and even into next week, so we will probably have yet another good weekend for skiing on the weekend of April 28-29.  Nevertheless, "ski it while you can" this weekend, because next weekend's weather could be terrible compared to the predictions for this weekend.

Specifically, good cover remains on the approaches to Marcy Dam, and Marcy is definitely still skiable as is Wright Peak.  Expect the occasional bare spot, but after all this is late April.  For those looking for a lesser challenge the Marcy, the Jackrabbit Trail from Rock and River in Keene and from Whiteface Inn Rd. in Lake Placid remain fully skiable.  Going all the way through to Saranac Lake may be a bit thin unless we do indeed get the 3-5" as predicted in all areas.  

The other truck trails, Newcomb Lake, Boreas Road, and Raquette Falls will also remain skiable with the caveat that there might be the occasional bare spot or downed tree from the recent high winds.  In any event, get out there and "ski, ski, ski" just like Jackrabbit Johannsen advised because who knows whether there will be any skiing next winter.  If there is, we'll report on it here, but in the meantime consider donating to BETA at www.betatrails.org to help keep us around for another season. 

Winter isn't over - at least in this part of the world.  After a totally yucky weekend of weather, we did gan an inch or so of new snow.  So, anywhere that held a base is now pretty good skiing.   The skiing is fast due to some ice content, but as of Sunday there is a surface into which one can set an edge.  Maybe after any cold night it will be a bit icy, but daytime temperatures this coming week should get above freezing.  Other wise, the week's weather appears to be mostly cloudy with daytime highs only just approaching 40 in the peaks, so very little melting of the good snow we still have.  Saturday finally appears to be a day when we will again see the sun, so plan to make the most of it.

ONE CAUTION:  The combination of recent high winds and some icing this weekend has brought down a number of trees.  It is unlikely at this late date in the season that we will do any clearing of the Jackrabbit Trail or any other ski trail, since most of the downed trees are now encased in frozen crust.  Come out next fall to help us clear these away for the next ski season.  And if you are still finding these reports useful and haven't contributed to BETA, log on to www.betatrails.org and click on "Get involved" to make an online donation.  Of course we still accept contributions the old way, by check, to:  P.O. Box 843, Lake Placid, NY  12942   

UPDATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON 4/6

 Definitely no more that an inch of new snow in the Lake Placid area, so low-level trails are still marginal, but above 3,000 feet there is 4-5" of now snow.  Marcy was surprisingly skiable today with just a thin approach to Marcy Dam and a few obstacles to avoid up to 5-Meter bridge.  Ski trail to Indian Falls in great shape with no apparent snowshoer or postholes damage.  These conditions will continue into next week, and there is definitely a base that will last much longer.

The warm weather in the first part of the week ended with high winds on Wednesday, followed by temperatures only slightly above freezing even in the afternoon.  The cold temperatures will continue through and into next week, so little or no softening of the hard surfaces.  So nothing on the Jackrabbit Trail or in the backcountry is recommended for skiing this weekend, but there should still be good cover if it warms up by next weekend.  

There is, however, the possibility of some new snow tonight.  Some forecasts call for several inches, but the National Weather Service says "less than an inch."  If it actually does make skiing possible by snowing more than that, we'll post that tomorrow.  Meanwhile, Mt. Van Hoevenberg continues to groom with 35 km open.  Likely their last weekend.

Saturday will be cold and windy - especially on any exposed summits, so be prepared for full winter conditions on any High Peaks hike.   

April is here, and it looks like a week of typical spring conditions - hard and fast in the morning before softening up in the afternoon.  Mt. Van Hoevenberg will still be doing come limited groomingWednesday through Sunday as here is still good cover on most of their trails.  The other groomed centers have closed for the season.  

Old Mt. Road and most of the McKenzie section (thin in from McKenzie Pond Rd.) of the Jackrabbit Trail remain skiable, but wait until it softens up before skiing any of the hills.   

Still full cover on all High Peaks trails, but any steep hills will be more suited to traction devices that to even metal-edged skis.  Skis or snowshoes will continue to be required for all backcountry travel in the High Peaks for at least another two weeks.  

Weather this week will remain mostly cooler than average.  Low 40s on Tuesday, then rain and temps 35-40 on Wednesday.  Thursday will be clear but cold, barely getting above freezing.  Friday and Saturday will see more light precipitation, and we'll finally see the sun on Sunday.  So, very little melting of snow this week.  Next update on Thursday or Friday when the weekend weather picture is clearer.

UPDATE 3/22/18

     Not much change from the 3/16 report.  Temperatures have mostly remained below freezing with just a bit of thawing on south-facing slopes.  We will now be warming up during the day, but still with cold nights, so expect hard and fast conditions in the AM and softer conditions in the PM.  Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Cascade will probably end their seasons of grooming on Sunday, 4/1; but there will still be plenty of snow on those trails for a week or so afterwards.

     There is now a chance of some snow flurries associated with the big nor'easter battering the East Coast, but definitely nothing more than that, and daytime temperatures will be into the 40s next week.

     It's been another "up and down" season to report on.  If you have appreciated these reports, please consider a donation to BETA - contact info available elsewhere on this site.  As the spring thaw progresses, we will not be updating as often as we did during the winter season, but you "die-hards" probably know pretty much what to expect on a day-to-day basis

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 

• Great week for skiing!  Every area received at least 8", with 12-15" common.  There is enough new snow that the DEC has issued avalanche warnings, but these only apply to the slides and not to any of the popular touring routes.  Despite the signs still present at the top of Avalanches Pass, that slide has never slid is 20 years, and now there are several lines of trees that have grown in to further prevent any possibility of an avalanche.  Back to more mid-winter temperatures for the weekend, but no deep freeze like we had in early January.  
• Best news is that the forecast for the coming week indicates continued cold temperatures and maybe a bit of additional snow.  So next weekend should be just as good!
• 
  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS​ ​

Base depth:  12-24"

•  Surface Conditions:  powder
•  Km Open - 50
•  Remarks -  All sections skiable with most , if not all, broken out.
• 
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS         
• Snow depth at Lake Colden: 58"
• Snow depth at 4,000 feet 6-8 feet 
• Hiking trail from Adirondak Loj now very skiable.
• Avalanche Pass also in good condition.
• Marcy and Wright Peak also finally now in good condition. 
  • • All of the  truck trail skis (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, etc.) are of course now fully skiable
    • Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but  inlets or outlets will still require attention.
    • Whiteface Highway - Still being plowed
    • Keene Valley/Garden Parking - Again skiable.
    • Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake: Now perfect conditions with no snowmobile traffic likely.  A nice new skied in separate ski track for over a mile.  If you like it, extend it.
    • ___________________________________________________________________
    • • X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
      • •      Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:  
        •     50km of trails, open daily, rentals, lessons, 518-523-2811, www.whiteface.com/activities/cross-country-skiing 
                        Base Depth (packed) - 10-12" 
        •               Off track snow depth - 10-20"
                        Inches New Snow - 2
                        Surface Conditions - Packed powder
                        Km Open - 50
                       Km Tracked 50
        •               Remarks - Lake Placid Loppet on Saturday, so limited recreational skiing.  Cascade the best bet that day.  All open on Sunday and all next week.
        •      Cascade X-C Ski Center:
        •     20 km of trails with connection to 50km at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, open daily, rentals, lessons, restaurant, bar.  518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com
                        Base Depth(packed) - 4-6" 
        •               Off track snow depth - 6-10"
                        Inches New Snow - 2
                        Surface Conditions - Packed powder 
                        Km Open - 20
                        Km Tracked - 15
                        Remarks - Best choice on Saturday, Loppet Day.  Great choice any day.
        • Paul Smith's VIC: www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==
      •            30 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, 
                               Base Depth (packed) - 15"
      •                        Off track snow depth:  25"
                                Inches New Snow: 5
                               Surface Conditions - Packed powder  
                               Km Open - 30
                               Km Tracked - 
                               
      •                Dewey Mountain - Saranac  Lake​
      •             13 km of trails, open daily (including nights until 7PM Tue. - Fri.), rentals, 891-2697         http://www.deweymountain.com
                                Base Depth (packed) - 8"
                                Inches New Snow - 2
                                Surface conditions - powder 
                                Km Open -13
      •                         Km Tracked 
                                Remarks -  
        
                         Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
                    All trails open and groomed 
                     http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
      
      
      • ​

Brief update as the storm winds down, but with probably a few more inches on Thursday and possibly Friday.  Temperatures will drop Friday night.  Saturday and Sunday will be sunny with daytime temps in the high teens.

We exceeded expectations, and now have 8-10-12 inches of  new snow on top of what we got last week.  The snow fell at temperatures near freezing, so it is a bit dense and heavy for "powder", but still a fine medium for skiing.  With this additional snow, it is safe to say that all popular ski routes are now fully skiable - and that includes Marcy and Wright. We'll try to post updates on at least sections of the Jackrabbit Trail that have been broken out.  For now, we can say that the Old Mountain Road section between Mountain Lane near Lake Placid and Keene has been tracked.  McKenzie Pass between Whiteface Inn Rd and McKenzie Pond Rd is also tracked as of Wednesday night.  Shorter sections of the Jackrabbit are likely still untracked.  

In the High Peaks, Wright Peak ski trail has been skied.  The approach from from Adirondack Loj is well-tracked by skiers and snowshoers.  We broke trail from Marcy Dam over Whales Tail ski trail Wednesday afternoon through knee-deep snow.  There was a big blowdown at the height of land on Whales Tail but it is easily passed through the trees.  Some of this will be cleared ASAP, but some is now too buried with snow and will have to wait.  

If you're headed out in the backcountry, plan ahead and give yourself extra travel time, especially if you think you might be breaking trail. Keep in mind that all this new snow fell on a severely diminished base.  Prior to this storm many trails were ice or bare ground.  Streams were largely melted out with minimal ice.  Even now with 16+ inches of new snow in the backcountry, many stream beds are still open with running water.  Many small stream crossings have unstable ice, making it easy to break through...so carry a scraper!  

For those looking for groomed skiing this weekend, be aware that on Saturday the Lake Placid Loppet will keep much of Mount Van Hoevenberg closed to recreational skiing; but next door Cascade will have about 20 km available to take up the slack.

More on Friday, 3/16, as we know more about the weekend weather (so far maybe just a bit cooler), and whats been broken out.

We are again watching a coastal storm starting Monday night and continuing through Tuesday night with additional mountain snow possible on Wednesday.  As with any coastal storm, the eventual outcome could range widely, but so far it appears that we will get 6-10" of additional snow.  Even with just the lower amount, we will be back to better than we have been all season.  All the gentler backcountry routes and the Jackrabbit Trail are already in good shape, and the new snow will bring Marcy and Wright Peak up to their best condition of the season.

There will be some cooling off after the storm so that Friday and Saturday (partly sunny) will only be in the mid-20s (pretty close to seasonal normals), while Sunday will again warm into the mid 30s under mostly sunny skies.  Looks like a truly great weekend in store!

Jackrabbit Trail skiers - please see our action alert below regarding the future management of the Old Mountain Road, following last week's seminal decision by the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court. Future management of the road will be determined by the towns of North Elba and Keene. Your voice is important. Please get involved and speak up.

CLICK HERE TO READ AN IMPORTANT ACTION ALERT FOR THE OLD MOUNTAIN ROAD SECTION OF THE JACKRABBIT SKI TRAIL