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.