INTRODUCTION
Not the Christmas week wanted, but at least the ground is still white (mostly) and there is a chance of up to 2" of new snow today, Monday. That much new snow would make at least some of the gentler terrain skiable. Unfortunately, the current forecast doesn't look particularly good for Thursday and Friday, but so far it only looks like a "wintry mix" and not the meltdown we experienced last Friday. The only good news from this thaw is that now some frost can finally get into the ground and freeze up many of the little seeps that have been plaguing backcountry trails up until now. Lake ice will also be able to thicken without the snow cover. This will improve backcountry for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, expect icy conditions on all hiking trails that have been previously broken out, and a breakable crust on previously unbroken sections. Traction essential for any even moderately steep trails, and snowshoes still needed on unbroken terrain. Stream crossings will be difficult with ice-covered rocks showing as the water goes back down.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS Base depth: 2-6"
Not the Christmas week wanted, but at least the ground is still white (mostly) and there is a chance of up to 2" of new snow today, Monday. That much new snow would make at least some of the gentler terrain skiable. Unfortunately, the current forecast doesn't look particularly good for Thursday and Friday, but so far it only looks like a "wintry mix" and not the meltdown we experienced last Friday. The only good news from this thaw is that now some frost can finally get into the ground and freeze up many of the little seeps that have been plaguing backcountry trails up until now. Lake ice will also be able to thicken without the snow cover. This will improve backcountry for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, expect icy conditions on all hiking trails that have been previously broken out, and a breakable crust on previously unbroken sections. Traction essential for any even moderately steep trails, and snowshoes still needed on unbroken terrain. Stream crossings will be difficult with ice-covered rocks showing as the water goes back down.
JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS Base depth: 2-6"
- Surface Conditions: Frozen granular
- Km Open - ??
- Remarks - All sections were skiable, but no section can be recommended until we get more snow.
- BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS
- Snow depth at Lake Colden: 20"
- Snow depth at 4,000 feet - 3-4 feet
- Hiking trail from Adirondak Loj not really skiable. Truck trail possibly skiable, but hardly recommended.
- Avalanche Pass is not really skiable. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are crossable with care, but stay well away from inlets or outlets after Friday's thaw.
- Marcy and Wright Peak were skiable higher up and still have a base once we get more snow.
- All of the truck trail skis (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Fish Pond, etc.) were fully skiable and will be again once we get more snow.
- Whiteface Highway - Still being plowed
- Keene Valley/Garden Parking - Not skiable.
- Lake Road to Lower Ausable Lake: Not skiable even after getting past the bare areas at the start.
- Newcomb area has 4-6 inches of snow, so Newcomb Lake Road will be skiable with a few new inches.
- Boreas Ponds also covered, but no current plowing of the off- road parking, and the road may not have been broken out.
- 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" - Off track snow depth - 4"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - Frozen granular - Km Open - 6
Km Tracked 0 - Remarks - Good skating on the flats
- 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 - 4"
Inches New Snow -
Surface Conditions - Frozen granular
Km Open - 8
Km Tracked -
Remarks - - Paul Smith's VIC: www.trailhub.org/trail/generatepdf?orgid=TXpFMA==&actid=TVRVPQ==
- 30 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241,
Base Depth (packed) - 12"- Off track snow depth: 6"
Inches New Snow:
Surface Conditions - Frozen granular
Km Open - 9 trail open with caution
Km Tracked -
- Off track snow depth: 6"
- 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 -
Surface conditions -
Km Open - - Km Tracked
Remarks - Closed until conditions improve
Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
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