Blog Archives - Jackrabbit Ski Trail

Conditions 4/29/13

4/29/2013

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: After a week sort of "on hold" this week spring will truly arrive. The streams will again be running high with snow melt, and by the end of the week snow should be pretty much gone below 3,000 feet even on north-facing slopes and gone below 4,000 feet on south-facing slopes. Trails will be muddy on the approaches and anywhere there isn't still snow or ice. Given that the ski season is over except for the hardest of the die-hards, time to think about drier, lower elevation trails where one won't do too much damage. Snowshoes will, however, continue to be needed for higher elevation travel into May; and the remaining snow can be quite rotten with this warm weather, so even skis or snowshoes may not keep one on the surface. Travel can thus be very slow. And as we end the season, we hope you have found these reports useful. If you haven't already contributed, consider hitting the "Donate" button on the web site or sending a check to: ASTC, P.O. Box 843, Lake Placid, NY 12946.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth -
Surface Conditions -
Km Open -
Remarks -

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden:
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 3-4 feet
Surface Conditions: spring surfaces
Remarks: Snow cover as noted above.
* Skis and snowshoes still required at higher elevations in the High Peaks Wilderness Area.
* Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
* No lake ice is safe. .
* Time to think about lower level hiking trails on south-facing slopes that have dried out. Bald Peak from New Russia, Rooster Comb and Little Porter in Keene Valley are possibilities for this weekend. Also, many nice hikes in the southern Adirondacks that are worth trying until mid-May
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Conditions 4/19/13

4/19/2013

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: This past week spring really arrived. The streams have been running high with snow melt. Thursday night was warm and windy, and as of Friday morning it was already in the 60s. Friday night will be rainy, followed by cooler weather for the weekend, but the only snow left will be above 2,500-3,000 feet. Snow will remain for several more weeks at least on the higher summits, so snowshoes will continue to be needed for higher elevation travel into May. The remaining snow will be quite rotten with this warm weather, so even skis or snowshoes may not keep one on the surface. Travel can thus be very slow. And as we end the season, we hope you have found these reports useful. If you haven't already contributed, consider hitting the "Donate" button on the web site or sending a check to: ASTC, P.O. Box 843, Lake Placid, NY 12946.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth -
Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
Km Open - ?
Remarks - Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass still had cover as of Thursday, but that's about it for the Jackrabbit Trail this season.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 15"
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 3-4 feet
Surface Conditions: spring surfaces
Remarks: As noted above snow pretty much melted below 2,500 feet. Streams are high, and unbridged crossings will be difficult. Calamity Brook approach has some rotten snow, but no longer a good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.
* Skis and snowshoes still required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.
* Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
* No lake ice is safe. .
* Time to think about lower level hiking trails on south-facing slopes that have dried out. Bald Peak from New Russia, Rooster Comb and Little Porter in Keene Valley are possibilities for this weekend.
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Conditions 4/15/13

4/15/2013

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: While it has felt like Spring for parts of some days this past week, overall it's been cold enough that there was relatively little melting in the backcountry or in sheltered wooded areas. Still 4-6 inches of snow in wooded areas around Lake Placid, but open areas are mostly bare. All cross-country centers are closed for the season, but Van Hoevenberg still has good cover on most trails, especially the Porter Mountain Loops and it is being skied. This week spring really does arrive with temperatures 50-60 each day and nighttime lows only in the 30s. Additionally, showers predicted for Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday (high could be 70) will end most skiing by the end of the week. Snow will remain for several more weeks at least on the higher summits, so snowshoes will continue to be needed for higher elevation travel into May.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 0-10 inches
Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
Km Open - 5
Remarks - Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass still skiable, but that's about it for the Jackrabbit Trail this season.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 22"
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4 feet
Surface Conditions: spring surfaces
Remarks: Little melting this past week, so still good cover and definitely still winter conditions once one is past Marcy Dam. Hiking trail from ADK Loj now definitely not skiable, but truck trail remains mostly skiable with just a few bare spots on the south-facing hills. Calamity Brook approach remains skiable, but no recent reports on whether there is still a good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.
* Skis and snowshoes still required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.
* Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
* Lake ice on Colden and Avalanche Lake remains but is not likely safe, nor is any other lake's ice safe. .
* Other popular tours including Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, and Moose Pond (at least 6" in Newcomb), still have cover, but will not likely last through the weekend and into the coming week.
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Conditions 4/12/13

4/12/2013

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: While it has felt like Spring for parts of some days this past week, overall it's been cold enough that there was relatively little melting in the backcountry or in sheltered wooded areas. Thus we'll continue to see "spring surfaces" prevailing - a bit "crispy" each morning until it warms up. Still 4-6 inches of snow in wooded areas around Lake Placid, but open areas are mostly bare. All cross-country centers are closed for the season, but Van Hoevenberg still has good cover on most trails, especially the Porter Mountain Loops and it is being skied. Today, Friday, has seen a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, but no significant accumulation. Weekend weather will be cloudy with additional chances for mixed precipitation. It is now predicted to warm into the 50s later next week, but if you don't mind the weather there is still skiing for this weekend.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 0-10 inches
Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
Km Open - 10
Remarks - Old Mountain Road section getting thin, but still skiable. Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass still in good shape. No report on the hill down to McKenzie Pond, but probably not skiable all the way to the pond. Thin and with too many bare spots starting in from McKenzie Pond Rd.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 26"
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4 feet
Surface Conditions: spring surfaces
Remarks: Little melting this past week, so still good cover and definitely still winter conditions once one is past Marcy Dam. Hiking trail from ADK Loj now definitely not skiable, but truck trail remains mostly skiable with just a few bare spots on the south-facing hills. Calamity Brook approach remains skiable, but no recent reports on whether there is still a good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.
* Skis and snowshoes still required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.
* Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
* Lake ice on Colden and Avalanche Lake remains but is not likely safe, nor is any other lake's ice safe. .
* Other popular tours including Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, and Moose Pond (at least 6" in Newcomb), still have cover that should last through the weekend and into the coming week.
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Conditions 4/8/13

4/8/2013

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Cold enough weather over the past weekend that there was relatively little melting in the backcountry or in sheltered wooded areas. This week will be a bit warmer with some rain showers, but there will still be snow cover in many places by the end of the week. Thus we'll see "spring surfaces" prevailing - a bit "crispy" each morning until it warms up. Still 4-6 inches of snow in wooded areas around Lake Placid, but open areas are mostly bare. All cross-country centers are closed for the season, but Van Hoevenberg still has good cover on most trails and even some recent grooming - ski at your own risk.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 0-10 inches
Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
Km Open - 30
Remarks - Old Mountain Road section getting thin, but Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass still in good shape. No report on the hill down to McKenzie Pond, but probably not skiable all the way to the pond. Thin and with too many bare spots starting in from McKenzie Pond Rd.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 32"
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-4-1/2 feet
Surface Conditions: spring surfaces
Remarks: Little melting this week, so still good cover and definitely still winter once one is past Marcy Dam. The Marcy trail not really skiable for the 1.2 mi. above Marcy Dam. Hiking trail from ADK Loj now definitely not skiable, but truck trail remains skiable. Calamity Brook approach is skiable, and tracks lead to the one good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.
* Skis and snowshoes still required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.
* Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
* Lake ice on Colden and Avalanche Lake remains solid, but no other lake should be assumed to be safe. .
* Other popular tours including Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, and Moose Pond, still have cover that should last through the coming week.
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Conditions 4/5-4/7

4/5/2013

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Cold weather has returned, but it will still be above freezing every day and cold at night. Thus we'll see "spring surfaces" prevailing - a bit "crispy" each morning until it warms up. It never went that far above freezing, so little melting this week. Still 4-6 inches of snow in wooded areas around Lake Placid, but open areas are mostly bare. Warming to about 50 under sunny skies on Saturday, then a chance of snow Saturday night, changing to rain as a warm front moves in on Sunday with temperatures in the 50s under cloudy skies. Daytime temperatures next week will be in the 50s, with a chance of rain most days through the middle of the week. All cross-country centers are closed for the season, but Van Hoevenberg still has good cover on most trails - ski at your own risk.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 0-10 inches
Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
Km Open - 30
Remarks - Old Mountain Road section and Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass still in good shape. No report on the hill down to McKenzie Pond, but probably not skiable all the way to the pond. Thin and with too many bare spots starting in from McKenzie Pond Rd.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 36"
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 - 5 feet
Surface Conditions: spring surfaces
Remarks: Last week we were reporting mid-winter conditions, but they were just barely "mid-winter", so the approaches to the backcountry have deteriorated over the past weekend. Little melting this week, so still good cover and definitely still winter once one is past Marcy Dam. The Marcy trail is still a bit rough for the 1.2 mi. above Marcy Dam. Hiking trail from ADK Loj now definitely not skiable, but truck trail remains skiable. Calamity Brook approach is skiable, and tracks lead to the one good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.
* Skis and snowshoes still required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.
* Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
* Lake ice on Colden and Avalanche Lake remains solid, but no other lake should be assumed to be safe. .
* Of the other popular tours including Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, and Moose Pond, still have cover that should last through the coming weekend.
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Conditions 4/2/13

4/2/2013

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS: Cold weather has returned, but it will still be above freezing every day and cold at night. Thus we'll see "spring surfaces" prevailing. That means that surfaces will be a bit "crispy" each morning until it warms up. Still 4-6 inches of snow in wooded areas around Lake Placid, but open areas are mostly bare. Warming to about 50 by Friday and through the coming weekend, but no significant loss of snow through this period. Next update on Friday, 4/5 when we have a better idea of the weekend weather.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
Base Depth - 0-10 inches
Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
Km Open - 30
Remarks - Old Mountain Road section and Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass still in good shape. No report on the hill down to McKenzie Pond. Thin cover for the first mile toward McKenzie Pond from McKenzie Pond Rd.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 36"
Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 - 5 feet
Surface Conditions: spring surfaces
Remarks: Last week we were reporting mid-winter conditions, but they were just barely "mid-winter", so the approaches to the backcountry have deteriorated over the weekend. Still good cover and definitely still winter once one is past Marcy Dam, although the Marcy trail is still a bit rough for the 1.2 mi. above Marcy Dam. Hiking trail from ADK Loj now definitely not skiable, but truck trail remains skiable. Calamity Brook approach is skiable, and tracks lead to the one good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.
* Skis and snowshoes still required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.
* Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
* Lake ice on Colden and Avalanche Lake remains solid, but no other lake should be assumed to be safe. .
* Of the other popular tours, Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, and Moose Pond, still have cover that should last through the coming weekend.
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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 - 6" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
Km Open -
Km Tracked -
Remarks - Closed for the season, but good cover on most of the system. Ski at your own risk.
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 - 6" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
Km Open -
Km Tracked -
Remarks - Closed for the season.

    Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
Base Depth -
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions -
Km Open -
Km Tracked -
Remarks - Closed for the season

Paul Smith's VIC:
15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
Base Depth - 2-12" (packed)
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - powder
Km Open -
Km Tracked -
Remarks - No recent report. As of 3/29 all trails except the Esker Trail were open

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 -
Inches New Snow -
Surface conditions
Km Open -
Km Tracked -
Remarks - Lodge closed for the season. Lower trails still have some cover.

Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course
http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
No recent report.