Conditions 2/18/13

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:   While we generally picked up 12-15 inches of very light snow in the Lake Placid area last Friday, there was a surprising amount of "shadowing" - in particular with less snow falling at ADK Loj and the approaches to the High Peaks.  This past week's warmer daytime temperatures did not significantly diminish the snow, so no real change in the conditions for over a week now.  No significant new snow in the forecast for this week, but temperatures will climb briefly to near 40 on Tuesday, after which we can expect seasonable temperatures with some light snow for the rest of the week and into next weekend.   Next update on Wednesday, 2/20 when we know just how warm it got on Tuesday and have a better idea of the week's weather.
  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 10-20 inches
                Surface Conditions - powder and crust              Km Open - 50
                Remarks -  Entire trail skiable.  Caution still required on downhills as are still some hazards not fully covered.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 33"
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 feet 
                Surface Conditions:  powder with underlying frozen granular
                Remarks: As noted above, the extreme shadowing resulted in only 4" of new snow last week at ADK Loj.  Hiking trail not really skiable, so the truck trail is definitely the best ski approach to Marcy Dam.  Even so, some rocks still showing on the truck trail - especially on one corner not quite a mile from the register.  Still some rocks to dodge from Marcy Dam to Avalanche Camp, but after that Avalanche Pass is in good shape.   Calamity Brook trail and Flowed Lands also skiable with only a few tricky crossings of small streams.  Still too thin to ski the lower part of the Marcy Trail, but skiable snow above 50 meter bridge.  Likewise, Wright Peak only skiable above the junction with the hiking trail.  Northside Trail to Johns Brook Lodge passable on skis, but not recommended due to numerous rocks and roots still showing. 
  Skis and snowshoes definitely 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 generally safe and slush free, although care is needed at the outlet of Avalanche Lake.  Lake surfaces rough and bumpy due to drifting.
    • All other popular tours (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Raquette Falls, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, Moose Pond, Ausable Lake Road) in good shape.  Whiteface Highway reported to be very thin for about half its length due to the wind.  Especially thin or even bare above the Lake Placid Turn.  
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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 -  powder with granular
                  Km Open - 50
                  Km Tracked - 47 
  •               Remarks - Outer Loop of Ladies 5km still a bit rough.
  • 
         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 -  powder with 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 -  2-3" (packed)    
                  Inches New Snow - 
                  Surface Conditions -  powder and granular
                  Km Open - 10
                  Km Tracked - 10
                  Remarks -  Open all this week 2/16 - 2/24
    
         Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
  •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun. (daily during holiday weeks), rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                  Base Depth -  4" (packed)   
                  Inches New Snow - 
  •               Surface Conditions - powder with granular
                  Km Open -  10
                  Km Tracked - 10
                  Remarks - Open Monday and Tuesday this coming week
  
             Paul Smith's VIC:
             15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                         Base Depth - 4-6" (packed)
                          Inches New Snow -  1
                         Surface Conditions - powder
                         Km Open - 20
                         Km Tracked - 10
                         Remarks - All loops open. 15" inches off trail depth
  
                 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 - 5" (packed)
                          Inches New Snow - 
                          Surface conditions -  powder and granular
                          Km Open -  13
                          Km Tracked - 
                          Remarks -  Upper trails still have thin cover.
  
                   Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
               10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
               http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
                            All trails packed.  No set track.