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Conditions 2/28/2014

2/28/2014

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
After a day of checking, it seems that 1-2" we received in snow squalls Thursday afternoon did more good than one would have expected. The best skiing will still be at the groomed centers, as packed ungroomed areas remain very fast, and unbroken areas have a thin breakable crust. The exception is that last weekend it never warmed up all that much at the elevation of Lake Colden, so skiing there and higher on Marcy is still pretty good - if a bit faster than with true powder conditions.
Temperatures will start off below zero before warming to the low 20s. Sunday through Wednesday will remain below normal with a continuing chance of light snow. Some warming possible by the end of the coming week

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS: Base Depth - 8-12""
Surface Conditions - powder on frozen granular
Km Open - 50

Remarks - All sections skiable, but great care is needed as all downhills are very fast. Descent to McKenzie Pond skiable but still not really recommended until we get a report that more than an inch of new snow fell there.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 30"
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 5-6'
Surface Conditions: Packed powder and crust
Remarks: Snow at the stake at Lake Colden has settled back from its earlier depth, but coverage on the trails is still good. Skis or snowshoes now required for all travel in the High Peaks and definitely needed everywhere else. Slides are definitely very dangerous as the snow of two weeks ago fell on ice or smooth crust; and last week's snow just added more weight to an already unstable situation.

Ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden definitely crossable, and the firm wind-packed powder means still no slush problems there. All other smaller bodies of water safe to cross, just be very careful around inlets or outlets. Both the Avalanche Pass and Calamity Brook approaches to Lake Colden remain in generally good shape once one get close to the lakes. Otherwise faster than usual conditions. Unbridged streams have refrozen, including the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.

Otherwise, all popular backcountry routes (Newcomb Lake, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Raquette Falls, Ausable Lake Rd., Whiteface Landing) have cover and are skiable. Best bet is the Newcomb Lake road as it is wide, smooth gentle and has all of two inches of new snow.

Meadow Lane now closed for the winter. Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.
Marcy Dam Truck Trail and Old Marcy Dam Trail from the Loj skiable with caution.

Fish Pond Truck Trail: Blowdowns have been cleared. There was slush on the lakes and ponds before the rain. The coming cold weather may now be able to freeze the slush and make for good skiing again.
Whiteface Highway: Given the wind recently there may be some areas blown clear - otherwise good cover. Be prepared for strong winds and cold temperatures.
Marcy trail still be a bit rough between Marcy Dam and the Phelps Mt. trail junction, but good cover above there with enough new snow to make skiing merely faster than usual. Downed trees below Indian Falls have now been cleared. Thanks to Ron Konowitz, Katie Tyler, and Colden Caretaker Sean Platt.

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