Conditions 1/12/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  With settling and some melting we now have12-18" of snow on the ground in the Lake Placid.  So far, we haven't had as much rain as predicted, and today, Saturday, looks to be mostly dry with temperatures around 40.   It will stay warm through the weekend and into next week with unfortunately a near certain chance of rain on Sunday. It doesn't appear that we will lose all of the accumulated snow, and trying to be positive, this warm spell could settle the light fluffy snow we have to make a good base while also helping the lakes to finally freeze all the slush.  It will cool off by Wednesday with some snow showers before next weekend, so don't count this season out just yet.  Meanwhile, "ski it while you can."

 Tupper Lake's free groomed trails have 6-12" of base with good skiing.

• JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
                Base Depth - 10-20 inches
                Surface Conditions -Wet powder and crust
                Km Open - 50
                Remarks -  Still a bit marginal with some wet areas from McKenzie Pond Road to Saranac Lake, but the rest of the trail is in great shape. 
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 25 inches
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 3-4 feet
                Surface Conditions: Wet powder and crust
                Remarks: Hiking trail from ADK Loj to Marcy Dam is skiable but marginal, so the Truck Trail is still the better choice. If skiing from the Loj, the old Marcy Dam Trail is the better route, but with the warm conditions the hiking trail will likely be getting rougher by the hour this weekend.  Avalanche Pass is in generally good shape. Still some rocks to dodge between the dam and Avalanche Camp.  Calamity Brook Trail has a few wet areas, but is  now skiable with skiers and snowshoers crossing Flowed Lands.
• Skiers and snowshoers are crossing both Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden. Slush under the snow less of a problem with the warm weather (at least it won't freeze on your skis), and with the snow settled on the ice it should freeze solidly when it finally gets cold again.  Caution definitely required near inlets and outlets.  Other lakes may be safe, but no definite reports of any other lake crossings.
• Marcy now skiable above 50 meter bridge. Below that point, rock avoidance has been described as "technical".  Wright Peak skiable above the junction with the hiking trail.  Skis and snowshoes are now required in the High Peaks and needed elsewhere. 
• Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.  
• Otherwise, all the early season favorites including Connery Pond, Whiteface Highway , Newcomb Lake, Fish Pond, Raquette Falls, and Hays Brook are skiable.   Should also mention that the Lake Road to the Lower Ausable Lake is skiable and the trail to Johns Brook Lodge is skiable, but with more rough spots than last weekend. 
  
  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 - 10" (packed)  
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - wet powder and granular
                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 - 8"      
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - wet powder and granular
                Km Open - 20
                Km Tracked - 15
                Remarks - 
  
       Lake Placid Club Nordic Center: (part of Lake Placid Crowne Plaza)
•     10 km of trails, open holiday weeks and some weekends, rentals, 518-523-2556,  www.lakeplacidcp.com
                Base Depth -  6-8"     
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - wet powder and granular
                Km Open -10 km
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks -  Trails will continue to be groomed, but the center is closed for the next few weeks.   
  
       Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
•     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (daily during holiday weeks), rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                Base Depth - 12"       
                Inches New Snow -
                Surface Conditions - wet powder and granular
                Km Open -10
                Km Tracked - 10
                Remarks -      

           Paul Smith's VIC:
           15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                       Base Depth - 6-8" (packed)  (16" off trail)
                        Inches New Snow -
                       Surface Conditions -wet powder and granular
                       Km Open - 15
                       Km Tracked -15
                       Remarks -   Great Skiing!