Conditions 1/2/15

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 

• • Lake effect snow spread to Tupper Lake and Paul Smiths with 6" in both places.  Only 2-3" near Lake Placid.
  • Around freezing on Saturday and rain and some mixed precipitation on Sunday before again cooling down with more light snow possible.  
  • The only good that may come out of this thaw is that it will "reset" the process of ice formation on area lakes.  We thus may get some good thick ice before the next big snow, and this will minimize the chance of slush under the snow on lakes.
  
  
  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 4-8" (less where there were washouts
  •               Surface Conditions - Powder 
                         Km Open - 50 km now have sufficient cover, but surface conditions are not yet skiable between Keene and Saranac Lake.  Now good conditions between Lake Clear and Paul Smiths.
                 Remarks -  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 13"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet:  18" - 24"  
                Surface Conditions: Powder
            Meadow Lane now closed for the winter.  Adds nearly a mile each way on the Marcy Dam Truck Trail.  Skis or snowshoes required in the High Peaks, needed elsewhere.  Good traction still required for the steeper mountain trails.
•            BEST BET FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY:  Fish Pond Truck Trail.  It held a base and now has 6-7" of new snow covering up most ruts and post holes.  
  
  • All popular backcountry routes were skiable, but now only the gentler terrain can be recommended after the thaw. Trail to Marcy Dam from the Loj described as a "frozen sidewalk with muddy areas", and the new snow is not yet enough to change this.  Truck trail now much better.  Caretaker reported walking as much as skiing to get to the Colden cabin on Sunday and said many bare spots on Avalanche Pass will need more snow to be skiable.
  • Wright Peak and Marcy were skiable, but definitely need a lot more new snow to again be skiable.  For hikers, Marcy Brook at Indian Falls is probably "out" and could be difficult to cross.  
    
  • The Calamity Brook Trail was skiable, but probably not enough new snow to be any better than "negotiable" on skis - especially at the beginning.  
  • Road to Newcomb Lake still skiable and improved with the new snow.  Hills going to Moose Pond will still be fast. 
  • Connery Pond to Whiteface Landing remains skiable but still fast on the downhills
  • Lake Colden remains crossable, but avoid all inlets and the outlet.  Avalanche Lake can be crossed, but there was open water at the edges and at the outlet, so the trail is the safer choice.  Old Norse proverb: "Praise not the ice until it is crossed."
  • Whiteface Highway should be just skiable from the Toll House with a base starting a mile or so up.
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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 (packed) -  2-5" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 8"
                    Inches New Snow - 2-3"
                    Surface Conditions - Powder
                    Km Open - 45
                    Km Tracked - 25
    •               Remarks -   New set track on the flatter terrain.  All but Ladies 5 km reported as skiable. 
    •      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) -   3" 
    •               Off track snow depth - 8"
                    Inches New Snow - 3
                    Surface Conditions -  Powder 
                    Km Open -20
                    Km Tracked - 5
                    Remarks -  Grooming in progress.  Not enough snow for any new set track.
    • 
               Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
    •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. Rentals, 518-523-2551,
    • www.whitefaceclubresort.com
    •  Base Depth (packed) - 
                    Inches New Snow - 3"
    •               Surface Conditions -  Powder
                    Km Open -  7
                    Km Tracked - 
                    Remarks - Base remained on most areas. probably not enough new snow for set track.
    •              
    • Lake Placid Club Nordic Center  -  Open for Christmas week 12/26-1/4
    • 15 km of trails   518-523-2556
    •  Base Depth (packed) - 
                    Inches New Snow - 
    •               Surface Conditions -   
                    Km Open -  
                    Km Tracked - 
                    Remarks - New snow may help, but no base before these 2-3" of light snow..
    
               Paul Smith's VIC:
               20 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                           Base Depth (packed) - 2-4"
                           Off track snow depth:  8-10"
                            Inches New Snow 6-7
                           Surface Conditions - Powder
                           Km Open - 10
                           Km Tracked - 
                           Remarks - Light snow is being packed. Loggers Loop skiable.  More complete report after the first pass by the groomer.
    
                   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 - 3
                            Surface conditions - Powder
                            Km Open - 5
                            Km Tracked - 
                            Remarks -  New snow helps, but it's very light and may not be enough to open the upper trails.
    
                     Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
                 10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
                 http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
            6" new snow.  Should be enough for grooming, but we'll wait for a later report.