INTRODUCTION
Well, after our "Christmas miracle" the Grinch ultimately came back with a vengeance Friday night and then returned on New Years Eve with another night of temperatures well above freezing and strong winds. As was said in an earlier report, I hope everyone jumped on the nice early season conditions.
There will now be very little snow in any open areas or on south-facing slopes. other areas have held a base, but it will be too icy once the temperatures fall back below freezing. We could see a bit of snow as the temperatures drop, but the rest of the week only has a 30-40% chance of snow showers. Wednesday will be quite cold with high only 20 degrees or less, but then warming up to be a bit above freezing Friday through Sunday. Next update on Friday, 1/4, when we know if the snow showers amounted to much and just what the weekend weather will be.
The only good news from these thaws is that now some frost can finally get into the ground and freeze up many of the little seeps that have been plaguing backcountry trails up until now. Lake ice will also be able to thicken without the snow cover. This will improve backcountry for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, expect icy conditions anywhere outside of the groomed centers. For hiking, traction is essential for any even moderately steep trails, and snowshoes may still be needed on unbroken terrain to prevent breaking through the breakable crust. Stream crossings will be difficult with ice-covered rocks showing as the water goes back down.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS Base depth: 0-4"
X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:
Dewey Mountain - Saranac Lake
Well, after our "Christmas miracle" the Grinch ultimately came back with a vengeance Friday night and then returned on New Years Eve with another night of temperatures well above freezing and strong winds. As was said in an earlier report, I hope everyone jumped on the nice early season conditions.
There will now be very little snow in any open areas or on south-facing slopes. other areas have held a base, but it will be too icy once the temperatures fall back below freezing. We could see a bit of snow as the temperatures drop, but the rest of the week only has a 30-40% chance of snow showers. Wednesday will be quite cold with high only 20 degrees or less, but then warming up to be a bit above freezing Friday through Sunday. Next update on Friday, 1/4, when we know if the snow showers amounted to much and just what the weekend weather will be.
The only good news from these thaws is that now some frost can finally get into the ground and freeze up many of the little seeps that have been plaguing backcountry trails up until now. Lake ice will also be able to thicken without the snow cover. This will improve backcountry for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, expect icy conditions anywhere outside of the groomed centers. For hiking, traction is essential for any even moderately steep trails, and snowshoes may still be needed on unbroken terrain to prevent breaking through the breakable crust. Stream crossings will be difficult with ice-covered rocks showing as the water goes back down.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS Base depth: 0-4"
- Surface Conditions: Frozen granular
- Km Open -
- Remarks - No section really recommended until we get more snow.
- BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS
- Snow depth at Lake Colden: 16" (report as of 12/27)
- Snow depth at 4,000 feet - 2-3 feet
- Hiking trail from Adirondak Loj not skiable. Truck trail maybe skiable, but not recommended.
- Avalanche Pass has cover, but is too icy to be skiable. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are crossable with care, but stay well away from inlets or outlets after these thaws.
- Marcy and Wright Peak were skiable higher up and still have a base once we get more snow.
- All of the truck trail skis (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, etc.) are too icy to be recommended.
- Whiteface Highway - Still being plowed
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking - Not skiable.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake: Also too icy to be skiable.
- Newcomb area has at least 4-6 inches of base snow, so Newcomb Lake Road could be skiable with a few inches of new snow.
- Gulf Brook Road to Boreas Ponds has good cover, and the parking area is now being plowed. Also will be skiable with some more snow.
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) -3" - Off track snow depth - 8"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - Frozen granular - Km Open - 1
Km Tracked - Remarks - Skiing limited to the Mini Loop
- 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 - 8"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - Groomed granular
Km Open - 8
Km Tracked - 5
Remarks - Some short icy patches, but also some nice set track. Definitely the best choice until we get more snow. - 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) - 6"- Off track snow depth: 10"
Inches New Snow:
Surface Conditions - Frozen granular
Km Open - 30
Km Tracked -
- Off track snow depth: 10"
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) - - Inches New Snow -
Surface conditions -
Km Open - - Km Tracked
Remarks - Closed until conditions improve
Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
No current report
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