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Conditions 1/30/18

1/30/2018

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UPDATE - 2/1/18

Wednesday night we only ended up with a dusting of snow, so not much change from what was reported on Tuesday.  Mt. Van Hoevenberg is spreading their supply of man-made snow and now reports all of 2 km open.  Whatever is open, however, will be in use for the Empire State Games this weekend, so the Paul SmithsVIC is best alternative.  At the VIC, all trails are open, but skiing is recommended on only a few trails with "hard and fast" surfaces reported.  

Slightly above freezing today, but then colder over the weekend with a chance of snow showers.  A better chance for more snow early next week.  We can only hope.

TUESDAY 1/30
Unfortunately, there is nothing positive to report since the last update on the 27th. There is still an icy base in the wooded areas, but most open areas are mostly bare.  The only good news is that we haven't lost all of our base, but there is only a chance of snow showers any day through the weekend.  Wednesday night is the best chance for enough new snow to again make some of the gentler terrain skiable, but then it will be warm on Thursday before cooling off again for the weekend.  

Mt. Van Hoevenberg only reports 1 km open.  Cascade has 15 km open, but the surfaces are likely pretty firm and fast.  Likewise, the VIC in Paul Smiths has all their trails open, but warns that they ar hard packed and icy.

Pond skating is good on most ponds.  Aggressive traction needed for any ascents of a high peak as many trails are quite literally a frozen river of water ice.  Gentler terrain will be doable with microspikes, but some form of traction is recommended for any backcountry travel.  

​We'll do an update on Thursday with hopefully news of at least a few inches of snow falling Wednesday night. 
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Conditions 1/25/18

1/25/2018

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  • Update 1/27/18:  
  •        Definitely warm today, Saturday, but no significant rain and consequently no significant loss of snow in wooded areas.  Groomed centers report no significant changes from Thursday's report.  Also no significant change on the Jackrabbit Trail or in the backcountry except that the warm temperatures may have slowed the skiing down a bit.  That will continue for tomorrow before it cools down.  Then we'll just have to hope that the predicted snow showers turn into something more significant.  Absent that, doesn't look all that good for the week as it may be back up above freezing again by Thursday.  Stay tuned.
  • INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
  •     The good news about Tuesday's rain is that temperatures stayed in the low 40s, and with only a few hours of steady rain we didn't lose too much snow.  The bad news is that we received at most an inch of new snow afterwards, so for the most part it's "dust on crust" for surface conditions.  No new snow forecast for today or Friday, and warm again on Saturday with a renewed chance of rain.  Still above freezing on Sunday before we return to cooler temperatures on Monday with at least a chance of snow Monday and Tuesday.  
  •      ​Sunday's Pool Party will, of course, still be on, but we'll have to evaluate conditions for the various ski-ins planned.  If temperatures stay somewhat warm, the surfaces should be soft enough to be safe.  Stay tuned, but hope to see as many of you as possible at the Crowne Plaza from 3-6 on Sunday.
  •  
    • JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
      •               Base Depth - 3-6" 
      •               Surface Conditions - Crust with a dusting of powder
                             Km Open - 50 km - skiable, but steeper terrain not recommended.
  •                        Remarks -  Metal-edged skis might make the McKenzie Pass and Old Mt. Road sections safe to ski, but it will be very fast until it warms up on Saturday.

    • BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                    Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 24"
                    Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  4-5'  
                    Surface Conditions: Crust with a dusting.  No reports yet of what fell higher up.
              Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.  Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks past Marcy Dam, needed elsewhere.  Traction aids practically required for all backcountry hiking where there is a slope.    
      • Truck trail better than the hiking trail to Marcy Dam, but neither would be much fun.  Not recommended beyond Marcy Dam.  Wright Peak and Marcy not really skiable. 
      • Road to Newcomb Lake still has 10" of cover and is gentle enough to be safe and enjoyable.  Moose Pond also has enough cover, but steeper hills.  
      • Fish Pond, Whiteface Landing and Hays Brook truck trails all still skiable, but only Hayes Brook is recommended with perhaps a short walk on the few steep hills.   
      • Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake crossable, but that is probably of interest only to those hiking with traction. 
      • Whiteface Highway - no current report
      • Keene Valley/Garden Parking has about 6" of cover and not  skiable to JBL.
      • Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake was very skiable, but is now quite thin and the snowmobile traffic makes the road very hard and fast. 
      • Mr. Van Trail skiable from the Loj with Marcy Brook solidly frozen, but not really recommended.
      • ___________________________________________________________________
        • 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) - 4" 
          •               Off track snow depth - 6"
                          Inches New Snow - 1
                          Surface Conditions - Groomed powder and granular
                          Km Open - 50
                          Km Tracked - 20
          •               Remarks -  Tracks on flat terrain and biathlon side
          •      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" 
          •               Off track snow depth - 6"
                          Inches New Snow - 1
                          Surface Conditions -  Groomed powdered granular 
                          Km Open -15
                          Km Tracked - 10
                          Remarks - 
        •            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) - 5"
        •                        Off track snow depth:  7"
                                  Inches New Snow 2
                                 Surface Conditions - Groomed powder - firm 
                                 Km Open - 30
                                 Km Tracked -
                                 Remarks - All trails open with grooming in progress Thursday AM.   
        •                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) - 3-5"
                                  Inches New Snow - 
                                  Surface conditions - Crust
                                  Km Open -10
        •                         Km Tracked - Some old track remaining
                                  Remarks -  Upper trail not recommended

                           Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
                       10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
                       http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
        • Report says, "survived 3rd thaw". Most trails groomed but some thin and icy spots.
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Ski Conditions - 1/21/18

1/21/2018

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PictureBridge crossing on the way to McKenzie Pond, Jackrabbit Ski Trail. Jan 21, 2018
Quick Sunday morning update.  Very little change in snow cover or trail conditions over the past 5 days.  This weekend brought temps in the low to mid 30s and ski trails are now well-tracked, packed powder.  Great time to break out the wax-less skis!

No significant snow on the way, unfortunately.  Forecast calls for a mix of light snow and freezing rain tonight and through the day on Monday with little to no accumulation.  Tuesday we're looking at rain again with highs in the low 40s, then another cool down on Wednesday.  

We'll continue to post brief, location specific updates as we receive them today and tomorrow.  

The bridge on the Jackrabbit Ski Trail on the way to McKenzie Pond was checked again today at 1030am (see photo above). The bridge is now crossable on foot with caution. Be careful approaching the bridge on skis, best to take them off and walk down. After this photo was taken I spent some time chopping and breaking-up the ice sheets on and around the bridge to make it easier to walk across.  With the rain on Tuesday we should be able to clear the rest of the ice debris from the bridge deck and smooth out the approach in advance of the next snowfall.  Hopefully it will not flood again. We will continue to monitor conditions as often as possible.

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Ski Conditions 1/15/18

1/15/2018

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PictureBridge is under there somewhere. Jackrabbit Trail between McKenzie Pond Rd and McKenzie Pond. Jan 15 2018
Update 1/17/18:  Old Mt. Road section now fully skiable as the washout has been shoveled in and all the beaver ponds are solidly frozen.  In addition to Hayes Brook, Fish Pond Truck Trail is in great shape, but the ponds may now be slushy.  Otherwise, road to Ausable Lakes is thin but skiable with snowmobile traffic actually making skating possible.  Remote sensing for the Huntington Forest in Newcomb shows 15" there, so should be great skiing to Newcomb Lake and Moose Pond.  That report would also indicate skiable snow on Gulf Brook Road to the Boreas Ponds.

Today we'll be out checking conditions around the area.  This report will updated throughout the day.

3:00pm - a few more updates
Good ski tracks are established on most of the Jackrabbit Trail.  On the Lake Placid end of the Old Mountain Road section, a few ice climbers have bare-booted but mercifully stayed to the side of the trail and out of the ski tracks.  Above Whiteface Inn Lane the trail is well-traveled by skiers and snowshoers.  We spent some time today packing snow in the open drainages that are now frozen between the road and the lean-to.  A few remain open with running water,  so use caution on downhills.   

On the Saranac Lake side of McKenzie Pass, the trail remains impassable due to a flooded bridge between McKenzie Pond Rd and McKenzie Pond itself.  The water level has continued to rise since Saturday.  The span of open water and ice flow is now 50 feet from bank to bank, with no safe place to cross whatsoever.  The trail can still be skied as an out and back from the parking lot....quick but enjoyable, and you get to see the stream running 2-3 feet deep above the deck of the bridge.  Hopefully its still there when the water goes down!

At the Hayes Brook truck trail there is now a small 2-3 car parking area shoveled out at the intersection of Mountain Pond Rd and Rt. 30.  Thanks to Forest Ranger Pete Evans for the report and your efforts.   
​

9:00am - A few specific updates to share since yesterday's report.  
Skiers out in the High Peaks yesterday report a higher than average number of people on the trails without skis or snowshoes.  Mount Marcy was skied but can't be recommended for all, and certainly not for the faint of heart.  From Marcy Dam, the bottom section is still icy and rocky.  Middle section has decent snow and good skiing, but crossing the stream at Indian Falls is "sketchy".  Above treeline conditions are very icy and wind blow. 

Jackrabbit Ski Trail still impassable between McKenzie Pond Rd and the pond itself.  The first major bridge reached when traveling toward the pond is completely flooded still as of Sunday afternoon. Also, a report of flooding past the Placid Lean-to on the McKenzie Pass section.  As of Saturday, Old Mt. Rd. had one stream flowing across the trail about 3/4-mile up from Rock and River.  Beaver pond at two miles was also flooded, but a bypass was possible.  No reports so far on the many beaver ponds on the Lake Placid side of the pass, but all of the above may have frozen with last night's cold temperatures.  Again, look for updates later today or tomorrow.

Trail to Whiteface Landing from Connery Pond - Great powder conditions BUT flooded sections too. Several wet areas with running water and a couple iced over. More snow needed to cover the ice. Passable but take care crossing

​Reports from Paul Smiths/Fish Creek area are good.  Fish Pond truck trail and trails around Little Green Pond are in great shape.  Hayes Brook will be good as well but be advised that Mountain Pond Rd is not plowed from Rt. 30 to the parking area.  

Stay tuned for more updates... 

Weather will warm up slowly this week with perhaps some light snow to help cover up the icy sections left from the flooding.  Now predicted to his 30 by Saturday and 40 on Sunday with, you guessed it, again a chance of rain. 


Flooded bridge on Jackrabbit Ski Trail near McKenzie Pond Rd. Jan 14, 2018
Haystack from Mount Marcy. Little snow at elevation. Jan 14, 2018
Flooded stream above Indian Falls. Jan 14, 2018
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Ski Conditions - 1/14/18

1/14/2018

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PictureBridge on Jackrabbit Trail, between McKenzie Pond Rd and the spur trail to McKenzie Pond. Jan 13, 2018
  Mother Nature hit the reset button this weekend.  Heavy rain on Friday switched to freezing rain and then snow late in the evening as temperatures dropped from the 50s to single digits overnight.  When the skies cleared on Saturday afternoon we were left with ideal conditions for backcountry trail skiing.  Observations on the Jackrabbit Trail yesterday revealed about 6 inches of perfect powder snow, sitting on top of a thin layer of tiny freezing rain pellets and then a 1-2" inch crumbly crust, with unconsolidated sugar snow under the crust.  The crust easily supports the weight of a skier or snowshoer.  Total snowpack around 2500-3000 ft in the Lake Placid area seems to be 12-16".

If any hikers are reading this....we always discourage hiking without snowshoes in winter, BUT NOW WOULD BE A HATEFUL TIME TO POST HOLE.   

Skiing will be fantastic just about everywhere, but the heavy rain on Friday left previously frozen streams swollen with melt water and ice flows.  Skiers should expect to navigate around at least some open water on most trails. The ice on larger rivers like the West and East Branch of the Ausable broke up on Friday.  Most smaller streams and drainages are open with running water, but the cold temperatures should start to lock that up today.  In some areas water flooded onto trails and then partially refroze before being covered with the new snow.  Use extreme caution on ice crossings, especially near inlets and outlets.  

In other words, WET SPOTS ABOUND...DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT A METAL SCRAPER.

One very specific alert for the Jackrabbit Ski Trail - see photo at right.  When traveling toward McKenzie Pond from the parking area on McKenzie Pond Road, the first bridge reached (in the big dip) was flooded as of Saturday afternoon. Skiing on this section of trail cannot be recommended today.  Crossing the stream is not advised. 

National Weather Service forecast for the Lake Placid region here.  
Sunny and cold today with overnight lows reaching -22F.  Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be perfect for ski touring.  Temperatures in the teens and sunny all day.  More snow possible Tuesday and Wednesday.  

We will post another update on Monday afternoon.  

​IF YOU ARE OUT SKIING AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE OBSERVATIONS, PLEASE POST THEM IN THE COMMENTS BELOW.  THANK YOU!

Picture
Jackrabbit Ski Trail, McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area, Jan 13, 2018
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Jackrabbit Ski Trail - Access Bulletin

1/12/2018

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TRAIL ACCESS ALERT
Recently we received a complaint from a landowner about the unauthorized use of private lands along the Jackrabbit Ski Trail above Whiteface Inn Lane, Lake Placid.  

In response, Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA) offers the following reminder to backcountry skiers and snowshoers about use of private lands on the Jackrabbit Ski Trail (and any other trails crossing through private lands).

All trail users, please be advised:
First, some background info.  The main section of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail is a 25-mile marked route between Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and Keene.  Here, the trail is located on an interconnected network of state Forest Preserve lands, North Elba Parks District lands, and 20 privately-owned parcels.  

The classic “McKenzie Pass” route, between McKenzie Pond Rd and Whiteface Inn Lane, is one of the most popular backcountry ski tours in the Eastern High Peaks region of the Adirondack Park.  The trail on the Lake Placid side of the pass is also widely used by hikers in the summer and snowshoers in the winter as an alternate approach to McKenzie and Haystack Mountains (this route has become more popular due to the Saranac Lake 6ers hiking challenge).  

Public access to the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area via the Jackrabbit Trail from Whiteface Inn Lane in Lake Placid is only possible due to the cooperation of 2 private landowners who have generously allowed for the marking of the trail on their property.  However, the State of New York holds no license, easement or other legal right-of-way across private lands on the trail between the trailhead and the upper Forest Preserve boundary. 

A
ccess to the trail and Forest Preserve across this private land is a privilege, not a right.  


PLEASE REFER TO THIS MAP.
Picture
Beginning at Whiteface Inn Lane, the Whiteface Club owns the strip of land up to the DEC register (smaller parcel in yellow on map).  Past the register the trail is on state land for not quite 1/2 mile to another private boundary.  The next 1/2 mile of the Jackrabbit Trail is located on the corner of a 183-acre private inholding surrounded on 4 sides by Forest Preserve (large square parcel in yellow on map).   Beyond this inholding the trail is unbroken Forest Preserve until it reaches the BETA-owned easement on the last 0.5 mile of private land before McKenzie Pond Rd in Saranac Lake.

This 183-acre private inholding contains the summit of Mt. Colburn and a network of trails on the slopes below, mostly on the south side above and intersecting with the Jackrabbit.  The trails were built by the previous landowner in 2014.  These trails are private and were never intended for use by the public.  However that effort included improvements to the surface and drainage on the main Jackrabbit that have so far made skiing more enjoyable.  

As of the summer of 2016 this property is under new ownership.   Since then, BETA has worked continuously with the new landowner to ensure continued public access to the Jackrabbit Trail where it crosses this property.  A license agreement between BETA and the landowner is in place which permits public use of the Jackrabbit Trail through November 2018, with the following specific restrictions:

  • XC skiing, snowshoeing & hiking are permitted ONLY on the Jackrabbit Trail (red on map)
  • Use of the trails on Mt. Colburn to the north of the Jackrabbit Trail are PROHIBITED (intersections are shown as green dots on map)
  • Use of the historic side trail to Fallen Leaf Pond from the Jackrabbit and the pond itself is now PROHIBITED.  Both are on private property.  Skiers are not permitted to access the Fallen Leaf Trail (purple on map) from the Jackrabbit by crossing the pond or dam as in the past.  The state land starts shortly below the dam on the south side of the creek and the rest of the Fallen Leaf Trail down to Whiteface Inn Lane is on state land, so it can still be skied as an out-and-back route from the road.
  • Horses, dogs, bicycles and motor vehicles are PROHIBITED

BETA installed signage at all intersections with the Jackrabbit Trail in the fall of 2016.  The owner installed traditional private property signs and wire fencing around Fallen Leaf Pond, as well as several surveillance cameras.
Despite the clearly posted restrictions, some trail users are deciding to ignore the signage and over the past few weeks several parties have traveled off the Jackrabbit Trail in violation of the terms of BETA’s license for public access.  The owner considers this trespassing and has indicated that police will be notified if it continues.  BETA very much hopes it does not reach that point.  

The decision to ignore posted signs may seem inconsequential at the time (especially with a foot of fresh powder staring you down), but in the long-run it could very well lead to a termination of our license agreement and therefore the loss of legal public access to an extremely important and historic section of the Jackrabbit Trail.  You don’t want to be that person, do you?

The Jackrabbit as we know it would not exist without generosity of the private landowners who have allowed for the establishment of the trail on their property. Continued access depends upon maintaining good relations between BETA, trail users and landowners.  Therefore, we ask our members and other trail users to be "good guests" and help us maintain public access across these private lands for years to come.

​Please:
  • Stay on marked trails and comply with all signage
  • Respect landowner privacy
  • If you encounter a landowner or family members, greet them and thank them for hosting the trail on their property

Our organization has put forth considerable effort to preserve public access to the entire length of the Jackrabbit Ski Trail.  This means negotiating reasonable terms of access to private lands to create the connections necessary for a contiguous ski route between the communities.  Please help us ensure long-term public access to the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness from Lake Placid via the Jackrabbit (and all other sections of the trail) by following the rules and setting a good example for skiers that follow in your tracks.  

Thank you,
Josh Wilson, Executive Director
Barkeater Trails Alliance (BETA)


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Conditions - 1/12/18

1/12/2018

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Very brief update.  As of Friday morning it is raining heavily in the Lake Placid-Saranac Lake region, with temperatures in the low 50s.  Snowpack is dramatically diminished at lower elevations.  A flood watch is in place until 7am Saturday morning.  We will be out checking trailheads this afternoon before it starts to cool down again.  Rain will change to freezing rain early this evening and then to snow, with a low of 9F forecasted for Friday night.

Needless to say skiing cannot be recommended today.  

National Weather Service forecasts 2-4 inches of snow tonight and another 3-5 inches on Saturday.  This will surely help us recover but will not restore the fantastic skiing conditions we had earlier this week. 

The new snow may be exciting but skiers heading into the backcountry on Saturday and Sunday should expect to find variable trail conditions, especially where drainages and streams have flooded from the heavy rain.  Ice flows are likely in those locations.   Use extreme caution on all ice crossings, especially near stream inlets and outlets.  
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Conditions 1/11/18

1/11/2018

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As threatened, temperatures Thursday morning are in the low 40s with a few rain showers.  A bit warmer this afternoon, and then 100% chance of rain tonight.  Tomorrow it may hit 50 with more rain before cooling off starting Friday afternoon.  This will be followed by a mix of precipitation, which could include a fair amount of snow.  We'll just have to wait and see.  So far, it doesn't appear that we will lose a significant amount of the nice dense base that we accumulated during the cold spell, and the new snow should bring us back to where we were as of yesterday.  Next update?  Whenever we have a reliable forecast or report on how much snow at the end of this thaw.  
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Conditions 1/8/18

1/8/2018

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  • INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
  •     Warmer today, Monday, with temperatures in the 20s, but warmer still by Wednesday and unfortunately the possibility of rain exists Wednesday-Friday, followed by snow on Saturday and Sunday.  Doesn't look like much of either the rain or the snow, but surface conditions will be affected - exactly how remains to be seen.  Otherwise the few additional inches of dense, cold snow have improved surface conditions, but still not enough to say that we have true "mid-winter" conditions for the rougher backcountry trails.  Next update on Wednesday, 1/10 when we may have a better idea on the extent of the predicted thaw.  
    • JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
      •               Base Depth - 6-10" 
      •               Surface Conditions - Powder
                             Km Open - 50 km
  •                        Remarks -  Good news seems to be that the cold weather kept the "Christmas postholers" inside their condos.  Additionally, great thanks go out to the ice climbers who walked next to the beautiful skied-in track on the Old Mt. Road section starting in from the end of Mountain Lane.  If you encounter others who are also showing such consideration, be sure to let them know, on behalf of all skiers, that you appreciate their consideration.

    • BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                    Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 24"
                    Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  3-4'  
                    Surface Conditions: Powder
              Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.  Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks past Marcy Dam, needed elsewhere.  Some new, dense snow has improved conditions, but natural settling means no real change in overall snow depth.          
      • Truck trail still the recommended choice over the hiking trail to Marcy Dam, but hiking trail can be skied, starting on the Old Marcy Dam Trail.  Boulders below Avalanche Camp now mostly covered. Overall, good skiing if still a bit lumpy - especially the lower parts of the Avalanche Pass ski trial and between Avalanche Pass and Marcy Dam.  Trees on the Old Marcy Dam Trail and on the Avalanche Pass ski trail now cleared.
      • Wright Peak still needs more new snow for the hiking trail part of the approach to be really skiable.  Marcy not really skiable until above 50-meter (now more like 5-mater) bridge.
      • Road to Newcomb Lake good skiing with now 10" of cover.  Moose Pond now also good skiing. 
      • Fish Pond, Whiteface Landing and Hays Brook truck trails skiable.   
      • Lake Colden and  Avalanche Lake crossable, 
      • Whiteface Highway still skiable from the Toll House, but not all that enjoyable given that it is again being plowed (but still with a snowy surface) for work on the summit elevator. 
      • Keene Valley/Garden Parking has about 8" of cover and not really skiable to JBL.
      • Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake very skiable.  Snowmobile traffic makes the road actually passable for skate skiing, and there is a skied-in track for at least two miles along the side wherever there is room outside the snowmobile tracks.
      • Mr. Van Trail skiable from the Loj with Marcy Brook solidly frozen.  More snow would be nice, but the few trees on that stretch are now cleared.  
      • ___________________________________________________________________
        • 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) - 6" 
          •               Off track snow depth - 8"
                          Inches New Snow - 2
                          Surface Conditions - Powder
                          Km Open - 50
                          Km Tracked - 50
          •               Remarks -  
          •      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) -  6" 
          •               Off track snow depth - 8"
                          Inches New Snow - 2
                          Surface Conditions -  Powder 
                          Km Open -15
                          Km Tracked - 10
                          Remarks - 
        •            Paul Smith's VIC:  www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==
                     20 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, 
                                 Base Depth (packed) - 7"
        •                        Off track snow depth:  10"
                                  Inches New Snow 3
                                 Surface Conditions - Powder 
                                 Km Open - 20
                                 Km Tracked - 15
                                 Remarks - All trails open and packed.   
        •                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) - 3-5"
                                  Inches New Snow - 2
                                  Surface conditions - Powder
                                  Km Open -10
        •                         Km Tracked - 8
                                  Remarks -  Good skiing with track set on the lower trails.  Upper trails still ungroomed but skiable to the top.

                           Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
                       10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
                       http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
        • All trails groomed with track set on most.
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Conditions 1/3/2018

1/3/2018

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  • Update Saturday, 1/5:  Brutally cold today, but warming starting tomorrow with normal to slightly above normal temperatures for the rest of the week.  Snow showers possible most days, but no major new snow in sight.  Also, see update to Whiteface Highway conditions. 
  • INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 
  •      Still not much change in conditions from 12/31.  A few more inches of fluffy powder on the trails, but not enough to make any major change.  Warmer tomorrow, Thursday, but cooling off again on Friday; and Saturday will be the coldest day yet with highs only about -10.  Warming a bit for Sunday, and then possibly even hitting 30 on Tuesday. The coastal storm so far does not appear to be likely to produce all that much snow in the ADKs, but last March's blizzard started that way in the forecasts - except then the storm took an unexpected swerve of the left and we got 3-4 feet.  Stay tuned.  As of Thursday evening, it appears we will only get a few inches from the storm that has pummeled the coast.  We won't, however, escape the severe temps and wind chills for Friday and Saturday.  A bit warmer on Sunday still.  Now looking ahead in the weather. a slight cooling on Wednesday from Tuesday's "balmy" temperatures, but then back up to more "normal" January temperatures on next Thursday.
    • JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
      •               Base Depth - 4-8" 
      •               Surface Conditions - Powder
                             Km Open - 50 km
  •                        Remarks -  Hills still require some caution, but the few hazards are easy to avoid.  Also good news seems to be that the cold weather kept the "Christmas postholers" inside their condos.

    • BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                    Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 24"
                    Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  3-4'  
                    Surface Conditions: Powder
              Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.  Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere.  Good traction still required for the steeper mountain trails.           
      • Truck trail still the recommended choice over the hiking trail to Marcy Dam, but hiking trail can be skied, starting on the Old Marcy Dam Trail.  Boulders below Avalanche Camp now mostly covered. Overall, good skiing if still a bit lumpy - especially the lower parts of the Avalanche Pass ski trial and between Avalanche Pass and Marcy Dam.  Trees on the Old Marcy Dam Trail and on the Avalanche Pass ski trail now cleared.
      • Wright Peak and Marcy need a bit more new snow to be really skiable. 
      • Road to Newcomb Lake good skiing with now 10" of cover.  Moose Pond now probably good skiing. 
      • Fish Pond, Whiteface Landing and Hays Brook truck trails skiable.   
      • Lake Colden and  Avalanche Lake crossable, Given the temperatures and the wind predicted for this weekend, crossing these lakes will likely require a face mask and goggles since the conditions there will be much like the alpine summits.
      • Whiteface Highway skiable from the Toll House, but not all that enjoyable given the wind and temperature predictions.  Will have better weather after Sunday, 1/7; but a recent Facebook post indicates it is again being plowed for work on the summit elevator.  Sorry for missing this change, but once other areas become good skiing we don't regularly check the Highway.
      • Keene Valley/Garden Parking has about 8" of cover and not really skiable to JBL.
      • Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake very skiable.  Snowmobile traffic makes the road actually passable for skate skiing, and there is a skied-in track for two miles along the side wherever there is room outside the snowmobile tracks.
      • Mr. Van Trail skiable from the Loj with Marcy Brook solidly frozen.  More snow would be nice, but the few trees on that stretch are now cleared.  
      • ___________________________________________________________________
        • 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) - 6" 
          •               Off track snow depth - 8"
                          Inches New Snow - 2
                          Surface Conditions - Powder
                          Km Open - 50
                          Km Tracked - 35
          •               Remarks -  
          •      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) -  6" 
          •               Off track snow depth - 8"
                          Inches New Snow - 2
                          Surface Conditions -  Powder 
                          Km Open -13
                          Km Tracked - 8
                          Remarks - Narrow wind-sheltered trails will be the best choice for the coming  weekend.  Also, a nice big fireplace with bar/restaurant to help with the warm-up after skiing
        •            Paul Smith's VIC:  www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==
                     15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, 
                                 Base Depth (packed) - 7"
        •                        Off track snow depth:  10"
                                  Inches New Snow 2
                                 Surface Conditions - Powder 
                                 Km Open - 15
                                 Km Tracked - 10
                                 Remarks - All trails open and packed.   
        •                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) - 3-5"
                                  Inches New Snow - 2
                                  Surface conditions - Powder
                                  Km Open -10
        •                         Km Tracked - 8
                                  Remarks -  Good skiing with track set on the lower trails.  Upper trails now open with some thin spots.

                           Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
                       10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
                       http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
        • All trails groomed with track set where the snow is deep enough
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    Trail Conditions

    Trail conditions are updated frequently during the season, but always check local weather conditions as well before departing on your trip.

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